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Hormead Hares U10 v Hitchin Town Bullets U10

Sunday, October 28 2007

After many weeks of playing in Indian Summer conditions this weeks trip to Hormead Hares represented a definite move to winter. This was probably more felt by the spectators than the boys themselves. The rain was pretty persistent but paled into insignificance against gale force winds gusting straight up the pitch.  
 
The Bullets took to the field with a bare 7 due to the expected half-term absentees and still without a permanent goalkeeper.  Fortunately Zack had broken his toe the previous evening (well that's what he told me) so was happy to take on the goalkeeping duties for this fixture.

As it turned out he had the opportunity to rest that toe just a little longer as almost the entire first half was played in Hormeads half. The Bullets, backed by the storm winds, pressed forward throughout with Daniel, Liam and Will combining well and running hard at the Hares defence.

Daniels pace in particular found him regularly in behind the home defence, who played quite a high line considering the conditions, but 3 good chances including two against the post went begging.

New boy Matt also pressed forward to good effect in an attempt to grab the elusive first goal but his efforts, along with others from Will and Liam were all repelled. Jesse and Douglas provided the requisite cover at the back and ably mopped up on the rare occasions it was necessary.  
 
As hard as they pressed it was Hormead who, completely against the run of play, went in at half time 1-0 up. A slow and steady build-up down their left flank ended with a bouncing ball just inside the Hitchin penalty area which was duly dispatched into the top corner of Zack's goal. Little chance for the goalkeeper who was probably thankful the ball wasn't at toe height.....
 
Buoyed by their ascendancy in the first half the bullets continued to play the better football even though the conditions were very much against them. Douglas, Jesse and Matt now had much more to do at the defensive end of the pitch and slowly but surely the home side started to make better use of the conditions. Two goals in quick succession midway through the half effectively won the game and with tiring legs now struggling to get any real distance on defensive clearances into the wind another 2 goals against completed the scoring.  
 
The Bullets did however finish the game very strongly pressing hard to get the goal they richly deserved. Following good work from Will and Liam Daniel slipped the ball past the onrushing keeper but good defensive cover, aided by the blowing winds, saw the ball cleared short of the line. The final piece of action saw Matt hit an absolute bullet of a shot only to see it somehow saved by the home keeper.  It was about then we realised the game was destined to end with nothing to show for a very committed performance.

Bullets: Zak King, Douglas Stewart,Jesse Bharwaney, Liam Brennan, Daniel Lamy, Matthew Harding, William Mercer

Result: Hormead Hares 5 Hitchin Town Bullets 0