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Bishop Stortford United U12 v Hitchin Town U12 COVE

Sunday, December 2 2007

Two goals to the good in either half without reply sealed all three points for the excellent Boys from COVE in this eagerly anticipated return match against league leaders Bishop Stortford United.
 
The weather was absolutely awful especially in the second half with torrential rain and near gail force winds, but that didn't stop the lads from putting on what was possibly their best display to date. Indeed, from start to finish they were all simply superb and their determination to win this match was obvious for all to see with the only criticism maybe to sharpen up against the offside trap which the home team certainly play very well as we were to discover.
 
The first of the four came on ten minutes as Dale put in a great cross to Deano to fire home and start the Canaries on their way to a glorious victory. Midway through the half Josh set Deano through to score again but the flag was raised and the goal ruled out for the offside, however he made up for it with five minutes remaining with a close range net buster thanks to a provider by Divonte.

Although two up at half time, it could have been more as a hat full of other chances went begging thanks mainly to the very difficult conditions. Adam hit the woodwork more than once and Jack sent a sitter screaming narrowly over the bar just before the break. Full marks to the Stortford keeper though as he was on excellent form as was their number three in defence but Hitchin controlled the run of play almost completely during the first period with United only having a few half chances of their own all coming to nothing.
 
HT 0 - 2
 
Shortly after the restart, Deano once again got caught offside as he hit the net and was so denied his hatrick for a second time! The hosts also came out fighting and thus created more attacks than in the first half in a desperate attempt to redress the balance. Their efforts though went unrewarded as our midfield of Dale, Sam, William and Josh were on fire and once again the highly dependable defence of Jakob, Sam, Michael and Jack were fantastic! Scott certainly had more to do than in recent games and made some fine saves too.
 
After yet a third disallowed goal (however questionable it appeared), this time by Adam, Divonte eventually started things rolling again with forty minutes gone as he slammed in a low ball from outside the area after a neat back heal pass from Deano. Then with only two minutes remaining the fourth and final goal fell for a deserving Adam after Divonte unselfishly set him through on target.
 
It was then, a great end to a truly great game. Four goals scored and it could have, and should have been more. This doesn't suggest that our hosts were easy prey because they certainly are not. Bishop Stortford are a good strong outfit and as already stated the conditions made play difficult for all the boys on the pitch but when it boiled down to it COVE were definitely the better team on the day! Despite all, Hitchin are still fourth in the league though and Stortford still hold the top spot thanks to them and the other two clubs above us playing several more games, statistically however COVE are top dogs and by the end of January, if not before they should take over as league leaders...and we can't wait!
 
FINAL SCORE
 
BISHOP STORTFORD UNITED...0     HITCHIN TOWN COVE...4
                                                        Deano (10, 24)
                                                        Divonte (40)
                                                        Adam (58)
 
Man of the Match.....DIVONTE (...just marvellous!)