Hill playing their second game in 48hours and Stortford their second in 24 hrs along with a tough school day may have just taken the edge off two very good sides!!
I think a big shout to the gaffer who made a 400 mile round trip to get there this evening, he should be thanked by both the boys and parents.
The game got under way at a fast pace as both teams try and assert authority, with strong tackles from each side.Hill show glimpses of the football they can play as a neat interchange down the right sees Dackombe get behind the fullback and cuts it back to Johnson who sees his effort narrowly go over the bar. A few minutes later and Dackombe show good footwork beating a couple to get his cross in, which is cleared to the edge of the box and another Johnson effort goes over the bar.
Stortford play down the wing and a ball inside the fullback sees a cross the centre forward controls well but drags his shot past the post.
Brookes who terrified the away side all night picked up the ball deep in his own half,shows great close control as he beats three players before a last ditched tackle stops him in the box. Brookes again showing a quality touch bringing the ball down gets Swann away who holds off the last man but sees the keeper make a good save.
Stortford come more into the game and look dangerous down the flanks and two consecutive crosses are meet with good headers but Barrett does well to hold on to them. A Stortford corner soon after sees yet another fine save by Barrett.
With 25 minutes gone the ball breaks to Brookes about 25yards out and he unleashes a thunder bolt which crashes against the bar and away to safety. Just before half time Harrison who had played well took a nasty fall landing on his head and would play no further part.
Half times arrives with both sides having chances but we are still at 0-0
Five minutes into the second half and a ball over the top looks to have been cleared but cannons off the Stortford forward and falls kindly back into his path, who then finds himself clean through on goal and slides it past Barrett. 0-1
Hill who all season have not known how to lose now show real character and dig deep to get a result. The longer passing and first time balls are cut out and they begin to play a pass a move game which they do so well. Redhead comes inside and finds Swann who plays a perfectly timed pass out wide to Brookes who is bearing down on goal, the home support all wait in anticipation for the rocket to explode and he doesn't let us down. He lets go with the left foot and the ball flies into the roof of the net. The keeper may need counselling after that!!!
Hill are now in control and the passing is short and slick with quick interchanges getting in behind the away side. A Johnson cross is meet well by Swann but the keeper is equal to it. Emmerson is next to show his pace down the line, the cross is meet by the head of Redhead but the keeper saves well.
Hill may not have been at their best tonight but Jessop was as solid as a rock at the back and put in a fine performance.
They game ends all square and Hill need a point from their last game next Wednesdayto win the league.The champagne is still on ice but before we get there we wish the boys good luck on Sunday in the league cup final.
Quick mention to Foster who played through pain on Tuesday but wasn't fit enough to make tonight but hope to have him available for Sunday.
After a couple of good results with a shoe string and injured squad this evening kick off saw the Manager able to start the game with 3 subs, although he was still without a keeper and this time Foster went between the sticks following on from Harris in the previous game. Straight from the kick off Hill started the game at a high tempo moving the ball well and closing down all over the pitch and within 2 minutes Brookes had flashed down the left wing and seen an early shot saved. Chelmsford were set up well and with some real talent in the middle of the park they are a decent side who can hit you hard if you don’t concentrate and after 5 minutes a long range shot was well held by the stand in keeper. Hill started to push forward but lost Harris early on after a blow to the gentlemen’s vegetables area saw him have to leave the field and his cutting edge was certainly missed for the rest of the game. But the gaffer shuffled the pack well and brought on the mighty Eve up front. After 9 minutes that paid dividends as Brookes broke down the left and played a ball in behind the City defence, Eve’s power and determination saw him out muscle the City defenders and finish coolly slotting the ball in the net from just inside the left edge of the area. 1-0. Hill are playing some nice flowing football and on 13 minutes Dackombe and Johnson exchange an exquisite one – two which sees Johnson release Dackombe down the right wing his cross finds Eve but the defence block his shot. City break with speed down the left and play the ball into the middle of the park on the edge of the Hill area and a long range shot down to the left sees Foster, slip as he goes down to save it but he scramble across the goal to save well. City are looking very dangerous on the break especially down the Hill left and their talented No 8 in the middle of the park is looking like a player that Hill can’t afford to give too much time on the ball without being punished. On 17 minutes Swan playing in a midfield role, plays a ball into Eve’s feet whose first time ball releases Brookes, who breaks free down the left but shoots from range when taking the ball into the area seemed a better option, a rare misjudgement in a good performance. On 19 minutes a floated ball from Johnson finds Redhead who battles the defender to win the ball and give himself space to shoot but it’s deflected over. On 24 minutes City broke down the left again and a lovely piece of football on the edge of the Hill area saw City play a fabulous one – two which saw their forward break into the area along the bye line, step inside and fire a great shot into the roof of the net past the keeper at the near post. 1-1 Hill have shown their strength of character all season and this year an opposition goal has inspired them to fight back and a minute after City scored we saw that again. Brookes dinked the ball over the defenders head on the right and turned on the after burners to outstrip him for pace pulling clear and unleashing a powerful shot which the keeper parried well but Redhead who has had his scoring boots well and truly polished this season had followed up like all top quality forwards do and passed the rebound into the net2-1 On 31 minutes the goal machine strikes again as a through ball over the City defence sees Redhead outpace the defence and a great finish