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Sawbridgeworth U9 v Hitchin Harriers U9

Saturday, March 8 2008

The Harriers started well from the kick off with a run through the midfield from Joe who was eventually stopped by the keeper. Sawbridgeworth responded and managed to get a free kick on the edge of the box. It was beautifully struck and the ball ended in the top of the goal to make it [0-1].

There followed a period of aerial football with a combination of the high wind and over inflated ball making it difficult to keep the ball under control. There was some good defending from Danny on the left wing as the Sawbridgeworth forwards put him under pressure.

The Harriers attacked with Tom and Elliot pushing forward, eventually the ball was deflected to force a corner, Sawbridgeworth eventually clearing from the corner. There was some good linked up play from Joe, Tom and Elliot whose shot was saved by the keeper.

At the close of the first half a quick run by Matthew down the left wing opened up the Sawbridgeworth defence and a great controlled shot just missed its target and hit the side netting.

The second half started well with Joe, Tom and Zac pushing forward, they eventually forced a corner which was taken by Tom and when straight to Joe who slotted the ball into the top right corner of the goal [1-1].

A misjudged tackle on Joe gave the Harriers a free kick that was taken by Joe to Tom who couldn’t quite control it, Joe then had a shot that was just over the bar. Sawbridgeworth had another attack that came to nothing giving Ryan the chance of a goal kick with the wind behind him. The goal kick came off the Sawbridgeworth keeper at the other end of the pitch to force the corner. Matthew took the corner and passed it short to Daniel who was on the edge of the box, he had a great strike that unfortunately hit the crossbar and Zac followed up by hitting the left post.

Elliot made a good strong run weaving through the Sawbridgeworth defence and casually slotted the ball past the keeper to make it [2-1]. As the Harriers continued to pressure Sawbridgeworth a great long accurate throw from Matthew found Joe just over the half way line whose resulting shot went in off the left post [3-1]. Sawbridgeworth did not give up however and continued to push forward, forcing Ryan to make another save. A long shot from Sawbridgeworth put Ryan under pressure and he just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

In the closing minutes of the game the Harriers dominated and were unlucky not to get another goal. Two corners from Matthew found Zac and Tom whose shots were just wide and saved by the keeper.

Overall it was another great performance from the Harriers who looked lively and keen to win throughout.

Harriers: Ryan Dickman; Daniel Jordan; Danny McConnell; Zac Laycock; Tom Pickett; Joe Henshaw; Elliot Willoughby; Matthew Warren; Dean Semark.

Result: Sawbridgeworth 1 Harriers 3