Scorers Aidan4, Alex,Josh, Drew

This final League match of the season had an interesting feel to it with Easington needing a win to avoid the bottom two in the league and Harwell having Alex T unable to play in goal and only 11 players available if Alex played outfield.

So the line up included Rossie in goal , Alex T at right back , Drew in central midfield and Aidan up front.

Drew was first to foray down the right with a surging run and cross to Jamie who just missed the ball. Ross collected a save from a shot in the 5th minute and from a good passing move Jamie's good cross had no takers. A good Alex shot was punched clear. In the 15th minute a good Simon through ball found Aidan who crunched through two tackles and slotted home the opener. Good covering from Josh stopped the away team shooting. A good Laurence pass to Simon saw his shot lifted over the keeper but just past the post. A good Jamie cross found no takers again before Ross had to move quickly to kick clear. Almost straight away Alex chipped to Aidan who first time lifted the ball over the keeper for his and Harwells second of the match, Great finish. Easington came back in to it and a mazy run finished with a shot just low past the post and a shot from distance clipped the crossbar. A good cross from Reidy saw Alex and Simon just fail to connect. A super Aidan flick on to Simon saw his shot parried for a corner and Thatch shot wide from it. In the 30th minute the away team scored from a shot from distance just under the bar. good work by Thatch down the right saw him cross for Alex who for once mistimed his shot wide. A full length save from Ross ensured a half time lead at 2-1.
Straight away Alex chipped home a clever goal to make it 3-1 in the second half before Jamie chipped over the keeper but wide. Aidan then had a remarkable sequence when three shots were blocked with the keeper beaten and Drew and Simon hitting wide in the same move. !! A lovely Drew break dwn the left saw his cross evade everyone. From a Jamie cross Alex shot at the keeper and from an Alex cross Jame headed at the keeper. In the 16th minute Josh shot home following a corner 4-1. Alex mistimed another good Jamie cross before Ross made a good reflex save from a 1 on 1 situation. Straight away Alex marauded upfield and provided a pinpoint cross for Aidan to head home his hat trick in delighted fashion for 5-1. Not long after Aidan tried a chip over the keeper from the byline and only just failed. With 15 minutes remaining Simon took over in goals and Ross shrugged off a challenge but shot wide of goal. A super tackle from Laurence avoided a certain shot on goal and Thatch shot over from a corner. A quick throw in put Drew away down the wing but his good cross was blocked. From a run down the left Aidan scored his fourth with a fine shot in to the top corner of the net and as Easington tired Ross got in a flick which set Drew away whose firm shot flew in to the net much to his delight. Final Score 7-1 and a good win given the circumstances.

Well done to Thatch and Ross for going in goal for the last two matches and to Alex for playing outfield today. An entertaining romp of a match in which Easington played their part. And Aidan got the match ball signed by the team for a super display tonight.

Scorers Alex2, Aidan

This was an eagerly awaited return fixture given the exciting game at Witney earlier this season. The match let no one down with some excellent classy football.

Within two minutes each team could have scored first a Jamie weaving move allowed Alex to cross and Simon fired home only for the lino to flag offside. The away team almost scored from a corner. A Harwell move down the left resulted in a corner. Later a good Jamie shot was pushed away for a corner. From a dangerous Reidy cross a Tower Hill defender bizzarely crashed a header on to the post and away. Thatch came out smartly to save at the feet of a defender from a breakaway. In the 12th minute a Tommo cross was knocked down by Reidy and alex shot over the bar. A couple of minutes later and a quality tackle from Josh saved a good goalscoring chance. Ross and Reidy combined to allow Alex to crash in a shot that slipped by. In a tremendous move down the right Reidy , Drew, Tommo and Simon combined to cross for Alex to lift the ball over the keeper and put us one up. What a fantastic goal!! Just three minutes later though and a corner was headed home for the way team for 1-1. A Jamie shot was save from out wide however it was not long until H&H were back in the lead. A loose long ball seemingly easily cleared up by the Tower defence and keeper was pounced on by Alex who swept the ball in to the net. A minute later Ross won a tackle and Reidy shot just past from distance and the tumultous half finished with Alex heading over. Phew what a half and 2-1 to H&H

The second half started badly with a simple ball over the top slid home for an equaliser at 2-2. A move involving Alex and jaie ended with Simon just failing to connect but a minute later H&H were again ahead with Aidan doing well to head home under pressure from a Jamie cross. Thatch then had a great save from a shot outside the box. In the 11th minute Tommo got hold of a up and under from the wing that beat the keeper but a Tower Hill defender showed great skill in clearing the ball off the line. The game seemed to enter a period where each side cancelled each other out with good tackling and no one being allowed time on the ball. Nine minutes from the end H&H had an amazing period of pressure with several miscued attempts to score and tackles blocking shots. From a Ross clearance Tommo raced down the wing but was blocked. A deep cross was headed home by the away team for 3-3. A mistimed tackle on Ross resulted in a Tower Hill player being sent off with three minutes remaining and a couple of half chances went begging before the game finished,

Quite amazingly we took the lead six times against Tower Hill this season and still ony drew both games. Well done to both teams for another enjoyable match.

Scorer Alex
Abingdon Town was the venue for this final.

