Match Report
Match Report - 14 Mar 2009, Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current drew with East Hoathly
Finally - Match Reports 14th March – East Hoathly
Oak won 2-1, Beech lost 3-4, overall drawn
Oak Team
Rory Acock
Marcus Blackden
Tyler Howes
Will Kinchin
Oliver Morss Davies
Lucas Munro
Jay Palmer
Jack Pearman
James Ross
Our visitors, East Hoathly, were only able to field one team, and we were expecting them to field their strongest squad, particularly following the successful trip of both Beech and Oak away to them before Christmas. With our natural strikers absent from the team, it was important to get a good start, and Oak pressed strongly from the kick off. Our first goal came from a well earned and beautifully flighted corner kick, tucked in at the far post. However, East Hoathly, with some strong individual players and neat passing looked threatening, although Oak's defence stood strong with some really firm tackling and excellent work rate from Will and Lucas. The game was still finely balanced until Rory neatly picked up the ball in midfield and pushed forwards with a classy piece of dribbling, beating both defenders and goalkeeper with a finely placed strike to make it 2-0.
The second half saw the East Hoathly side pressing more firmly, and stretching Oak's defence and midfield and it was clear that Oliver was heading for a busy time in goal. However, he and the defensive line held firm in what was such a tense and well balanced second half that I simply cannot recall when East Hoathly pulled a goal back with what was a great strike from the edge of the box. I suspect their goal was secured before half time!
We can always look forward to a solid defensive display from Oak with some outstanding tackling and improving positional play, and both Marcus and Jay worked hard in midfield and made life difficult for East Hoathly to get a rhythm to their passing. What was equally pleasing yesterday was some excellent movement and use of space when attacking the opposition. James and Jack put in a great passing performance in the second half and we were using width far better than in some of our previous matches, while Tyler got himself into some very good attacking positions, stretching the oppositions defence and creating good space to attack. All in all a great team performance with an outstanding display from Rory as man of the match, in both midfield and defensive roles, as well as both strikes to win the game.
Beech Team
Will Spence
Oliver Phillips
Ryan Akehurst
Connor Saker
Jacob Llamas
Aaron Gray
George Marshall
Henry Morss Davies
Matthew Scates
With East Hoathly having only one team and having played Oak before this match they were better prepared fro the start of this game. They came out of the blocks fast aided by the slope and space left by confusion over positions with the still unfamiliar seven a side. The team just did not get into the match and East Hoathly took advantage of every opportunity to keep us on the back foot in the first half. Will had to venture out of his area on a few occasions to make clearances as they continually worked a long ball over the top. Will made some fine saves and clearances but there was nothing he could do to prevent us going into half time three goals down.
The second half started with them continuing the momentum they had established in the first half to get a fourth goal. Henry and Connor then started to step out of the defence and win balls further up the field. With Matthew distributing and Henry running the ball through the midfield Jacob, Aaron and George started to stretch their defence. It was clear that the tide had turned and the team was soon rewarded with the first of three great goals. The final five minutes were tense as East Hoathly somehow successfully held onto their lead. Disappointing to lose 3-4 but the team worked together in the second half to show what they are capable of.
Will was shaded for man of the match on two fronts. Firstly by Jacob who covered so much ground he cannot possible have had energy to have done anything else for the rest of the day and also by Henry. Henry won many balls stepping out of defence and either ran with ball or made intelligent passes, this combined with much improved behaviour makes it appropriate to also give his performance an extra mention.
Honestly, not long to go now........! We hope that everyone had a good day out, and whilst the less formal ten-a-side game was perhaps a little cluttered, hopefully all the boys got to enjoy a good spell of exercise and a sufficient use of energy for all the parents to benefit from a more peaceful evening..? Many thanks once again to Moyna for the all important Vitamin C contribution and all those helping to clear the pitches - your help and support is very much appreciated. See you all next week.
Ken and Mark
Wadhurst United Junior Football Club Team not current 5 - 5 East Hoathly (over all 5-5)