12^th November 2011 – St Edmunds

Damp and Misty

1^ST HALF

Good early pressure from the boys, with Freddie hitting the crossbar.  Ethan made a good break crossing to Sam who shot just wide with another effort from Freddie.  Great work from Ethan, Guy and Freddie.  HH ended 1^st half with the majority of the possession with just the one effort at goal from St Ed’s.

2^ND HALF

St Ed’s scored almost straight from kick off against the earlier run of play.  HH picked themselves up and put the pressure back on.  Bailey came on for Sam.  St Ed’s started to get back into the game only for Bailey to net an equaliser 1-1.  St Ed’s made a break and Charley and Latham defended well.  Charley made a very firm challenge and sadly took a knock taking him out of the action.

The game ended 1-1 which isn’t a true reflection on the way the boy’s dominated the majority of the game.

Kevin Chung

18^th November 2011 – Berinsfield

Overcast and Cloudy

GAME1

1^ST HALF

HH took advantage of the ‘SWPE; with a blistering start with shots from Finlay and Freddie.  Great assist from Finlay with Freddie finishing well 1-0.

This was followed by another great effort from Freddie immediately after the restart making it 2-0.  HH piled up the pressure around the box with Freddie getting a third. 3-0 and a hat trick for Freddie!

There was a lot of good passing going when the ball went out of play with Finlay taking a good quick throw to Freddie who got his fourth of the morning 4-0.

2^ND HALF

HH continued where they left off with a great ball from Guy to Finlay who went round the Berinsfield keeper and scored 5-0.

Berinsfield did well to try and get back in the game getting a consolation goal

5-1.

Freddie took a knock and was replaced by Bailey.  Ethan cleared the ball from his penalty box to Sam who put in Finlay who went on to score 6-1.

Berinsfield continued to try and get back into it, only to be foiled by Ethan who made a couple of good stops.

GAME2

1^ST HALF

HH started well with a good try from Bailey.  Bailey followed this with a great cross to Ethan who took his chance well.  1-0 to HH.

Bailey, on good form, passed to Guy (who has been playing superbly), finished very well 2-0.

The action continued with Isaac shooting just wide.  Harvey was alert when Berinsfield made a break, defending well.

Berinsfield’s keeper made a good stop from a shot from Ethan, followed by another good save from Guy’s effort.

The ball was loose just inside the Berinsfield half when Bailey ‘lobbed’ the keeper 3-0.

Berinsfield replied with a goal just before half time 3-1.

2^ND HALF

Berinsfield began to get back into the game.  Ethan made another great stop in goal, followed by his namesake scoring to make it 4-1.

Guy made a good break down the right getting the ball across to Ethan who scored again 5-1.

GAME3

1^ST HALF

Another great start from Freddie with a goal 1-0.

The boy’s took a quick corner with Latham clipping the post from his header.  God teamwork from the boy’s culminating in another goal from Freddie 2-0.

Harvey showed good concentration when called upon in goal.

The action carried on just outside the Berinsfield box with a great back heel from Freddie to Kian who had a great attempt.

HH won a penalty with Latham lashing it in! 3-0.

Guy and Freddie worked down the right with Freddie finishing to make it 4-0.

2^ND HALF

Berinsfield started well with Charley having to make a good clearance.

Bailey took a chance well making it 5-0.

Kian made a good tackle with the ball eventually going to Latham who lashed another one in from over 20 yards 6-0.

Latham followed this with a bit of ‘showboating’ from a goal kick! Berinsfield scored 6-1.More good defending from Charley, followed by a great cross from Sam.  Berinsfield replied with a good lobbed effort making it 6-2, only for Sam to respond with another goal 7-2.

Latham finished the game with a great shot that was stopped by a good save from the keeper.

Kevin Chung

St Edmonds Park v HHYFC  Game 2
12 Nov 2011

Ethan (gk)
Defence: Isaac, Charlie
Midfield: James, Guy, Bailey
Forward: Freddie

For the second game, Harwell scored the goals that their play and possession deserved in a comfortable win.

