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| Hithercroft
- League (03/02/2008) 2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft  It was sunny but cold with a gusty wind blowing along the Broomwade pitch for this game but it remained dry and the playing surface was firm but damp. Afc Hithercroft were without Tyrone Francis, who was resting an injured ankle that he sustained in last week’s game, and also Mark Charman. Ken Johnson, one of the three Afc Hithercroft subs available, ran the line for the visitors and the referee was Mr Ernie Moore. For the purposes of this report Afc Hithercroft will be referred to as Afc and their opponents will be called Croft. The game got under way at 10.33am with Afc Hithercroft having the wind behind them for the first half. After 2 minutes Afc were awarded a corner kick on the left and Frank Smith sent in a low ball that was mis-kicked by a defender and Kris Clark sent a header just outside the right-hand post. Afc’s Baz David collected a long ball in the 9th minute and took it just inside the 18-yard box before hitting a shot that the keeper pushed over the crossbar, pulling off an excellent save. From the resulting corner-kick Frank sent in a high ball but it landed on top of the Croft net. On 16 minutes Croft played the ball down the middle and their No.15 turned and hit an on-target shot but Neil Stretton dived to push the ball round the post. Five minutes later Afc played the ball forward to Baz, he turned inside and sent the ball into the middle from where Josh Peters collected it and struck the ball into the net to give Afc a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later their lead increased when Kevin Howell brought the ball in from the left, the Croft keeper came forward and Kevin struck a powerful shot. Although the keeper got his hands to the ball he was unable to prevent it from dropping into the far side of the net and so Afc went 2-0 ahead. On the half-hour mark Afc were awarded a free-kick 15 yards inside the Croft half and Kris hit a high ball forward, Kevin headed it on but the ball passed just outside the right-hand post. Five minutes later another long ball down the middle found Baz and he took it forward only to be tripped as he went between two Croft defenders just outside the 18-yard box. Frank’s free-kick went over the crossbar. Just before half-time Afc, in a flurry of activity in front of the Croft goal, were again denied a goal from Josh as the keeper blocked his shot. Croft made a substitution during the interval and began the second half at 11.24am now benefiting from the wind. In the 58th minute Josh played a well-targeted ball down the centre of the pitch and John Baldock ran in from the right but hit a shot wide of the Croft post. Afc then made a substitution, sending on Ryan Forbes to replace John. Two minutes later Croft sent in a curving corner-kick from the left but there were no Croft players able to get a touch as it went out on the far side for a goal kick. On 73 minutes Croft were awarded a free-kick in the middle of the pitch and just inside the Afc half. Their No.10, Lee Putnam, hit a high wind-assisted shot that hit the crossbar, came down behind the keeper and bounced into the net to reduce the gap to just one goal. Two minutes later Croft were again given a free-kick ten yards inside the Afc half and Lee tried to repeat his shot but Neil jumped up to push the ball over the crossbar. From the resulting corner the Croft No.6 sent in a high ball from the left and Sam Kobi came in on the far post to head the ball into the back of the net to level the score at 2-2. On 77 minutes Kris hit a free-kick from just inside the Afc half, Kevin headed the ball back to Baz and Baz’s shot went just outside the left-hand post. Croft then sent a ball down the right wing ahead of their No.22 but, with a remarkable turn of speed, Afc’s centre back Jason Guy raced across and played the ball off the No.22 to gain a goal kick. On 80 minutes Afc sent a long ball down the middle and, with Baz and Kevin closing fast, a Croft defender got a foot to the ball, sending it just wide of his own post. With 8 minutes remaining Croft made a further substitution whilst Baz was receiving attention off the pitch. Two minutes later Kevin sent a long ball from within his own half downfield to Baz but Baz pushed the ball a little too far ahead allowing the Croft keeper to come out and gather it. Croft were awarded a free-kick about 10 yards inside their opponents’ half and Lee again attempted to replicate his earlier goal but this time sent the ball high over the crossbar. When the final whistle went, neither side having improved on their two goals each, the result was a 2-2 draw. Afc Hithercroft scorers: Josh Peters (21m), Kevin Howell (24m) Afc Hithercroft’s M.o.m: Dan Allman Afc Hithercroft team: Neil Stretton (GK), Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Dave Ebberson, Luke Revell, Baz David, Frank Smith (Capt), Kevin Howell, Dan Allman, Josh Peters, John Baldock Afc Hithercroft subs: Ryan Forbes replaced John Baldock (58m) Afc’s unused subs: Mike Baldock, Ken Johnson Hithercroft scorers: Lee Putnam (73m), Sam Kobi (75m) |
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