Horspath had the first clear chance but shot past under pressure from Laurence. In the 5th minute an Aidan free kick was headed on by Reidy but Alex volleyed over the bar. In the 11th minute Ross won the ball on the right and cutting in his pass to Thatch found him crowded out. Horspath won a series of corners and pressured H&H both Josh and Laurence made crucial tackles during this spell. A swinging corner from H&H landed at the back post but there were no takers. A Horspath free kick was headed on and Alex made a smart save a the post. Half Time 0-0

Horspath opened well in the second half and first Alex had to make a good save from a volley before the same Horspath player thrashed the ball home to put them one up. In a breakaway Tommo ran the fill length of the pitch and won a corner . a second corner was won before Alex headed over the bar. An excellent Drew pass put Jordan away and his pass on to Ross was cut off before Ross could cross. Horspath then had two clear chances but from both they shot past the post. With 11 minutes remaining Jordan played a neat through ball to Alex who an on and thrashed tha ball in to the roof of the net. Horspath looked less sure now and from a corner Josh had a shot deflected past although normal time finished when Alex made a fine save from a close in shot.
All the earlier good work was undone when a Horspath player was left unmarked to head home inthe first minute of extra time. H&H had chances and a Jamie mazy run and cross was met by Tommo who scooped his close range shot over the bar. Following another Jamie run he was fouled but Alex's free kick was blasted over the bar. Alex made another brave save near full time and in the last minute a long throw in caused problems for Horspath and George F shot just past the post.

Although they soaked up a lot of pressure H&H deserve credit for sticking at it and forcing extra time and such a better performance than the last time we played Horspath. So runners up it is for this year in the Cup.

Scorers
Jamie, Alex and Josh

A warm and sunny morning with revenge for an earlier league defeat the plan for H&H.

The away team started well with Simon and Drew combining well and Thatch's cross just behind the onrushing forwards. Reidy's through ball to Alex saw him blocked off before Drew accepted a throw in and chipped to Alex who placed it to Jamie and his first time chipped shot beat the diving keeper to put H&H one up. A deep Alex cross saw Jamie head past before Alex t made a good save at the other end. A good 1-2 with Alex and Simon resulted in a fruitless corner and Simon and Jamie combined to cross for Thatch to beat the keeper to the ball and touch just wide. In the 25th minute a great Drew pass allowed Simon to cross first time for Aex to head a good team goal in to the roof of the net. This spurred Henley on and two chances ended with a header off the line. The half ended with Simon's right foot shot blocked by the keeper , Ross tussled with the keeps and his stabbed shot was hacked off the line. Half Time 2 up but its not all over yet.

Henley were much more in the second half and had the first chance shooting wide before a Jordan break down the right saw his cross just beat Alex. An Alex through ball to Jamie saw his shot blocked for a corner and then a Ross touch off allowed Jamie to cross and Jordan just fail to connect. Henley had a good spell and created a couple of missed chances before a frantic last five minutes saw plenty goalmouth action . a Simon cross saw an Alex header off target and Alex T took a kick for saving at attackers feet.Henley shot over the bar and a Laurance knock down saw Alex shoot over the bar. Henley then scored from a well taken free kick before Josh restored the H&H two goal lead from a smart header in to the roof of the net.
A good first half was the difference between the teams and three more away points for the blue and black.

Scorers Alex3, Jordan, Ross, Aidan

Mackney Lane was the venue for this afternoon match.

The first half plaudits were certainly with Brightwell as they battled hard with ten players and restricted the away team to a handful of chances. The bobbly pitch made control difficult and hard to anticipate the trajectory of the ball. An early Jamie corner was headed just past by Aidan. A good move by Aidan ended with a smart pass to Jamie however his cross was well blocked. Simon had a good run down the right played a 1-2 with Jordan and from his good cross Aidan shot just past. An Alex snap shot was at the keeper and a free kick from Alex was pushed over the bar. That was it until a minute before half time when a deep Simon cross was palmed out by the kpr and Jordan shot home the first goal of the game from close range.

The second half began in similar fashion although from Jamie's cross Simon shot at the keeper. It was almost worth waiting 41 minutes of the match for a contender for goal of the season to illuminate the game as Simon found Alex who touched it to Ross who hammered home a perfect strike in to the roof of the net past the helpless keeper from outside the box. This sparked a period of better play for H&H and a Reidy through ball saw Alex outpace the defence round the kpr and slot home the third. Drew and Thatch then worked a good move between them and from a cross Alex smartly finished with a low shot for the fourth. Brightwell then created a couple of chances and a free kick bounced up at Alex T who bravely saved with two home players in his face. A Brightwell forward then clattered through a couple of challenges and shot past but it was only a short lived fight back as Drew produced a beautifully flighted free kick for Aidan to produce a lovely shot over the keeper for the fifth. Not long after Jamie came inside and beat his man before finding Alex who shot low in to the corner of the net for his hat trick and Harwell's sixth.

Without question this is one of the worst pitches in the league and a great leveller at times. It took until early in the second half for H&H to figure out how to play it but a good ten minute spell put them in control.

Jubilee Pavilion
Recreation Ground
Mackney Lane
Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
Oxfordshire
OX10 0SQ
OX10 0SQ

Please meet 1.15pm, 2pm ko

Scorers Alex3, George Thatcher, George Thomas.

A fine day for this morning kick off on the main Harwell pitch as Kennington were the visitors in a league match.