From the start the boys were much sharper, attacking down the left wing where Guy sent in a great cross for Bailey to score with a neat finish; 1-0

Harwell continued to attack, Freddie sending in a cross from the right that Guy almost got on the end of. The ball was deflected off a St Edmonds player for a throw-in which they took quickly. The ball came to Freddie who flicked it towards goal only for it to be turned around the post for a corner. From the now famous short-corner routine, Guy played the ball to Freddie who scored with a great shot from a tight angle into the top right corner of the goal. 2-0

From the kick off, James won the ball back, passed it to Freddie who used some skill to get past the St Edmonds defenders and into the box, and scored with a hard shot into the middle of the goal. 3-0

There followed a period of possession for Harwell, with plenty of chances. Bailey had a shot that went for a corner, James showed some neat skill to create a chance for Guy that the keeper did well to save. Freddie had a shot that was just over the bar, there was a great move between Guy and Bailey, who got the ball to Isaac, whose shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper.
Eventually St Edmonds managed to keep possession for a period and string some passes together, but Charlie James and Isaac combined to stop the attack and win the ball back.

The half was coming to an end, but Harwell managed to find time to score two more goals; another quick throw-in came to Freddie who unleashed a powerful shot. The keeper got a touch but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line and Freddie’s hat-trick was complete. 4-0. Shortly before the whistle Guy had a great shot that cannoned off the bar and fell to Bailey who controlled well and put the ball into the net 5-0
HALF TIME Harwell 5 StEdmonds Park 0

The second half saw some changes, with Finlay, Sam and Harvey on for Freddie, Bailey and Charlie.

Harwell went on the attack, hungry for more goals. James, who was having a good game in the middle of the park, went by a couple of players and won a throw-in. The ball reached Finlay who crossed to Guy, who took a first time shot that went just wide – if it had gone in it would have been a fantastic goal – unlucky.

Guy crossed from the right to Sam, whose shot went for a corner. The corner was cleared to Harvey who passed to Sam. Sam created some space to get off a shot but put it just wide under pressure from a St Edmonds defender. Guy was getting up a head of steam and was all over the pitch – he burst through the middle and put Sam clean through, but the keeper did brilliantly and smothered the ball. The St Edmond keeper was proving to be their man-of-the-match. In fact, he would go on to be Harwell’s nemesis for the remainder of the half. After some neat skill on the edge of the box, Guy was tripped in the area for a stonewall penalty. Sam stepped up to take the penalty, struck it low to the left but the keeper pulled off a fantastic save; he did even better to save the three follow-up chances and the ball eventually went out for a goal kick.

Nevertheless, Harwell kept attacking in search of another goal. St Edmonds certainly never looked like scoring,with the midfielders getting back for Harwell to support the defence whenever the opposition got the ball. Harwell’s pressure eventually produced the goal they deserved and finished the match in style. Finlay went on a great run down the right wing and produced a nice cut-back to James, who passed it to Sam. Sam showed neat control to get past two defenders and crossed the ball onto the penalty spot for Guy to finish off a great move and finally beat the St Edmonds keeper. 6-0

The last action of the game fittingly involved the St Edmonds keeper making a great save after some neat Harwell play – Finlay and Guy exchanging passes on the right wing resulting in a shot from Guy that the keeper did well to save. The whistle blew, and the players shook hands – Harwell players and fans very happy!

FULL TIME: HHYFC 6 – St Edmonds Park 0

Scorers:
Freddie 3
Bailey 2
Guy 1

Quotes: ‘Blimey, it’s misty – can we play with luminous balls??? 

St Edmonds Park v HHYFC  Game 3
12 Nov 2011

Ethan T (gk)
Defence: Latham, Harvey
Midfield: Kian, Freddie, Bailey
Forward: Ethan H

Game three was a much closer affair with some open play by both teams, but it was the proverbial ‘game of two halves’. It started with Harwell on the attack, Freddie crossing from the right wing and finding Bailey whose shot was saved. The ball was cleared by the keeper into the middle of the pitch where Harvey was fouled whilst trying to control the ball. Harwell scored from the resulting free kick; Latham smashed the ball onto the bar and Bailey pounced, only to see the goalie push the ball out to Ethan. He managed to control the ball despite a defender trying to close him down, and get a shot off that the keeper missed and the ball agonisingly rolled over the line for Harwell’s first goal. 1-0

