Bucks FC - League (02/11/2008)
2008 - 2009 Season, Afc Hithercroft



The weather was dull and chilly for Afc Hithercroft’s home game against Bucks FC, the current leaders of the division. Following hours of rain on Saturday the pitch was wet and rather muddy but held up reasonably well for the game. The referee was Mr C. Glennerster and Michael Louise ran the line for Hithercroft until he took to the field during the second half when Pat took over the flag.

The game kicked off at 10.31am with Afc Hithercroft playing from left to right when viewed from the clubhouse. After 2 minutes Bucks FC were awarded a free kick about 36 yards from the Hithercroft goal but the No.6 sent his shot high and wide of the crossbar. On 16 minutes the visitors took the lead when the Bucks No.8 crossed the ball in from the right and Kevin Laporte sent the ball just inside the left-hand post. Five minutes later Hithercroft were awarded a free-kick following a hand-ball incident and Frank Smith sent in a 30-yard curving shot that the keeper retrieved after an initial fumble. On 27 minutes the Bucks No.3, James Hussey, played a one-two with another player and hit a ground shot towards the left side of the goal. Neil Stretton managed to get a foot to the ball and put it out for a corner-kick on the left. The Bucks No.4 sent in a low ball across the face of the goal and James Hussey ran in to push the ball over the goal-line to put his side 2-0 ahead. In the 35th minute Ross Drabble received a rib injury from an opponent’s knee and had to leave the field for treatment. Unfortunately he was unable to continue and so two minutes later Batista Lopez went on as his replacement.

At half-time Des took Ross home as he was in a lot of pain but refused to go to the hospital. As a result this match report covering the second half is very short as he did not get back until 80 minutes had been played. Denzil Johnson had arrived at half-time and went on to replace Zeesham Ullah and later in the half Michael Louise went on to replace Jahmel Sutton. Just as Bucks FC had tended to dominate the first half Hithercroft had most of the possession in the second half, spending most of the time in the visitors’ half of the field. In this half Denzil received a booking from the referee. Five minutes from the end of the game Hithercroft sent in a low ball from a corner-kick on the left and, as a number of players attempted to make contact with the ball, Denzil hit the ball into the net to put the home team onto the scoresheet. Hithercroft were showing some urgency to get the equaliser and Frank saw his 20-yard shot go just wide of the left-hand post. When the final whistle went Bucks FC ended up as 2-1 winners.

Hithercroft scorer: Denzil Johnson (85m)

Hithercroft M.o.m: Ryan Forbes

Hithercroft team: Neil Stretton (GK), Ross Drabble, Luke Revell, Kris Clark, John Harry, Ryan Forbes, Zeesham Ullah, Baz David, Frank Smith, Tyrone Francis, Jahmel Sutton (capt)
Hithercroft subs: Batista Lopex replaced Ross (37m), Denzil Johnson replaced Zeesham Ullah (45m), Michael Louise replaced Jahmel Sutton.
Unused sub: Jamal Blake

Bucks FC scorers: Kevin Laporte (16m), James Hussey (28m)