A loose pass almost let K in straight away but a wayward shot saw the ball finish well clear of goal. A run and cross down the right saw Alex just fail to connect properly. Patient build up involving Reidy saw Alex shooting just past and a long range shot from Thatch was next and a great ball from Aidan saw the keeper out smartly to collect. Reidy had another good through ball just fail to make a chance on goal. In the 12th minute another pass to Alex found him being the meat in a Frosty sandwich as two defenders fouled him inside the box. He picked himself up but his shot crashed off the crossbar and bounced to safety. The opening goal was delayed just 2 minutes as a fine Reidy through ball found Alex who outbattled the centre half and poked the ball home after rounding the keeper. A great Ross through ball found Alex but his first touch was too heavy. K were still well in the game though and creating chances by pushing players well up the pitch and from one through ball a K forward tucked away an equaliser and we had still only played 16 minutes. The play flowed from end to end and Alex was through on the keeper who made a good save before a Reidy knock on found Simon rounding the keeper but having his shot kicked off the line. Thatch headed home off the crossbar from the resultant corner to put Harwell 2-1 up. From a break in midfield Simon lost the ball and K shot just over the bar. K then had a good spell with a mixture of good passing and sloppy home defending creating a couple of chances. A Simon pass to Reidy who found Alex and his shot from the edge of the box just went over the bar. From a good Simon cross Jamie flicked it at the keeper who saved well. A long range Alex floater just went over the bar and two teasing Jamie crosses were met by Thatch and both just scraped past the post.
Half Time 2-1 and which team would regret the missed chances?
A good Simon pass put Ross away but he shot at the keeper and a great tackle and run from Ross found no takers for his cross. Pressure was building on K though and in the 15th minute a Reidy through ball found Alex who rounded the keeper before slotting in the home teams third goal. In a breakaway Alex T made a fine save and not long after Alex again made a full length save. H found a second wind and a good Jordan touch and pass put in Alex who shot at the keeper. Jordans neat passing found Ross this time but his cross was saved. A Thatch tackle found the ball with Jordan whose pass to Alex resulted in him shooting just past. Jamie beat two defenders before firing over the bar from a tight angle and then Jamie's fine pass put in Reidy down the wing and a good cross saw Alex head home the fourth for Hendred. Simon and Jordan combined well and a pass to Alex saw his close range effort saved. A Tommo cross was well saved before in the 32nd minute a Jamie cross was missed by all until Tommo appeared at the back post and fired home the fifth.

From the start this was an amazing game full of good passing some tough tackling and loads of chances. H&H were well up for this one and well done to every one of the 13 players used. Nice to complete the doube over Kennington in the league.

Scorers Jamie,Ross
A super day for football with sunny skies and warm conditions at Loop Meadow Stadium in Didcot for this semi final against an Oxford Irish team on a good unbeaten run.
Harwell started well and as early as the fourth minute an Alex cross was met by Simon and an Irish defender, the ball rebounded towards Jamie who controlled a low shot in to the corner of the net from inside the box to put H&H one up. A couple of minutes later and Tommo had a good shot blocked and from the resultant corner Thatch had a shot saved. In the 12th minute a Ross through ball to Alex resulted in a corner and from Jamie's cross the home defence did not clear and Alex hit the bar from close range. In the 16th minute an Irish free kick seemed to hit the outside of the post and go for a goal kick and as the gme progressed Irish grew in confidence. A Ross flick to Simon was blocked off and a flowing move ended with Thatch shooting past. As half time approached though a long range shot came off Alex and Irish followed up to shoot home an equaliser. Back came Harwell and a first tme shot from Alex had the Irish keeper backtracking and just making the save. In the last move of the half Alex crosed to Aidan in a promising position however his pass to Simon was too heavy. Half Time and 1-1.
The opening minutes of the first half were more positive for Harwell and first a through ball saw Alex gain a touch and the keeper saving, A minute later and the ball fell to Ross and from 30 yards out his dipping shot came back off the crossbar to safety. Ross and Jamie worked to put Alex away however his shot was low across the goal and past the post. Irish themselves created a couple of chances with shots low across the goal. From a good Simon run when he beat two defenders Aidan turned and shot low past the post from close in. In the 15th minute Ross beat his man and and played a ball through to Jamie whose cross shot was easily blocked. In the 21st minute Alex T played the ball out to Drew who brought the ball in to the Irish half and chipped the ball towards Ross who took a touch past a defender and cracked a low shot in to the corner of the net from the edge of the box to put Harwell 2-1 up. Irish still threatened and forced a number of corners with neat play. Thatch had a low shot saved. Tommo and Aidan played a nice one two which ended with Tommo shooting low past. Alex turned and crossed to Aidan who had his shot blocked.

Overall a dissapointing performance from too many H&H players when Irish seemed much more up for it . That said it is H&H in the final.

Scorers Jordan2 Ross.

A St Valentines treat of a match at Witney this afternoon in a close and hard fought encounter.
The home team started with some early pressure but could make nothing of two corners. H&H came in to it more and a ball out of defence played early found Simon who played in Alex who shot just over the bar.A great jinking run from Ross past two defenders found the ball passed to Alex who slipped it to Jamie whose shot was blocked and the ball ran wide. Shortly after Alex was out smartly to block a shot and Tommo cleared the rebound. In the 22nd minute Harwell then attacked and a cross from the right found Alex who played a through ball to Jordan who slipped it through to Jamie. Jamie's shot was blocked by the keeper however Jordan smartly followed up to plant the ball past the keeps and put the away team one up. Play moved back and forward with lots of tough tackling and hard endeavour however three minutes before half time the home team drew level after a move from the left allowed a midfield player enough time to score low in to the corner of the net. HALF TIME 1-1.

H&H were first out of the blocks and up front Alex blocked a clearance, carried the ball forward and had a low shot well saved by the keeper. A free kick was won in the Tower Hill half and Alex's shot came off the keeper and Ross followed up to hit home the away teams second goal. 2-1 up. In the 14th minute a through ball saw Alex outnumbered at the back and although he blocked an attempt a home player followed up to hit the equaliser. 2-2. Almost immediately H&H kept the ball in the Tower Hill half and Alex beat his man out wide and crossed for Jordan to appear between two defenders and guide the ball past the keeper to put H&H 3-2 up. Tower Hill headed just over from a corner and later an attack down the right ended with a cross and the ball being poked homed desite a valiant attempt by Alex to block it. 3-3.A break down the left saw the ball played just behind Jordan who coud not quite collect it and move forward. The match ended with H&H pushing forward and the home team clearing from a corner.

