22 Sep 2007 - Match Report KHFitC U11s (S&DYFL)

West Hagley 1 v 1 KHFitC - Report by Mitch Bastable 

Starting line up: Amedeo, Ryan, Sam, Jordan, Harry, Aaron, James S.

Subs: Ashley, Patrick, Jamie 

A visit to bottom of the table West Hagley arrived, and the team approached the game with confidence and excitement.

The first 10 minutes was evenly matched and the feeling was the home team didn't look a bottom of the table team. A couple of speedy wide players kept the Harriers on their toes.

Ashley replaced Harry after 11 minutes for his first appearance of the season and he looked comfortable on the ball. A shot from Ashley 2 minutes after coming on went wide, but it was more promising.

A great cross from James S saw Jordan strike wide, and a good 1-2 from Aaron and Ashley saw another strike at goal.

 Those were the good points from the first half because for the rest Harriers were under pressure, and had Hagley's finishing been more prolific and we had not had a superstar goalkeeper, we would have been 4 or 5 down at half time.

0-0 at the whistle and a huge sigh of relief.

A stern talk from manager Dave Gwinnell shook the side up.

Harry replaced James S, Jamie for Aaron and Patrick for Jordan meant a new look side for Harriers in the second period.

However the first 10 minutes was a constant barrage of shots from Hagley with some brilliant saves by Awesome Amedeo. What a performance!

Sam held strong in the first few minutes but had to be replaced by Jordan after his knee gave way again.

James S also replaced Jamie who had found their speedy winger a problem.

Against the run of play James S immediately had a chance and fired it into the bottom corner to record Harriers first goal of the season. A good spell followed with Harry picking up the pace and getting a good couple of chances. Shots from Jordan and Ashley forced their keeper to make a couple fo good saves, then Hagley pressured again.

Aaron replaced Harry and Harriers held strong. Sam came back on to replace Ashley who had completely run himself into the ground.

The ref signalled 5 seconds left but then let the game carry on. The home team fired the ball into the box, and despite desperate attempts from Amedeo to keep the ball out they scored with the last kick of the game.

1-1 the final score, and though it was gutting to concede with the last kick, overall we felt the draw was a fair result.

Man of the Match was given to Ashley which raised a few eyebrows, because Amedeo was superb. I think a few parents thought I was nuts! In hindsight I probably am!

Quick explanation....Amedeo could have won it for the last 2 weeks in my eyes, but I know there will be matches where no one in the team will perform well, but Amedeo is always consistently good and will win awards in those games. He is without doubt 'player of the season' so far. It's a matter of trying to give everyone a chance to win, and with it being Ashley's first performance of the season, I thought he was very composed, controlled and tried really hard to impress.

Keep it up boys. I will be on holiday in Turkey next week but will be thinking of you.