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.
The match was a bit of a tired end of season scrappy affair however…with midfield battles the key. The pace was slow…not helped by a stiff breeze…but Hill ran out winners 4-1. A result which flattered them a little as the hosts had plenty of good chances and pressure, but some resolute, if not last ditch, defending coupled with a superb goalkeeping display from stand in keeper Ben Harris, kept Bentwood at bay. Hill scored at key moments and some really well finished goals saw them home.
The deadlock was broken on 10 minutes when the ball was worked through midfield to REDHEAD who turned and unleashed a fierce volley from 20 yards that gave the keeper no chance. 1-0.
He nearly made it 2-0 a few minutes later when after being played in by Swann he broke through but the Brentwood keeper came out very quickly and made a brave save at Redhead’s feet.
Brentwood then started to react and on 15 mins were unlucky when they struck the bar with a good effort from a narrow angle.
Hill pressed back and on 18 minutes a G. Johnson free kick found Swann whose well directed header was well saved.
In a ding dong series of openings, on 20 minutes Brentwood again made the visitors work hard after a slip in midfield gave their speedy forward a chance to get through but this time it was Harris who came out well and saved at his feet, preventing a sure goal.
1 minute later and Hill looked comfortable after a poor goal kick found Redhead. He played in Ewing wide and the speedy winger turned clear of his man and fired in a good angled shot which the keeper did well to save with his feet. The rebound however, fell straight to REDHEAD who made sure from 6 yards to make it 2-0. That brace from the Hill forward took his goal scoring tally for the season to 30 with 3 games to go. A remarkable achievement matched only by Luis Suarez who is also on 30 and whose team are also at the top of the table……sorry folks….that one was irresistible!!
However, Hill were not having it all their own way and on 27 minutes Brentwood fought back after a through ball down the middle wasn’t dealt with and the Brentwood forward latched onto it and smashed home emphatically from a good 25 yards out. Harris no chance. 2-1.
The second half was very similar to the first half with midfield the key. The gaffer made some tactical changes, dropping Redhead back into the middle to add some bite and pushing Dackombe up front. Most of the play seemed to be going through the middle with the wide men struggling to see enough of the ball.
20 minutes into the second half however and BROOKES reminded us of the value of wide play when the ball was worked out well to him. He created space nicely and got a bit lucky as the keeper struggled to hold his well struck cross and the ball bounced int the net 3-1.
The final act of the half in terms of goal action came 2 minutes from the end when the keeper played a clearance straight to DACKOMBE who controlled well and finished over the keepers head powerfully from 25 yards. 4-1.
This was however, by no means a comfortable win for Hill who will have to step up their energy and passing game for the final three league matches in the next two weeks and a cup final next weekend.
If they do, the reward of a league and cup double will be well deserved after a long and successful season.