A difficult place to come and pick up points so well done lads for going ahead three times and gaining a useful draw.

Scorers Alex 2

A dry but cold afternoon at Harwell for this derby Quarter Final.

Both teams seemed to cancel each other out for long spells in this match and the first ten minutes were typical in a rumbustious way. An away player was booked after 12 minutes for a poor tackle and a minute later a simple through ball allowed an away attacker time to shoot low in to the net from outside the box. Four minutes later though and the home team fought back. A long ball from Drew was knocked on by Jordan who played it in to the path of Alex who still had a lot to do before battling his way past the Centre Back before shooting low in to the corner of the net. Didcot created a few long distance efforts but the home teams workrate was exemplary in denying clear cut chances as half time came and went with the scores still level.
In the second half a growing confidence swept through the home team who began to create some chances. A great ball for Jordan to run on to ended with the away keeper bringing him down on the edge of the box. Alex's free kick was blocked and two further attempts to prod the ball home failed as the away team scrambled the ball away. In the 14th minute Ross was brought down wide on the right and Alex swung in a great free kick which Josh just failed to connect with properly at the back post. Didcot's best second half effort saw a free kick on the edge of the box blasted over the bar. With a minute remaining in normal time Alex was put through however a defender got a match saving tackle in for a corner. When this was swung over Jamie connected with a header but this just missed the post.
So extra time, which proved nerve wracking, brought a marvellous full length save from Alex to put a shot round the post. Clear chances were limited and just as the spectre of penalties was loomimg a through ball saw Alex running for the ball with the centre back , Alex was gaining ground as the centre back felt him bearing down he delayed allowing Alex to pinch the ball , round the keeper and slide the ball home for the winner with two minutes remaining. The home team successfully kept the ball for the remaining time and the players celebrated at the final whistle.

Harwell and Hendred deserve credit from coming from behind to battle through to the semi finals. Well done all of the lads today you got your reward for putting in a real shift.

Scorers Alex (2)

Typically freezing January afternoon at Harwell, the pitch was hard but passed fit for play.

In the second minute a dangerous Jordan cross was cleared or a corner which Alex pumped too high over the bar. Some neat work down the left ended with Reidy shooting at the keeper. Another nice move saw Reidy provide a fine cross which Jordan collected however a defender just stepped in before Jordan could shoot. Thatch provided a good through ball which the keeper smothered as Ross tried to make contact and later a Ross cross just failed to find Simon at the back post. A move down the right this time saw a fine Simon pass and Ross's flick was just too slight to beat the keeper. A good Alex cross to Thatch saw his shot saved. It was Alex T that was next in action out smartly tackling saving the day and from the resultant corner the ball just crept past the post. S Eds pressure in the 20th minute nearly provided a goal but a goal line clearance saved the day. Back came the home team and an Alex cross saw Simon shoot at the keeper. A corner provided Alex with a chance to shoot and the keeper only just palmed on to the bar and the post. From the break St Eds ran up the park and hit the post. Shortly before half time a corner cleared the defence and Alex controlled his shot to place it low in to the corner of the net for the opening goal.
Early in the second half a Josh free kick was pushed through by Alex to Thatch whose shot just fizzed on to the post with the keeps beaten. Not long after Alex had a fine point blank save however the second half was punctuated by too many stops for fouls as each team strove for a goal. A good passing move resulted in the ball reaching Ross on the edge of the box and he jinked past two defenders before a third brought him down in the box for a clear penalty. Alex converted confidently to put the home team two up. St Eds pushed forward and in a breakaway Alex found Ross whose fine pass put Jamie away however his shot hit the bar.

A physical encounter with particularly the first half being exciting and end to end. A good run out and three important points. Well done lads.

Scorer Aidan

The first 20 minutes saw both teams with chances Alex T had a great save in the fifth minute which was cleared upfield , a bad backpass almost let Alex in , the keeper played the ball against Alex but he just could not keep his feet to steer the ball home. Straight after an Alex cross was deflected in to the keepers arms. In the 15th minute a Jamie cross was tipped over for a fruitless corner. Alex then had another fine save which Laurence cleared away however two goals in two minutes from poor clearances handed the home team the advantage. Shortly after the ball sat up for a home player to chip the ball in for the third. Alex crossed but the keeper smothered the ball before Simon could get there but shortly after Thatch won the ball and played it to Simon whose cross was well headed home by Aidan to put the away team on the scoresheet. A further goal for the home team restored the 3 goal advantage at half time. It's hard not to comment on some dreadful late tackles from the home team in the first half which the referee failed to produce cards for.

The second half continued to be tousy and Alex shot over from a wide position. In the 15th minute Jamie jinked his way in to the box and was sent crashing by a tackle....penalty....oh no said the ref who gave a free kick outside the box which Jamie sent in to the side netting. Alex had another fine save from a low shot and at the other end Alex passed to Jamie who could not quite gather the ball after being sent through. Some good wing work could not quite produce quality crosses as the second half played out.

H&H matched the home team for most of this match and if a few decisions had gone their way the score could and should have been a lot closer. Some brave hard tackling performances from the lads today. You deserved better.

Scorers Josh, Alex
Sunny blue skies but a freezing cross pitch wind today at Harwell.

