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| Stokenchurch
- League Cup (18/11/2007) 2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft  Round 3 of the League Cup saw Afc Hithercroft return to the Stokenchurch ground where they had ended up as 4-1 losers with two players hospitalised earlier in the season. The weather was very cloudy and rain fell throughout the game. There was a very strong and cold wind blowing diagonally across the pitch with occasional very heavy gusting. Hithercroft goalkeeper, Neil Stretton, was unavailable for this match and so Dan Allman donned the green jersey. Pam ran the line for Hithercroft and the referee was Mr W. Harte. The game kicked off at 10.31am with the visiting team playing into the wind during the first half. After 15 minutes Hithercroft’s Baz David had to leave the field for treatment to a knee injury but he was able to return a couple of minutes later. In the 24th minute Frank Smith came close to opening the scoring when his free kick dipped down just over the Stokenchurch crossbar. The referee was keeping a tight rein on the game, awarding a number of free kicks for pushes and dodgy tackles. By the end of the first half neither side had been able to put the ball into their opponent’s net. The second half began at 11.21am with Kevin Howell trying his usual shot at goal from the kick-off but this time the ball went wide of the left-hand post. The deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute when Tyrone Francis played the ball through to Baz, who turned inside and hit the ball into the net to give Afc Hithercroft a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later Jason Guy was brought down illegally and the Stokenchurch No.14 had his name entered into the referee’s book. From a corner on the left in the 59th minute Baz sent the ball into the 18-yard box and, as the defenders failed to effectively clear the ball, Kris Clark hit the ball into the net to extend Hithercroft’s lead to 2-0. Hithercroft made two substitutions, in the 61st minute replacing Mike Baldock with Dan Birch, and in the 64th minute sent on Ryan Forbes to replace John Baldock. Five minutes later Hithercroft crossed the ball into the middle from the right and Kevin Howell struck the ball home to increase the lead to 3-0. One minute later Stokenchurch came close when their No.2 sent the ball just over the crossbar. In the 73rd minute Dwayne Blake took to the field, replacing Baz for Hithercroft. On 78 minutes Hithercroft were awarded a corner kick from the right and Frank sent it a strong ball. Kevin headed the ball towards goal but the keeper managed to push the ball out. However, Ryan Forbes collected it and struck the ball into the net to give Hithercroft a comfortable 4-0 lead. Stokenchurch had begun to win more goal-scoring opportunities towards the end of the game but were unable to capitalise on them. In the 87th minute Kevin pushed the ball forward to Ryan, Ryan sent it back and Kevin hit a shot that the keeper managed to block with an outstretched foot. At the final whistle Afc Hithercroft emerged 4-0 victors and so progress to the next round of the Cup. Congratulations go to Mr W. Harte, the referee, for missing very little and providing particularly good control. Hithercroft scorers: Baz David (51m), Kris Clark (59m), Kevin Howell (69m), Ryan Forbes (78m) Hithercroft’s M.o.m: Tyrone Francis Hithercroft team: Dan Allman (GK), Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Luke Revell, Mark Charman, Baz David, Frank Smith (Capt), Tyrone Francis, John Baldock, Mike Baldock, Kevin Howell Hithercroft subs: Dan Birch replaced Mike (61m), Ryan Forbes replaced John (64m), Dwayne Blake replaced Baz (73m) Unused sub: Ken Johnson |
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