Chinnor Exiles Res - League (09/09/2007)
2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft



The second game of the league season for Afc Hithercroft was a home fixture and took place in dry but breezy conditions. At the start of the game the skies were overcast but during the second half the sun broke through as the wind picked up. The visitors had no substitutes available and were also unable to provide a linesman and so Pam ran the line for them whilst Pat did so for Hithercroft. The referee was Mr D. Burford.

The game began at 10.32am with Hithercroft playing from left to right as viewed from the clubhouse. Just after ten minutes Baz David crossed the ball into the centre from out on the left and Frank Smith directed the ball with a superb header into the net to put Hithercroft 1-0 ahead. In the 20th minute Kevin Howell took the ball down the left wing, crossed it inside and Frank hit an acute-angled shot over the crossbar. Within 60 seconds, however, Hithercroft increased their lead when Baz turned and struck the ball 28 yards inside the right-hand post. Hithercroft were having most of the possession and had a number of corner kicks awarded but were unable to make the most of their chances. Baz needed attention to a leg injury in the 35th minute but was soon back on his feet. Shortly before the end of the first half the referee requested that one of the Exiles moderate his language, pointing out that there was a youngster present.

The second half began at 11.25am and after just 38 seconds Frank had hammered the ball into the Exiles’ net for a 3-0 lead. In the 6th minute of the half John Baldock crossed the ball from the right and Frank, from 18-yards out, sent the ball inside the right-hand upright for his hat trick and Hithercroft’s fourth goal. Immediately after the restart Baz intercepted a back-pass, took the ball down the left and hit a shot that was sent out of play by a defender. In the 61st minute of the game Hithercroft’s centre-back, Jason Guy, was shown a yellow card for reacting to the action of an Exiles player, even though Jason had not attempted to make contact with his opponent. In the 63rd minute Hithercroft sent on three substitutes, replacing Dan Birch, John Baldock and Lyle Edwards with Dan Allman, Ryan Forbes and Luke Revell. Two minutes later Kevin received a pass from Tyrone Francis and he hit a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box but the ball went a yard wide of the left-hand post. Kevin had another shot 60 seconds later but must have had the Rugby World Cup in mind as the ball went high over the crossbar. In the 71st minute Tyrone played the ball through to Baz and, as the keeper came forward, Baz sent the ball into the back of the net using an overhead kick to put Hithercroft 5-0 ahead. Two minutes later Baz, like Frank, completed his hat trick when he turned and hit the ball inside the left-hand post. Hithercroft came very close to increasing their 6-0 lead in the 86th minute when Baz lifted the ball over the keeper, only to see a defender get back to head the ball clear. One minute into added-time Ryan Forbes was given the ball near the left-hand corner of the 18-yard box and sent a curving shot that dipped just over the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Hithercroft had shown a great improvement over last week’s performance and had played extremely well but again a number of goal-scoring opportunities were missed. The Hithercroft defence had also done an excellent job in curtailing their opponent’s attacks forcing them to try a number of long-range shots. Our opponents had shown good sportsmanship overall in spite of having conceded so many goals.


Hithercroft scorers: Frank Smith (10m, 46m, 51m), Baz David (21m, 71m, 73m)

Hithercroft’s M.o.m: Frank Smith

Hithercroft team: Neil Stretton (GK), Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Dan Birch, Mark Charman, John Baldock, Lyle Edwards, Baz David, Frank Smith (Capt), Kevin Howell, Tyrone Francis
Hithercroft subs: Dan Allman, Ryan Forbes and Luke Revell replaced Dan Birch, John Baldock and Lyle Edwards (63m)
Unused subs: Mike Baldock and Kevin Midgley

Chinnor Athletic scorers: No.17 (6m), No.7 (13m, 29m), No.8 (20m)