In the third minute a quickly taken throw in found Ross whose low cross was missed by all until Simon picked it up but his shot was weak. Alex shot wide with Thatch coming in on it and in the 10th minute Drew headed wide from a corner. Abingdon had a shot past the post before twice Alex shot low and wide from acute angles. An away player was booked for two nasty tackles in quick successsion before Alex was manhandled on the half way line however he still ran on to the ball and shot just past. From a corner Alex shot in to the side netting and in a good move Laurence won the ball and played in Jamie whose cross was tapped home by Thach however he was flagged offside. This was the last act of a poor first half.

In the second half a great Tommo cross was headed past by Thatch and in the 11th minute Abingdon hit the post in a breakaway. In the 20th minute a Jamie free kick was headed home by Josh for the opening goal and from another corner Aidan headed over. Josh won the ball in midfield who fed Ross who passed to Thatch however his effort brought out a great save from the keeper. From another corner Thatch, Aidan and Jamie all had shots blocked. With two minutes left failure to cut out a cross allowed the away team to head home an equaliser. With a minute to go a Jamie corner was headed home by Alex to give the home team a 2-1 win.

In truth this was a poor niggly game and the home team will be glad to have gathered all three points.

We have been given another home fixture for the B&B Cup.

We face either Pinewood or Marlow Youth who are due to play each other on the 6th December for the right to play us on the 24th January.

We are the last remaining OMBL side in the cup. Old foes Wickham also are through and have a home draw.
----UPDATE----
Pinewood have beaten Marlow Youth to make the trip to Harwell in January.

Sorry not a proper match report as the full names of both teams used up all the space ! Not really , I was not at the game but am reliably informed we played well and fully deserved the win.

Scorers were Jamie 4 mins, Alex 5 mins Simon 21 mins, Ross 22 mins Thatch 29 mins Opponents scored next and second half goals for Jordan, Alex and Drew (on his birthday) finished it off. Where were you in the second half Owen with the goal times !! Must have been freezing so well done the lads and for Ian for painting the lines to get the game played.

Through to the last 16 now which takes place on the 24th January. Will try to update with the draw when known.

Scorers Jamie3, Simon, Laurence.

While the rain had disappeared the wind seemed to peak for ths afternoon kick off making conditions testing particularly facing the wind.

The away team played with the wind first but early on H&H forced the play and a deep Alex cross was saved by the kpr. In the seventh minute Jordan won the ball off a defender and played it to Alex who quickly switched it to Jamie whose cut back in to the box was met by Laurence who had a shot blocked. An Abingdon move was thwarted when Alex dived bravely at the centre forwards feet to smother a shot. In the 18th minute Jamie took advantage of a defensive slip out wide and weaved his way in to the box , Jordan and Alex took defenders one way and Jamie slid the ball to Simon who cracked a low shot in to the corner of the net for the opening goal. Abingdon tried hard to harness the wind and one successful move required Alex again to make a brave save with the forward leaving his foot in and Alex taking a knock. Nice play involving Jordan and Ross saw Drew float in a quality cross and Jamie's header went over the bar in tricky conditions. Just before half time a Simon cross was flicked goalwards by Ross however the keeper got enough on it to parry it past the post.
Second half and the wind was still as strong. Abingdon won an early corner and as the clearence came out of the box Ross flicked the ball in to Alex's stride and he sprinted half the pitch before firing a shot which was saved the the goalie but only parried to Laurence who calmly shot home for the second goal. Josh headed over the bar from a corner as H&H pressed for a killer third which duly arrived in the 11th minute when Josh broke up an attack , Alex flicked it in to the path of Jamie who beat his man and ran on to rifle a shot in to the net . Ross jinked this way and that and his chipped shot was flailed away from the top corner by the keeper. Two minutes later Thatch passed to Laurence whose shot came off the bar and shortly after Jamie floated home number four from out wide. Abingdon's persistence paid off when the centre forward went round Alex and shot home a consolation. Drew then headed over the bar before good tackling from Simon won the ball and a Thatch shot whizzed past the post. Alex was out smartly again to put a forward off his shot . An indirect free kick inside the box saw Alex smack a shot on to the bar off the keeper's gloves bizarrely being the third game in a row when Alex has hit the bar in the last minute of a match. Just time for Ross to win the ball, play in Alex who rounded the defence and crossed for Jamie to complete his hat trick.

A good win in conditions which could have provided a platform for an upset. Some excellent harrying in the first half restricted Abingdon and H&H kept the ball well to pass to the next round.

Scorers Jordan, Jamie, Simon.

A calm sunny morning at Appleford for this league match in stark contrast to Saturdays weather.

H&H started well and Simon almost met a deep Alex cross in the box. The opening goal was only delayed a minute when a through ball put Alex away and his early cross was fired home first time by Jordan for the opener in the 2nd minute. Alex next had a low shot saved by the keeper and in the 12th minute Ross won a midfield ball and his pass found Alex who passed to Jordan whose shot was parried however Jamie dived to head home the second goal of the game. Alex had an excellent turn and shot just past the post before a St Eds move brought a flying save from Alex and applause from all. Not long after the home team scrambled the ball home following a corner to make it 2-1. Straight after a goalkeeping error almost let Jordan in however his shot was in the side netting. Alex T was tested again but was equal to the shot before Jamie made his way through two tackles and passed to Jordan who laid it off to Thatch whose shot was blocked. The half finished with Reidy weaving through defenders but Alex slipped while shooting with the ball going over the bar.
The second half was only 5 minutes old when Jordan flicked on to Alex who put Simon one on one with the keeper and he gleefully slipped the ball home for H&H's third goal. From a Drew pass Alex crossed deeply but Jamie shot strongly over the bar. From a further Alex cross a defender deflected over and another Alex cross saw Jordan narrowly deflect past the post. Alex T was out smartly to kick clear but for the most part the defence and midfield dealt with the home team efforts. Laurence worked the ball to Thatch and then to Jamie whose close in shot was blocked. In a move down the left Thatch and Alex exchanged passes before Thatch's shot was deflected wide. From the corner George F flicked on to Alex who was caught offside before getting in a shot. From another corner a Josh shot was blocked and Alex's rebound was saved for yet another corner. In the last minute Alex ran through two tackles and blasted a shot on to the crossbar. H&H ran out worthy winners and at times put the home team under severe pressure.
Two cup matches at home next for the lads with first Abingdon and then Gerrards Cross and Fulmer the visitors.

