Chinnor Athletic - League (27/04/2008)
2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft



Rain had been forecast for this game and, just before kick-off, there was distant thunder and a few drops of rain. However, although there were some short rainy spells during the first half the second half remained dry but there was a chilly wind throughout the game. Afc Hithercroft were without captain Frank Smith, keeper Neil Stretton and mid-fielder Dan Allman (who has stood-in for Neil on previous occasions this season). Fortunately Luke Revell, who had picked up a foot injury on the Saturday before last week’s game, came along expecting to just support his team but volunteered to take on the goal-keeping duties. Neither manager Pat Vaughey nor coach Brian Lewis were able to attend and so Kevin Howell organised the team. Ken Johnson ran the line for Hithercroft and the referee was Mr. R. Hey.

The game kicked off promptly at 10.30am with Hithercroft playing up the slight slope during the first half. On 9 minutes Baz David dispossessed a defender, ran into the 18-yard box but hit a shot straight at the Chinnor keeper. Four minutes later Jason Guy, the Hithercroft centre-back, had to receive treatment to a leg injury. In the 21st minute Josh Peters went into a sliding tackle, earning himself a talking-to from the referee but escaping a booking. The Chinnor player involved had to leave the pitch with an ankle injury and a substitute was brought on. On 24 minutes Kris Clark was booked by the referee for a dangerous tackle and a free-kick was then awarded to Chinnor. A long high shot was sent in but Luke leapt to tip the ball up onto the crossbar and out of play. On the half-hour Chinnor took the ball down the right, Luke came forward forcing the attacker wide, and as the ball was crossed in Luke went down to block the ball, regained his feet and then cleared the ball. Jason needed further treatment to his leg but was able to continue until the 40th minute when he had to leave the pitch for a few moments following a face injury. Luke again blocked a Chinnor shot in the 41st minute before Hithercroft sent the ball downfield, Baz responded to a call from Dan Birch to play the ball back and Dan struck a shot towards the bottom right-hand corner of the net, the keeper diving to push the ball wide.

At 11.21am the second half kicked off and, two minutes into the half, Kevin played the ball to Baz but Baz’s shot curved just outside the right-hand post. In the 49th minute Mark Charman had to come off the field with a knee injury and Jamal Blake went on as his replacement. On 62 minutes Chinnor played a long ball down the middle, Wayne Croxford ran on and chipped the ball over Luke, as he came forward, to put Chinnor 1-0 ahead. Two minutes later Chinnor made their second substitution replacing their No.10 with No.6. From a free-kick Chinnor sent the ball into the Hithercroft 18-yard box and their No.12 headed the ball against the crossbar. On 76 minutes Michael Louise went on to replace Kris Clark as Hithercroft made their final change. On 77 minutes Kevin Howell was shown a yellow-card by the referee. Two minutes later Hithercroft sent the ball into the Chinnor 18-yard box, the ball was hit high by a defender and Ryan Forbes ran in to chip the ball over the keeper’s head and then followed in to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. On 82 minutes Chinnor approached their opponent’s 18-yard box and Tyrone Francis came across to intercept bringing his hands up in front of his face for protection as the attacker blasted the ball at his head. The referee pointed to the penalty spot to the utter disbelief of the Hithercroft players. Ignoring the pleas of self-defence the referee refused to change his mind and the Chinnor No.7, Wayne Croxford, stepped forward to take the penalty. Luke chose the right direction to move and blocked the shot, deflecting the ball round the left-hand post. On 85 minutes the referee failed to award a free-kick to Hithercroft and Baz made an abusive remark to the referee so was shown a red card, leaving Hithercroft with just 10 players for the final five minutes. No further scoring took place and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Hithercroft had shown poor ball control, especially in the second half, but Luke Revell had put in an inspired performance in goal, all the more remarkable as he was still nursing a badly-bruised foot and had not expected to participate in today’s game.


Hithercroft scorers: Ryan Forbes (79m)

Hithercroft’s M.o.m: Luke Revell

Hithercroft team: Luke Revell (GK), Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Dan Birch, Mark Charman, Dave Ebberson, Ryan Forbes, Baz David, Kevin Howell, Josh Peters, Tyrone Francis
Hithercroft subs: Jamal Blake replaced Mark Charman (49m), Michael Louise replaced Kris Clark (76m)
Unused sub: Ken Johnson

Hirthercroft bookings: Kris Clark (24m), Kevin Howell (77m), Baz David sent off (85m)

Chinnor Athletic scorer: Wayne Croxford (62m)