Match Report
Match Report - 24 Jan 2010, HARVESTERS FOOTBALL CLUB BOYS U14 NORTH lost to Hitchin Town U14 Blues
Herts FA Challenge Cup – Round 4
24th January 2010
Hitchin Town U14 Blues 2-0 Harvesters U14 North
Half time 1-0
Match report by Tony Zacaroli
Rarely is a 2-0 defeat a cause for such optimism. In a hugely entertaining cup-tie, with end to end action right up until the final whistle, Harvesters Under 14 North came up against a Hitchin side from The Alliance Leagues, and oozing quality in many areas of the pitch. Nevertheless, through sheer commitment, passion, and some excellent passing football, Harvesters more than held their own for long periods of the game. Indeed, at times, Hitchin were made to look ordinary.
Unusually for Harvesters, they started well. Nicky Yates, with strength in the tackle, holding off opponents and in shielding the ball, epitomised the fighting spirit which ran throughout the team. The defensive line (variously comprising Mischa, Aaron, Morgan, Aaron, Andy, Luke and Olly) held firm for most of the game. With his committed tackling, blocking and passing out of defence, Morgan was a clear candidate for man of the match. And as the game went on, Luke’s firm heading was a recurrent feature: mostly deployed in the centre of defence to see off many a ball lofted into the penalty area, but with seconds to go, he met a great corner from Aaron with a powerful downward header that on another day would have been the consolation goal the team as a whole deserved.
Chris – in goal in place of the absent Oscar – was superb. His all round performance, including many great calls in the face of onrushing attackers, and brave stops, was typified by an excellent block at point blank early in the game. In midfield, Joe was an ever present force, meeting high balls with a firm head and playing some neat passes for Ryan or Sam to run onto.
A particular high point was the return of Will Biggs, after a long period out with injury. Although playing for only part of the game, as he eases himself back to match fitness, he showed that he has lost none of his skill or spirit, making some attractive touches to bamboozle the Hitchin defenders, and combining with Ryan down the right hand side to set a number of possible attacks on their way.
All in all the boys were unlucky to concede the first goal, on 25 minutes. Chris did very well to stop a strong shot, but it fell unkindly for the defenders who were unable to clear. A Hitchin attacker stepped up and buried the loose ball. Almost immediately from the restart, Ryan saw a good long range effort float past the right post, with the goalkeeper beaten. The best chance of the half for Harvesters came as half-time approached. Aaron took a corner from the left, Joe timed his run perfectly, and met the ball with his outstretched boot, only to see it lofted over the bar.
In the second half, Hitchin’s superior levels of technique began to tell, and the game was played more in Harvesters’ half. The lead could have been increased on a few occasions, the Hitchin forwards being thwarted by the post or the cross bar on three occasions. The good positioning, and swift clearances, of the Harvesters’ defence was still vital in getting rid of the rebounds.
Hitchin’s second goal came as the Harvesters’ legs began to tire. Their fast and effective No.9 was simply too fast for the retreating defence, and having pushed into the penalty area his firm shot into the corner was too good for Chris to get to. The boys kept their heads up, though, and managed to exploit some of the spaces opening up in the Hitchin defence. In the last few moments, as chances were created at each end, a superb run from Jack (battling throughout as ever) was capped by a low shot which the keeper just turned around the post.
By the end, the performances from all positions in the Harvesters’ team had all been so good that the manager was so spoilt for choice in appointing a man of the match that the only option was to appoint them all men of the match. Despite the result, and the end of a cup run, the team can be proud of their performance. As the visiting supporters all agreed, if this form can be carried into the league, then the immediate future looks good.
Hitchin Town U14 Blues 2 - 0 HARVESTERS FOOTBALL CLUB BOYS U14 NORTH