Chinnor Exiles Res - League (21/09/2008)
2008 - 2009 Season, Afc Hithercroft



It was a warm, sunny day with very little wind for this away game off Station Rd, Chinnor. Afc Hithercroft had three substitutes, one of them (Michael Louise) running the line until Pam Ife took over at half-time. The referee was Mr D. Hook and Chinnor Exiles Res turned out in white shirts and red shorts whilst Hithercroft wore red shirts and white shorts.

The game began at 10.30am and Afc Hithercroft took the kick-off but it took 3 attempts before they did it correctly by playing the ball forward instead of back. They began well and had a couple of shots in the first few minutes before, in the 9th minute, Denzil Johnson rounded a number of defenders and struck an 18-yard shot across into the far right-hand side of the net to put Hithercroft 1-0 ahead. Eight minutes later Ryan Forbes played a long ball forward to Frank Smith, he sent it out left to Denzil and he, in turn, played it inside to Jahmel Sutton, the Hithercroft captain. Jahmel hit a superb 28-yard shot on the diagonal into the net to increase Hithercroft’s lead. On 28 minutes the Exiles sent in a high corner from right but their No.5 headed the ball over the crossbar. Hithercroft came close to pulling further away when Ryan sent in a cross from near the right-hand corner flag and Frank headed the ball towards the top of the net; the Exiles keeper jumped up and tipped the ball over the crossbar. Hithercroft were putting together some good passes and did some excellent ‘off-the-ball’ running, making the Exiles get a number of players goal-side. In the 39th minute Ryan played the ball out left to Frank, Frank crossed it back into the middle and Dan Allman ran in to drive the ball inside the far left-hand post to score Hithercroft’s third goal.

In the second half, which kicked-off at 11.21am, the Exiles began to get back into the game. On 49 minutes Hithercroft sent on Zeesham Ullah to replace Tyrone Francis and, 7 minutes later Jason Guy needed attention to a chest/abdomen injury which caused a brief break in play. In the 62nd minute Denzil had another shot at goal but an Exiles’ defender deflected the ball over the crossbar. Four minutes later both sides made a substitution, Hithercroft taking off their captain, Jahmel Sutton, and sending on Jamal Blake. Hithercroft made their final substitution in the 72nd minute when Michael Louise went on in place of Frank Smith. There was an unfortunate incident in the 78th minute when Denzil retaliated following a dubious tackle by an opponent and earned himself a booking. Despite both sides having further attacking opportunities there was no change to the scoreline and at the final whistle Afc Hithercroft emerged as 3-0 winners. This result, together with favourable results from the other Division 2 games, put Afc Hithercroft at the top of their division.

Hithercroft scorers: Denzil Johnson (9m), Jahmel Sutton (17m), Dan Allman (39m)

Hithercroft M.o.m: Jason Guy

Hithercroft team (starters): Neil Stretton (GK), Luke Revell, Kris Clark, Jason Guy, John Harry, Dan Allman, Ryan Forbes, Frank Smith, Denzil Johnson, Tyrone Francis, Jahmel Sutton (capt)
Hithercroft subs: Zeesham Ullah replaced Tyrone (49m), Jamal Blake replaced Jahmel (68m), Michael Louise replaced Frank (72m)