A tope three clash was always going to be a tight game and so it proved….both teams fought hard for midfield supremacy in a game that had little by way of elegant football but everything by way of determination and will to win, laced with a couple of moments of super football that ultimately ended up being the difference between the two teams.
Bright sunny morning, not too cold and generally good conditions for football had both sets of supporters in optimistic mood. from the off Hill started pretty brightly and had the best of the early exchanges, seeing a lot of ball in the Stortford half. On 2 minutes the first threat emerged after a good lay off from Brookes found Ewing whose run into the box and shot produced a smart save from the keeper. Hill then pressed hard and limited Stortford to their own half. The breakthrough for the first goal coming on 12 minutes when BROOKES, who had looked very sharp in the opening exchanges, latched onto a through ball played down the centre, carried it round the keeper with poise and slotted home from the angle. Hill 1-0.
The rest of the half saw both teams continue to battle for midfield dominance and Hill were well marshalled, especially in defence where some solid and strong defending limited the Stortford chances, but also resulted in a scrappy game of football. A battle this would certainly be. Very few chances emerged in the half but Stortford showed their attacking danger on 28 mins as their forward latched onto a ball through the middle and struck a fine low effort which S. Barrett got down smartly to save to his left and held well.
Not much more by way of incident or chances and the half ended with Hill just about deserving their 1-0 lead.
Two minutes into the second half however and the match was levelled at 1-1 when a half cleared header fell to a Stortford striker 20 yards out and a clean and powerfully struck volley dipped over S. Barrett. Game on.
Hill responded well with a couple of half time tactical changes starting to make a bit of a difference. 5 minutes into the half and Redhead controlled well in the middle and splayed a great pass out wide to Brookes, but his shot was well saved. 10 minutes later and Stortford won a free kick 25 yards out on a god angle….the wall was a bit close on the first attempt, but the retake caused much concern as it curled n towards goal but struck the post and Hill just managed to clear the rebound. If Hill had the better of the first half a renewed Stortford effort was taking effect and the second half was much more finely balanced with the Hill defence needing to earn their crisps and kit Kats!.
Long periods of the second half saw both teams evenly matched so the gaffer tried a couple more tactical switches and on 28 minutes this paid off. The effervescent Brookes, who was proving a handful for the Stortford defence all day, got away down the left, beat the full back and delivered a superb cross. SWANN barely needed to move, but even so made sure he got in front of his man, held him off and nodded home. Hill 2-1
Once again Stortford responded and by no means were making this an easy home win…tackles were flying in, plenty of physical contact and strength required all round to hold onto the Hill lead. On 33 minutes however, the game was put to bed. H. BARRETT, coming back on from the bench, slotted in at right back and got well forward in support of the attack down the right, exchanged passes with Redhead and slammed the ball home 20 yards out on the right corner of the box to seal a hard fought victory 3-1.
With Brantham losing 3-2 at Brentwood it certainly sealed a good weekend for Hill…however between Hill, Stortford and Brantham, the battle looks set to continue through the season.