 |
||
| Thame
United Social Club - League (02/09/2007) 2007 - 2008 Season, Afc Hithercroft  Afc Hithercroft’s opening game of the league season took place in warm sunshine at Thame United Social Club’s ground in Southern Road. The grass was short and the pitch was flat and in good condition. For Hithercroft Pam ran the line in the first half and Pat took over for the second. The referee was Mr D. Hook. The game started at 10.33am and, after 3 minutes, from a throw-in six yards from the Hithercroft corner flag the ball went to the Thame No.11 who hit a shot wide of the post. In the 11th minute Thame played the ball down the middle and their No.4 hit a shot that Neil Stretton, the Hithercroft keeper, pushed over the crossbar. Three minutes later Baz David crossed the ball from the right wing into the middle and Frank Smith struck the ball from just outside the 18-yard box into the Thame net to put the visiting side 1-0 ahead. Hithercroft had a number of shots during this half but most were off-target or were easily collected by the goalkeeper. On 44 minutes Thame came close when they crossed the ball into the middle and their No.2, from about 8 yards out, dived low to head the ball a yard wide of the left-hand post. No substitutions were made during the interval and the second half got under way at 11.25am. After 8 minutes of play Dan Allman went on to replace Mike Baldock for Hithercroft and nine minutes later Tyrone Francis replaced Ryan Forbes. An equaliser came in the 25th minute of the half when the Thame No.14, Greg Stocker, ran toward the goal and Neil came forward; Greg pushed the ball to the left, went past Neil and hit the ball past Jason Guy, who had positioned himself on the goal-line, into the net. Seven minutes later Greg headed the ball just over the top left-hand corner of the Hithercroft net. Although the visitors mounted a number of attacks on the Thame goal they were unable to change the score-line and so, when the final whistle blew the game ended in a 1-1 draw. This had been a disappointing performance by Hithercroft, having once again failed to make the most of their shooting opportunities and the mid-field had failed to live up to their excellent performance of the previous week. A striker is most definitely required to take advantage of the penetration that Hithercroft so often make. Hithercroft scorer: Frank Smith (14m) Thame United Social Club scorer: Greg Stocker (70m) Hithercroft’s M.o.m: Josh Peters Hithercroft team: Neil Stretton (GK), Kris Clark, Jason Guy, Dan Birch, Mark Charman, Mike Baldock, Josh Peters, Baz David, Frank Smith (Capt), Kevin Howell and Ryan Forbes Hithercroft subs: Dan Allman replaced Mike Baldock (53m), Tyrone Francis replaced Ryan Forbes (62m) Unused subs: Mike Dewing (GK), Lyle Edwards, John Baldock |
||
 |
||