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Cressex - League (10/02/2008) 2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft  Warm, sunny and dry were the weather conditions at the Pedestal for this season’s first meeting between the two sides, the pitch being damp but in fair condition. There were a few absentees from the home side who were playing in a new kit of blue and white striped shirts and blue shorts to avoid a colour clash. Ken Johnson ran the line for Afc Hithercroft and the referee was Mr S. Smith. Kick-off was at 10.37am with Hithercroft playing into the sun from right to left as viewed from the clubhouse. After 10 minutes Mark Charman played the ball out left to Ryan Forbes, Ryan took it on and crossed it into the middle where John Baldock got his head to it but sent the ball over the crossbar. One minute later Ryan pushed the ball forward to Baz David, who was just outside the 18-yard box, and Baz turned to strike the ball just wide of the left-hand post. Just before the end of the half Baz sent the ball inside, just behind Tyrone Francis, but Frank Smith followed in to hit a 16-yard shot that the diving keeper deflected round the right-hand post. At 11.31am the second half began, FC Cressex having made a substitution during the break. In the first minute of the half FC Cressex should have been awarded a penalty kick when one of their players was brought down in the 18-yard box but the referee missed it. (This evened-out as Baz had been brought down in the penalty area during the first half without recompense.) Afc Hithercroft continued to be awarded a number of free kicks in this half but were unable to capitalise on them. On 63 minutes they made a tactical substitution, sending on Dwayne Blake to replace John Baldock. Three minutes later the Cressex No.16 sent a corner-kick over from the left and Wayne Cato struck the ball just wide of the left-hand post. A Hithercroft shot was tipped over the crossbar by the Cressex keeper in the 68th minute but nothing came from the resulting corner kick. On 74 minutes Cressex’s Nathan Jones had his name entered in the referee’s book following a fierce tackle on Kris Clark. In the 83rd minute Cressex pushed the ball out to the left and Wayne turned in to put the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring. Two minutes later Cressex took the ball down the middle and, as keeper Neil Stretton came forward, Nathan chipped the ball over Neil’s head and into the net to put the visitors 2-0 up. Just before full-time Jason Guy had to leave the field with an injury and so Ken Johnson handed over the linesman’s flag to Brian Lewis and took to the field as a replacement. However, after playing three added minutes the game ended with FC Cressex emerging at 2-0 victors. Hithercroft had played well-below par and showed no fire or determination, being unable to cope with the compact defence of their opponents. Afc Hithercroft team: Neil Stretton (GK), Mike Baldock, Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Mark Charman, John Baldock, Baz David, Frank Smith (Capt), Tyrone Francis, Dan Allman, Ryan Forbes Afc Hithercroft subs: Dwayne Blake replaced John Baldock (63m) Ken Johnson replaced Jason Guy (90+1m) FC Cressex scorers: Wayne Cato (83m), Nathan James (85m) |
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