Scorers Ross, Jamie.

The book of football cliches would have this game in Chapter One, a game of two halves blah blah blah ...missed chances costing dear etc etc

Henley had the first shot a long ranger always going wide but H&H took over with a Thatch shot being saved and Aidan just failing to get to the rebound, an Alex shot then hit the bar before H&H took the lead in the 6th minute . Fine work from Simon resulted in a cross which Aidan back heeled in to the box and Ross ran smartly on to the ball to fire home the opener. A good run and cross from Alex saw a deep cross and Simon shot just past. A Thatch pass put Simon away , he neatly beat his man and passed inside for Alex whose shot brought out a fine save from the visiting keeper. From the resultant corner Alex shot past. A deep Drew cross saw Jamie having a shot saved. A good move involving Thatch and Aidan saw Aidan crossing and Jamie just failing to connect. From another deep Alex cross Aidan headed over the bar.
The second half opened brightly for the home team with Reidy just failing to connect with a n Alex cross and a Simon cross resulting in a Reidy shot blocked. However after this too many home passes went astray and Henley came right back in to the game with first a shot over the bar and then two situations which might have led to goals. A low cross from Henley was then not cleared properly and a close in shot was swept home to lift the away team. A corner resulted in a pin ball situation and the second Henley goal. A breakaway from Henley had a couple of chances of being cleared before they scored the third.A mini fightback saw an Alex shot being well saved over the bar by the keeper and a further Alex shot being palmed out for Jamie to sweep home. In the last minute a corner was met by Alex first time and he thundered the ball off the crossbar and over.

Scorers Aidan2, Jamie2,Jordan2, Alex, Drew and Reidy.

A beautiful calm autumnal afternoon for this first round B&B Cup Tie against North Wilts side Lambourn who visited Harwell.

The romance of the cup did not last long for the away team with two goals inside the first three minutes conceded , a Reidy cross was palmed away by the keeper for a corner in the first mnute and shortly after a Reidy through ball found Alex who wasted no time in shooting low past the keeper for the opener. A minute later and a Drew cross saw Reidy knee it past the keeper and finding its way inside the post for the second. A good move starting with Ross passing to Alex and in turn Alex passing to Jamie saw the formers deep cross with no attacker in the box to tuck it away. From a Reidy first time pass Aidan headed over the keeper but the goal was disallowed for offside. Drew then headed home from a corner however the ref whistled up for an infringement. From a Jamie free kick Alex fired over the bar. A good Ross pass to Alex saw him turn and cross to Aidan who tapped home the third from 5 yards. Ross next played in Reidy who crossed for Alex to flick on and Aidan just failed to get the touch to send the ball goalwards. Shortly before halftime a snap shot from the away team was saved comfortably by Alex. At half time you felt the goals would come in the second half and in the first minute Drew went close from a corner.A Lawrence through ball put Aidan away this time and he fired under the keeper for his second of the game and 4-0. In the fifth minute Drew had a shot kicked off the line but followed up to score number five. In a similar situation Drew had another shot blocked on the line and from a Jmaie cross Alex had a header blocked. A period of pinball in the Lambourn box saw the ball come in and out of the area several times before it was cleared properly but not long after a fine cross from Tommo was swept home at the back post by Jamie for number six. Almost immediatley after Jordan poked home number seven after an Alex shot was parried. A Ross pass to Drew who put Tommo away led to a shot being kicked off the line and from a Thatch shot which was parried Jordan shot over. Alex broke through wide on the left but he chose to shoot low with three in the middle awaiting a pass and the ball went past the post. Another move down the left saw Jamie weaving his way in to the box but his shot was at the keeper who saved. Another cross saw George F stab the ball goalwards but the keeps saved again. From a throw in Ross battled his way in to the box but two defenders kicked it away for a corner. Jamie shot wide from the resultant kick. In the last four minutes two further goals were scored when Jamie stabbed home from a Tommo cross and Jordan got on to an Alex cross to tap in the ninth. In between the away team wasted their only real chance shooting wide from close in.

H&H were rarely troubled and are safely in to the next round with the minimum of fuss. We await the draw for the next round (due to be played on the 29th November) with interest.

Scorers Alex3, Jamie, Reidy, Jordan.

A wet afternoon at Harwell for first round League Cup tie.

Jamie and Alex combined well and from a cross Tommo had a shot saved by the keeper. the corner was cleared but a second corner saw Ross head on to the post. Appleton created a corner but this was easily cleared. A good passing move from Jamie and Aidan allowed Jamie to break in to the box and crash a shot over the bar. From a poor defenders header Alex collected and fired a shot wide. In a fine move Alex and Jamie combined and Aidan passed to Alex who headed at the keeper. From a good corner Jamie squirmed wide of the post from close in.however three minutes later another corner saw Alex crack a low shot home off the post to put Harwell one up. A good ball from Aidan to Jamie saw his cross too deep for Tommo to turn in. Josh fed Tommo whose light touch allowed Laurence to wriggle in to the box and have a shot blocked. Half Time 1-0 and Appleton hanging in there.

