Wye Rangers - League (07/09/2008)
2008 - 2009 Season, Afc Hithercroft



The first league game of the season took place at Shelley Road against Wye Rangers on an overcast morning with a gusty wind blowing across the pitch. Wye Rangers had no substitutes available and Afc Hithercroft began with just one until Tyrone arrived 26 minutes after kick-off. The referee was Mr T. Catigoudis, the Rangers manager Darren Keen ran the line for his team and Afc Hithercroft had Pam and Pat share the linesman’s duties, Pam covering the first half.

The game began promptly at 10.30am and Hithercroft began well with John Harry sending two headers just wide of the Rangers goal. In the 27th minute Hithercroft sent a long ball forward from out on the right, Frank Smith ran on to collect it and chipped the ball over the keeper, as he came off his line, to put the visiting side 1-0 ahead. Seven minutes later Zeesham Ullah and the Wye Rangers No.4 collided as they both went up to head the ball, both players needing treatment to their heads. Just before half-time the Rangers No.3 broke through but hit a long shot wide of the right-hand post.

At 11.23am the second half kicked off and after 5 minutes of play Tyrone Francis went on to replace Zeesham. On 53 minutes, as the Wye Rangers keeper went down on the ball, Jahmel Sutton accidentally caught him on his right hip and so there was a short stoppage whilst the keeper received treatment. Ryan Forbes and Tyrone combined in an inter-passing move before Ryan played the ball forward to Jahmel but Jahmel’s 18-yard shot was pushed round the post by the diving Rangers‘ keeper. Rangers came close in the 58th minute when their No.9 took the ball on the left wing, avoided Kris Clark and hit a shot against the left-hand upright. Rangers began to put pressure on Hithercroft, their No.8 Lee Stevens hitting a shot that had keeper Neil Stretton rising up to tip the ball over the crossbar. On 61 minutes Jamal Blake went on to replace Hithercroft’s Lyle Edwards, who had a groin strain. Ryan then went on a run down the right and was barged before he could reach the ball. However, he got back on his feet, ran on to gather the ball and crossed it into the middle, Jahmel hitting a shot that pulled off a save by the Rangers‘ keeper. From a 75 minute free-kick Rangers sent the ball into the 6-yard box and, after a frantic goalmouth scramble, the Hithercroft keeper went down to gather the ball on the goal-line. Three minutes later Rangers crossed the ball in from the left as their No.9 went down at the edge of the 18-yard box holding his head. The Hithercroft defence stopped, expecting the referee to stop play so that the player could receive treatment but no whistle was forthcoming. Lee Stevens then ran in to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. Five minutes later Rangers took the lead when they took the ball down the left wing and Darren Scrivens struck the ball, which received a deflection, into the Hithercroft net. As play went into added time Hithercroft centred to ball and Jahmel struck the ball into the Rangers’ net to make the final score a 2-2 draw.


Hithercroft scorers: Frank Smith (27m), Jahmel Sutton (90m)

Hithercroft M.o.m: John Harry

Hithercroft team (starters): Neil Stretton (GK), Dan Birch, Luke Revell, Kris Clark, John Harry, Lyle Edwards, Zeesham Ullah, Dan Allman, Ryan Forbes, Frank Smith, Jahmel Sutton (capt)
Hithercroft subs: Tyrone Francis replaced Zeesham Ullah (50m), Jamal Blake replaced Lyle Edwards (61m)

Wye Rangers scorers: Lee Stevens (78m), Darren Scrivens (83m)