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Shefford Saints v Hitchin Town Hurricanes

Sunday, September 10 2006

They're off! The eagerly awaited first game of the season was away at a warm sunny Shefford against Saints who have always proved strong opposition in previous years.
 
A few nerves were evident, especially from new management duo Sarah and Rupert and fresh new signings Adam and Josh who took up positions on either wing for their debut game.
 
The first five minutes saw an equal contest, as both teams took time to gel and lack of match practice showed, Hitchin having the early chances as Lee sent the first shot of the game just wide and had a second saved moments later. This seemed to be the wake up call that the lads needed, and before long, from a sweetly taken Alfie corner, Rhys opened the scoring from close in. 1 - 0! However, Saints responded almost immediately, with a short spell of pressure forcing a couple of good stops by goalie Matt, and eventually equalised with a good strike from outside the box. 1 - 1.
 
Far from being down hearted by the equaliser, Hurricanes suddenly stepped up several gears and dominated the rest of the first half with Alfie and new boy Josh both going close. Lee came off for Jack up front as the pressure continued against Shefford and it wasn't long before the very deserved lead was regained after another corner by Alfie resulted in an own goal. 2 - 1 up inside 20 minutes!   Shots now rained in on the Shefford goal from Alfie, Josh and Jack eventually forcing yet another corner. Again, Alfie took it well and this time Josh scored his first for the team turning the ball in well. 3 - 1. There was almost another just before the half time whistle as Adam saw a long-range effort saved.
 
The second half, and the boys carried on from where they left off, putting considerable strain on the unfortunate Saints keeper with old hand Simmy scoring from a rebound off the bar after an excellent header by Ryhs, within seconds of the re-start! 4 - 1 on 31 minutes!  For the next ten minutes or so there were some good efforts by Jack who saw a header saved and a shot stopped after a good solo run, and Lee who struck a beauty that the keeper parried just over. On 42 minutes after a neat combination by Jack and Lee, Lee's shot was cleared only for Josh to fire it back into the net. 5 - 1.
 
Credit though where it is due...the Shefford boys did not give up and although their game was well lost they gave us a couple of scares but luckily our Matt was equal to them. Their chances though coming from a now goal hungry team who all wanted to add their name to the score sheet, pushing too far up in their eagerness! Thank heavens that Matt stayed in position! A lesson to be learned perhaps? Hitchin soon scored again though after debutant Adam, who had a good first game, lobbed one over the shattered Shefford defence from way out leaving the goalie floundering and wondering where on earth it came from! 6 - 1!
 
Hitchin, still not content with their impressive tally, found time for number seven with just two minutes left on the clock. An sublime solo effort by the impressive Josh putting the final knife in to Shefford. 7 - 1 and a hatrick for the new kid on the block!
 
A fantastic opening game, enjoyed by all (well from Hitchin anyway!) They'll be trembling' next time we meet for sure! Well-managed Sarah and Rupert, and very well done boys!
 
Man of the match JOSH (unrelentless exquisite performance)
 
SHEFFORD SAINTS 1 - HITCHIN TOWN 7 Rhys, og, Josh (hatrick), Simmy, Adam.
 
Match report by Kevin Kitchiner-Day