Drew put Simon away and his great deep cross was met by Ross whose header was cleared off the line. An Aidan cross saw a bouncing ball reach Ross who shot in to the side netting. A Simon first time cross saw Ross head over the bar however three minutes later Drew fed Jordan who passed to Simon and he laid it back for Alex to crack home his second. Another Alex shot brought out a splendid save from the keeper but he was beaten when a Thatch mis hit shot reached Jamie who smashed home the third high in to the net. Thatch had a shot blocked after a period of pressure Simon played in Jordan whose cut back was perfect for Alex to drive home the fourth. Good work down the midde and ball reached Reidy who shot home the fifth. From a corner Reidy fed Simon whose shot was saved. In a good passing move Drew Simon and Jordan were involved and Jamie had a shot well saved. A Josh header from a corner was also well saved. A lovely ball from Ross to Drew whose fine cross was met and Reidy's shot was saved. A good Thatch run down the wing and a fine cut back saw Jordan convert from close range for the sixth.

A good performance from Appleton in the first half but the second belonged to H&H who played some fine football at times. Another cup game awaits next week at home to Lambourn in the B&B cup ths time.

Scorers Simon, Alex, Aidan, Ross.

A bright sunny morning and a warm welcome awaited the boys at Banbury in a league match. Laurence was unavailable today, George F playing in central defence but otherwise injuries had mainly cleared up.

H&H started well and inside the first minute Alex shot wide. A minute later and a Josh through ball found Jordan who released Alex and his shot this time was just wide of the post. Shortly after and a ball came back out of the box and Drew blasted over the bar. An Easington attack was easily snuffed out and Alex T kicked a long ball downfield which Simon latched on to, watched the bounce and crashed an unstoppable shot in to the roof of the net for the opening goal in the fifth minute. Another Alex shot sailed wide before Ross battled for the ball on the edge of the box, it broke to Alex who drilled a smart shot low in to the corner of the net to put the away team 2 up. Easington then seemed to catch the pace of the game and came in to it more however Reidy produced a mazy run from the wing and fed Jamie whose cross was wide of the inrushing forwards. H&H through balls were running off a fast pitch and fr a while clear cut chances dried up.Five minutes from half time and the home team produced a good move which ended with a great shot from close in which seeed destined for the top corner until Alex T made a superb flying save and pushing the ball wide. Not for the first time this season his save produced a round of applause from all the spectators. The half finished with a Simon shot saved after another through ball.

The second half started with some good footbal and a move involving Drew, Simon and Thatch put Ross away however his shot was past the post. Ross and Thatch won the ball in midfield and Thatch fed Aidan whose strong shot was over the bar. Good interplay in the middle of the park saw an Alex shot fizz past. In a bizzare moment the ref booked Thatch for an off the ball incident which appeared very soft considering many of the "challenges" we have seen this season. Alex won the ball and played Ross in who shot home but Ross was adjudged offside. Alex T had to look smart to come out and save on the edge of the box and after ths a great move involving Drew and Simon played Ross in but his shot was over the bar. Two quick breaks ended with Aidan and Reidy shooting at the keeper and Easington missed a chance to score however a through ball from Thatch put Aidan away again and this time he cleverly lifted the ball over the keeper for the third goal. From a quick throw in a Reidy overhead kick was saved by the keeper. Aidan played in Ross whose shot was saved and then Thach intercepted the ball and produced a low shot which just crept past with the keeper wrong footed. A Josh free kick was headed on by Aidan , the keeper parried it and Ross jumped to head the ball over the keeper and in to the net for the fourth goal. There was time for Thatch to beat the keeper to the ball , the keeper appeared to slipand fall over Thatch , the ball broke to Aidan who side footed home but the ref decided from some distance away that it was a foul to the home team.

A deserved three points then from a workmanlike display. Well done George F for a battling performance. It's up for the cup next with successive home games in the League Cup and B&B Cup to come.

Scorers Alex Frost 2

A beautiful sunny morning at Kennington saw H&H play the third league match of the season. George Reid made his debut in the blue and black.

H&H had a whirlwind start and within the first minute a move which saw Reidy pass to Jamie and then to Alex saw a low shot past the post. Almost straight away an Alex header put Thatch through but his effort was high over the bar. Then in the third minute Jamie and Alex combined for Reidy to shoot past. The home teams first chance came in the 6th minute when a shot from wide was over the bar and a couple of minutes later a chance was mis kicked wide for Kennington. A quick Tommo throw in was missed by Jamie and Reidy and the keeper clashed attempting to win the ball. A move down the flank saw the home team cut in and a flashing shot was well saved by Alex and Laurence cleared the rebound as applause for the save from both sides were ringing around the park. Shortly after a deep lob was palmed on to the bar and Aidan tidied up. Back came H&H and Ross turned and played in George who crossed to Simon who just failed to turn it in to the net. A move involving Josh winning the ball , Alex passing to Reidy saw a good cross blocked. From the throw in Alex shot wide. A good goal kick from Alex put put his namesake away and a good run and cross was smothered by the keeper. With seven minutes to half time a bouncing ball was crossed and a K forward shinned the ball over the line to put the home team ahead. two minutes from half time an Alex free kick was easily saved but the last chance before half time saw Jamie pass to Alex and from the tightest angle he rifled a shot low home for the equaliser. Half Time 1-1

