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.