It was a windy day in Hullbridge for the final game of Hill’s season……and what a long and great season it’s been…but this was possibly a game too far for the boys who have consistently played to a high level all year….this game saw a tired looking Hill well beaten by a strong and athletic Hornchurch side who were today, good value for their 2-0 win.
While they played long ball in the EJA final against Hill, today they passed it shorter and capitalised on their pace up front to cause several problems for the adventurous Hill set-up of back three, midfield four and front three.
While this game bore little resemblance to the final there was one horrific deja vu moment right at the outset when the Hornchurch 12 burst though and raised his foot to shoulder height and planted all 10 studs In S. Barret’s chest.
it was a repeat of the challenge in the final that saw Barrett have to go off, and which changed the game.
Fortunately on this occasion the Hill keeper recovered sufficiently to see out the game and pulled off a number of great saves to keep the scoreline to 2-0.
Well done Sam, a strong and brave performance in the face of adversity.
Hill will need to get used to and step up to match such levels of adversity in coming seasons as boys turn into men and earning the right to play through strength and aggression becomes more and more vital. Today Hornchurch had the legs, the strength and the aggression and outmuscled Hill.
Notwithstanding that however, Hill played some really nice football and created a few chances of their own…a couple of which were unlucky not to see the back of the net. The first glimpse of which came on 7 minutes when Hill played some neat football in the final third and the ball from Redhead flashed across goal with our forwards just unable to get on the end of it. Hill kept attacking and playing neat football in difficult conditions, but Hornchurch closed down and harried well and kept chances to a minimum. Hill were undone for the first goal right before the half time whistle when a corner was too high for the keeper to get a strong hand on it and it dropped down on the line. Basi, trying to clear but under strong pressure from the Hornchuch forward could only deflect it into the goal 0-1.
10 minutes into the second half and the lead was doubled when Hornchurch broke down the left and created space and time for their fine no. 8 to calmly finish from 10 yards on the angle 0-2.
Hille were not about to give up though and 15 minutes into the half Brookes corner from the right was swung in brilliantly and looked to be going straight in…over the keeper, dipping under the bar, but an amazing clearing header from the Hornchurch defender on the line prevented a special goal.
10 minutes later and Brookes had another stab. A free kick fully 40 yards out…on the half way line circle in fact was stuck in only the way the diminutive Hill winger can hit them only just went over the bar with the keeper staring in shock….as were a good number of the parents.
Hill’s final chance came 5 minutes from time with Brookes again. A long ball down the left into the area saw the keeper come out but under a fair challenge from Brookes, fumbled the ball…Brookes turned and hit it right footed but it was cleared off the line again.
That was to be our final chance of the game.
Both players clapped one another sportingly and both collected their respective league winers plate and medals, with Hornchurch lifting the play off trophy.
A great season. League winners, London Cup, EJA cup and play off cup runners up….what a season it could have been but for a little more luck. Some might say parallels with Man City and Liverpool….but rest assured…like Liverpool, Hill will be back next year…strong and ready to go again.
Well done boys…you’ve done parents, management and the club proud.