If the first half was even the second belonged largely to H&H, an Alex cross was nearly latched on to by Ross and another cross saw panic in the home defence with two shots blocked. A corner broke to Reidy whose shot was just over the bar. Then Ross won the ball, fed Reidy and when Jamie was played in a K defender hacked over the bar. A Ross header from a corner went over the bar and a Jamie cross to Alex saw his shot easily saved. Thatch attempted to play in Alex but he was marginally offside. A Ross through ball to Simon was flicked just too wide for Alex to pick up. Seventeen minutes in to the half and Aidan strongy blocked a K move. A minute later and a fantastic free kick from the touchline was bulleted in to the top corner by Alex and H&H had the lead. Alex T had a good save following a throw in but H&H came back for more as Ross won the ball and fed Reidy whose ball to Simon was turned towards goal with the keeper saving. A Ross through ball just failed to reach Jamiie. A K cross was back heeled past but from a Thatch cross Simon just failed to connect. As the last few minutes ensued the pace of the game was frantic as H&H went for the killer goal Simon played it to Thatch whose low cross was somehow played over the bar from 6 yards by Alex. A Thatch shot was then blocked and cannoned on to the bar. In the last move Simon played it to Reidy who shot over. Final Whistle and three points to H&H.
Well done to every H&H player who battled all through the game well and stuck to their tasks.

Scorers Alex Frost 2, Ross MacDonald 2 , Simon Carter 1.

HHYFC visited Abingdon today for the 2nd League match of the season.

The game was delayed 15 minutes for the ref to turn up but it was the away team who were first to turn up the heat in this match , a Thatch through ball found Jamie whose shot was blocked. Thatch again found Alex whose deflected shot nearly caught out the keeper. In the fifth minute a Jamie cross saw Ross get his head to it but it was headed past for a corner by a home defender. In the 11th minute a low clearance from the keeper saw Alex pounce on the ball, control it and rifle home a low shot for the first goal of the game. In a neat move Jordan and Alex played a 1-2 before Alex crossed and Jamie shot just over. As a move broke down in the fifteenth minute the ball was pumped clear by the home team to Drew who cleverly chipped the ball in to the box for Ross to run on to and head the ball over the keeper in to the roof of the net to double the away teams lead. H&H were playing some controlled football and in the 22nd minute Simon turned and chipped the ball through for Alex to run on to and slide the ball low past the keeper for the third. It took the home team until the 23rd minute to register a chance however Alex made a fine flying save to deny them a goal. A period of possession play from H&H found the ball falling to Ross on the edge of the box who chipped the ball in off the crossbar to put H&H four up. This stung the home team in to action and Alex had to be smart to beat out a shot and from the rebound a further shot was bravely blocked by Aidan. A fine combination from Tommo and Jordan just failed to provide a cross for forwards to move on to and later Alex ran on to the ball but shot over the bar. A lovely ball form Simon to Alex and then to Thatch who crossed for Jordan to fire in to the side netting. Half Time 4-0

In the 2nd minute of the first half a great 1-2 from Tommo and Jamie saw Tommo provide a dangerous cross which was converted well by Simon low in to the net. Later Thatch and Simon combined and a cross was just missed by Jordan. Good work again by Tommo and Jamie saw the ball passed to George F who passed to Thatch who had a shot smothered. In a breakaway Alex had a good save from a shot. Following a foul on Jamie a free kick was waisted but just after Thatch and Jordan combined to see a Simon shot well saved. Both Thatch and Alex had long distance shots which were saved. Good wing work from Tommo and Jordan saw a cross blocked and Jamie supplied the cross for Alex whose cross shot slipped past. With just a few minutes left Abingdon won a corner and from the resultant scramble a loose ball was belted home. A Jamie cross found Ross who rolled it to George F and his shot was saved as the game petered out.

Good to get a win away from home with an improved performance this week.

Home scorers Scorers Alex Frost, Drew Boyd.

A lovely September afternoon for the first league match of the season.
George F , George T and Aidan made their debuts.

Almost from the kick off an Alex shot was hit low and wide. In the 3rd minute Ross fed Alex who passed to Jamie whose cross skimmed the xbar before falling awkwardly to Simon who could only scoop the ball to the keeper. A Horspath attack ended with a shot wide and straight away a Drew pass fed Alex who gratefully shot low in to the net for the opener. Only a couple of minutes later though and Horspath drew level with some clinical finishing. For the next few minutes the ball was held up in midfield before in the 15th minute Horspath again finished well to go 2-1 up. A breakaway almost saw a third for the away team before from a through ball Alex skipped past the keeper, his shot being semi blocked by a defender and from the resultant deflection Jordan could only shoot at the keeper. Alex T got down to smartly foil an attack before in a breakaway Jordan fed Alex who could not get a clear shot in. On the cusp of the half time break Horspath scored a third with another quality finish.
In the first minute of the half the away team went 4-1 up with a good shot. For 15 minutes the home team applied pressure and good work by Alex and Jamie saw Ross clip the ball over the bar. Ross fed Drew whose cross was tipped away from Jamie who was closing in and a Ross header sent Alex away who then played it to Jamie whose cross scraped the crossbar. An Alex cross was then met by Aidan who hit the post when it looked as if he would score and not long after Jamie shot over the bar. Perhaps if we had scored during this period it may have supplied some impetus but in the 21st minute Horspath again showed how to finish from a simple cross. A lovely Drew pass found an Aidin shot well saved. A period where the ball bounced about and was not cleared saw a Horspath shot hit the corner of the net and clearly bouyed by the score a quite magnificent finish saw the away team get a seventh from well outside the box in injury time. Just time for Drew to chip the keeper for a consolation at the end.
Much to work on for the trip to Abingdon next week and hopefully some injuries will clear up in time.