sees Hill go into a 3-1 lead. Just before the half time whistle the City No 8 picks up the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashes a thunderbolt which smashed the cross bar so hard it shook the goal, as the City No 10 Arnold tried to replicate Redheads follow up and finish Foster managed to smother the ball and Hill went in at half time 3-1 up. The second half kicked off and Hill came out of the blocks fast with Brookes and Swann both unleashing shots at the keeper within the first minute. Four minutes into the second half a great through ball saw Brookes race past the last defender whose clip on Brookes sees him go down just outside the area. A red card in an adult game, but I think all agreed that the ref took the right decision leaving the player on the pitch. Johnson’s low free kick under the wall was well saved by the City keeper. Two minutes later a forward ball is brought down by Swann with his chest, his cross is cleared but it falls to Redhead on the edge of the area who smashes a toe punted shot into the net4-1. City are still trying to play football, but King on at full back at half time is nullifying the danger down the left and City are struggling to find an outlet for their good play in midfield. 12 minutes gone in the second period and Hill win another free kick on the edge of the area, this time Redhead steps up but his well hit shot goes past the post. 6 minutes later Brookes breaks down the left, the City right back makes a fabulous tackle but the tenacious Brookes gets straight up wins the ball but can’t pick anyone out with the cross. The Hill back four had looked solid if occasionally a little out of position, but 24 minutes in the City 15 jinked through the defence who backed off as he broke into the area, possibly not wanting to give a penalty away. The City midfielder saw himself in front of goal and smashed the ball over Foster’s head 4-2and a very uncharacteristic mistake from a back four that have been as solid as the Berlin Wall ( pre 1989) all season with centre backs Jessop and Harrison being like the Pillars of Hercules guarding the entrance to the Hill area in every game. With 10 minutes to go in the game, Johnson plays a slide rule ball to Brookes who looks certain to score as he goes round the keeper, but the City keeper makes a great save at the winger’s feet, and within 30 seconds he makes another good save holding a shot from Swann. City play a ball forward to their pacey forward who looks to finish a high bouncing ball but Foster is off his line quickly to save well and clatter the City forward to the ground. With five minutes left a nice piece of interplay sees Johnson release Dackombe whose looping shot from the left goes just over the top. City are starting to press forward trying to get something from the game and continuing to play some nice football. With the clock ticking down Dackombe breaks with pace and energy down the left his cross finds Swann but great defending from City clears the ball it falls to Ewing whose shot flies over the top. The ref blows for full time of a competitive and entertaining match, Chelmsford City are a well organised side who play nice football and exhibit the right attitude and commitment whilst playing the game in the right way and our meetings with them this season have all been enjoyable affairs. The win sees Hill going into the last couple of games still unbeaten in the league with the title in their own hands, but it’s still all up for grabs now and previous seasons have taught us not to count our chickens until they are stuffed cooked and on the table. The Champagne is still on the shelf but there is increasing hope that it will be put on ice soon Next up its Bishops Stortford who will be looking to avenge the semi-final cup defeat and the Hill players will have to be fully committed and up for the game to keep the league in our own hands.
A windy and chilly easter sunday saw Hill travel to Brentwood for a repeat of the seasons opening fixture. This time however, Hill travelled as deserved league leaders and with 4 games to go, a couple against tough opposition, they have a great chance of winning it. After the bitter disappointment of losing on pens in the County Final Hill returned to League action. The league looks like it will be impossible to complete 8 fixtures in 20 days, and with a certain team trying to orchestrate a position for themselves through "old boys acts " to win a league the odds on unbeaten Hill have lengthened. But they will attempt to ensure the league is won on merit and not by default... so Hill traipsed off for a midweek fixture at Writtle College. With 6 squad members absent only 11 brave souls could take the field. Even today's reporter was a substitute and players gad to adapt to different positions and formations. However bonus for Hill was the full match return of King who had been absent for 6 long months . A creditable display and a solid return. The first half saw Hill encamped in City's half for the first 20 minutes but despite strong pressure the cutting edge of a regular forward was missing. The result was no shots on target so no goals ....,thus saw City grow in confidence and a corner not cleared after 3 attempts saw them smash a shot in from the six yard box . 1-0 and Hill looked concerned and lost momentum allowing City to finish the half in front and on top. Time for Big D and Big R to review the tactics at Half Time and even if I say so myself it worked perfectly. Players could not be changed but position , awareness and attitude could. Hill reverted to a. 5 man midfield and squeezed the game and the life out of a Brave City Team. A special mention for their Keeper Jacob who pulled off at least 5 superb stops and one special double save to keep rampant Hill at bay. However the tide had turned and increasing influence of Harris was now showing as on 15 minutes in the 2nd half he controlled and slotted a ball inside the back two for Fitch to run onto a smas home. The game returned to a midfield battle with neither side giving ground and the game knew it would be something special to break the deadlock . We were not disappointed .... With. 3 minutes to go Johnson found time and space to release Harris just inside the opposition half, he traversed with the ball and 3 trailing defenders but to the surprise of everyone elected to smash a shot from 35 yards straight into the top right hand of the goal. Even wonder keep Jacob could not ge near it. The celebration of the whole team showed how much that goal meant... So Hill continue to attempt to reach the pinnacle and I for one will be coming along for the ride ! Special thanks to Chelmsford who are a great team who epitomise all that us good with youth football. |