Harwell were feeling confident now, and started to attack with pace. Bailey got the ball, used some close control to get past the rushing defender and shot across the goal line, but the keeper managed to pick up the ball. From his clearance, Kian got the ball, passed to Ethan, who played a neat one-two with Bailey. The ball got to Freddie who crossed from the right but the keeper pushed it wide for a corner. Bailey took the corner and put it into the mix, but after a little scramble the ball eventually went out for a goal kick. The goalkeeper made a rare mistake from the goal kick, and kicked it straight to Freddie, who gratefully received the gift and smashed it straight back into the middle of the goal past the despondent keeper. 2-0

Harwell were keeping hold of the ball nicely and producing some neat touches – one memorable  move involved a one-two between Latham and Freddie’s bottom! Latham eventually crossed to Bailey but his shot narrowly missed. A throw-in from Harvey went to Ethan, who laid it off to Freddie who found some space to get off another shot that just went over the bar. From the resulting goal kick the keeper did much better and booted the ball straight through the middle, and finding a St Edmonds forward clean through on goal. But Ethan was alert and came rushing off his line to clear the ball before the attacker got there.

The half ended with some nice passing between Kian and Harvey on the left wing.

HALF TIME: HHYFC 2- St Edmonds Park 0

Substitutions:
Isaac, Sam and Finlay on for Ethan H, Freddie and Bailey

The second half saw St Edmonds come back into it a bit more, but not before some good play from Harwell. One move involved some great passes between Isaac, Kian, back to Isaac, and on to Sam who had his shot blocked. Isaac produced some skill in the middle of the park and managed to wriggle free to lay the ball off to Sam, who took the ball into the box only for the defence to clear the ball before he could pull the trigger. More good passing almost created a third Harwell goal; Kian played it to Harvey who passed it to Finlay. Finlay took a touch before rocketing a shot towards goal that was too hot for the keeper, who spilled it into Sam’s path. Sam took a shot but the keeper had recovered well to make the save.

The rest of the half was all about St Edmonds – well, more like Ethan T, who produced some great saves to keep them at bay. A burst from midfield by St Edmonds saw Ethan called into action in a one-on-one situation but he was stood up and made himself big and pulled off the save. In another move, St Edmonds crossed from the right but Ethan gathered the ball and showed good distribution to throw the ball out to Finlay and launch a Harwell attack.

As the half wore on, St Edmonds were getting desperate and the fouls started to fly in. Latham was caught by one and had to be replaced by Charlie. He was straight into the action with a shot from distance that the keeper did well to catch. But finally St Edmonds breached the Harwell defence with a quick counter-attack down the right wing. Ethan could do nothing to stop the St Edmonds attacker, who showed good skill to get round him and put the ball into the net. St Edmonds saw an opportunity to get something from the match and were desperately trying to get the ball into the Harwell box, but the team defended well to keep them at bay.

The game ended with Harwell attacking and Kian almost grabbing a goal. He picked up the ball from the middle of the park and as he approached the area unleashed a shot that almost took the keeper by surprise, but he managed to hold onto the ball and the whistle blew for the end of the game.

FULL TIME: HHYFC 2 – St Edmonds Park 1

Goals:
Ethan H 1
Freddie 1

Quotes: ‘Thank goodness they didn’t tip water over me today!!!’

Well played boys – great passing and teamwork in all three games.

15.10.11

Radley Boys v HHYFC 8’s

Dry and sunny

Ethan(GK)

Charley(LB)

Latham(RB)

Bailey(M)

Sam(M)

Freddie(M)

Ethan(F)

Subs: Isaac, Guy, Kian, James.

1^st Half:

Radley kicked off and lost possession allowing Freddie to make a great run ending with a shot at goal, this was followed by a great lobbed effort from Bailey.

Freddie and Bailey linked up well with another shot from Bailey.

Great quick corner from Sam with a good run from Bailey, passing to Ethan who finished well.

0 – 1 to HH( Note: Well rehearsed quick corners at training ! )

HH kept the pressure on the Radley defence with a good attempt at goal from Sam.

2^nd Half

Great link up play between Freddie, Ethan and Sam ( heads up and looking ! )

Although not under much pressure, Charley was alert when called upon to make a robust

challenge.

Continued pressure on Radley defence with Ethan hitting the woodwork, shots from Freddie and culminating with a goal from Sam.

