BISHOP STORTFORD FC 1-3 BHFC ROYALS
U13 Challenge Cup EJA
Finally we managed to get the game in…after a few weeks enforced weather break, boys were flown, driven and transported back from all corners of the globe to play this overdue EJA semi.
Despite a perfect 4G surface the conditions were still to prove a factor due to there very strong wind which ran down there length of the pitch. Stortford used that to good advantage to play with the wind in the first half and enjoyed most of the possession as a result. But Hill, once again dug in, limited their opponents first half chances and capitalised on their second half performance to run out deserved winers 3-1.
The opening 10 minutes proved a difficult tussles both sides fought hard for the upper hand. Stortford though won that battle as they used the wind well and pressed Hill back down the flanks. They put a marker down on 11 minutes when their forward broke onto a ball in the box and fired high over the bar when he should really have at least hit the target.
On 15 minutes they got their breakthrough. A break down the left and good cut back cross found a forward in some space and he calmly side footed home from 12 yards. 0-1.
Hill kept trying hard to pin them back. On 18 inures some good work down the right between H. Barrett and Swann freed Redhead in the middle whose well struck shot just went wide.
On 23 minutes Stortford threatened again but the first of a number of superb saves from S. Barrett denied them. The Hill defence stood strong and firm against the Stortford threat for the remainder of the first half and Hill did well to keep the score to 1-0, which the fans knew would give them a great chance after the break.
Hill, noticeably helped by the wind advantage in the second half started slowly to force the play a bit more and 10 minutes in Redhead laid down another marker from 20 yards, just wide. That was his second sighter…and the boy doesn't normally need three from that distance!!
8 minutes later and Hill were level. A throw in down the right saw H. BARRETT well forward in support of play. He collected the ball and played a dangerous cross shot that looped up and over the keeper into the net. 1-1.
His brother was forced into superb action again 2 minutes later as a great turn and shot from the Stortford forward was parried away. One of a few very important saves and clearances that would win the game for Hill.
2 minutes later and the REDHEAD scope had the Stortford goal in the cross hairs. The back of the net lit up by the laser spot. 25 yards out, in a bit of space…there was only one thing on his mind and he let fly. Keeper no chance. 2-1 Hill and we were now getting well on top.
However, in this writers view the match winning moment came three minutes later when a good attempt by Stortford was superbly cleared off the line by G. Ewing. What a clearance which kept Hill in the game….but the danger was not over as the ball rebounded into the box and then S. Barrett pulled off another brilliant save from the follow up. It looked like it might be our day!
3 minutes later and the fans knew it was. Some good work in the middle by Johnson and Harris freed SWANN 25 yards out….a half turn and caught the ball on the volley really sweetly….bottom corner 3-1.
Hill had really capitalised on their chances and had defended superbly well. Marshalled by Harrison and Jessop in the middle and aided by S. Barratt and Basi / Dackombe in the flu back slots the Hill defence were not letting anything pass. 34 minutes saw the last roll of the dice by Stortford with a good effort in the box that beet Barrett but found Dackombe on the line to clear once again.
Final whistle and Hill reach their second final of the season…..what a great effort and after a few weeks break you could forgive the boys for being a little off the pace…but that was n to the case and a really professional performance against a strong and talented Stortford side puts us in with a great chance of a clean sweep!!