0 – 2 to HH

Charley was solid in defence with a good tackle.

Freddie picked up the ball well from inside his own half, made a great run and finished just wide .

All in all, a great effort from all the boys and a great result. 

Game 1:

Goal Keeper: Guy

Defence: Latham and Charlie

Midfield: Freddie

Wing: Finn & Bailey

Striker: Ethan

Bench: Sam, James & Isaac

This was the opening match of the Under 8’s Campaign which saw them away to Botley Boys for the 1^stgame of the season.

The 1^stgame started well with an early shot by Bailey, and then following this a break by Freddie with a ricochet of a shot which flew off the bar.  Picking up the ricochet Ethan managed to put the ball in the goal – 1 -0 to Harwell & Hendred

Latham and Charlie provided good covering clearances at the back and Freddie pushed forward putting pressure on the already creaky Botley defence.  Bailey from a goal kick managed to secure possession and slammed home goal number 2.  2 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred

From the kick off it was a frenetic pace with Harwell & Hendred pushing forward with a strike from Finn which was followed up by Freddie which was just wide of the mark.  Latham was able to clear into the box and there was a break by Botley leading to a goal.  2 – 1 to Harwell & Hendred

From the restart there was a fast response from Harwell & Hendred with Freddie tearing up the pitch, slotting a cross to Ethan, goal!  3 – 1 to Harwell & Hendred

From the kick off there was a further break by Finn with a clearance by Charlie.  This was crossed to Freddie which was subsequently, much to the disappointment of the Botley crowd, an own goal.  Halftime score: 4 – 1 to Harwell & Hendred

Following half-time Harwell & Hendred were rampant in the ascendency with Bailey putting Botley under pressure but a foul on Finn, hence a dropped ball (cries of “Not a free kick?” from the Harwell & Hendred massive!)  Again clearances by Charlie with the ball falling to Bailey who pushed it wide to Finn, however, the ball fell into the wrong hands and the clearance was picked up by Botley and they swooped in to score.  4 – 2 to Harwell & Hendred

There was a good goal kick from Latham to Finn which put further pressure on Botley with a good clearance by Latham which was followed up with Finn slotting a ball through to Ethan and that led to goal number 5 by full time. 

An excellent start for the boys showing some good passing and good awareness of space on the pitch.

End Result:  5 – 2 to Harwell & Hendred

Game 2:

Goal Keeper: Latham

Defence: Freddie & Charlie

Midfield: Guy

Wing: Sam & Isaac

Striker: James

This was the debut for James having recently moved up from Richard’s Academy and what a start this turned out to be! From the kick off the pace was frenetic with Sam passing to Guy with numerous throw-ins and Finn securing a shot which was just wide of the mark.

Straight from the goal kick, Guy picked the ball up and slammed it home in what the Harwell & Hendred Massive thought was a goal as the ball had obviously crossed the line.  However, the chap (Botley Fan) stood by the goal with his umbrella (Ella, Ella - Look out Rihanna!) was obviously looking the opposite way at the time!!  The Harwell & Hendred Massive were in complete up roar at this point.

Further pressure put on Harwell & Hendred by Botley, but Charlie and Freddie were solid at the back with Charlie launching a ball forward which fell straight at Guy’s feet which he slammed home.  1 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred

From the kick off Finn was able to recoup the ball and with Charlie coming in for a clearance on an early Botley break he was unfortunately injured and had to come off.  James was put on and pressure from Harwell & Hendred showed a creaky defence by Botley Boys with Freddie taking the ball from defence down the line, slotting it across to James in the middle who scored. What a debut for the new youngster!  2 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred

From the kick off Guy was able to secure possession and pass this down the line to Isaac who blasted a shot but this was just wide. 

Again Freddie, from the kick off, was able to secure the ball and had a shot from his own half which was unfortunately just wide.  Halftime score: 2 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred

In the second half Bailey came on and Finn went off for a well deserved rest.  Freddie’s tackling was inspired as Botley pushed forward.

However, solid clearances from the back led to a break by Guy but the goal keeper was able to save this, forcing a corner.  The short corner from Guy to Sam with Freddie and James combining in the box, however they were unable to secure a further goal.

Harwell & Hendred showed great vision in tracking to cover; however, this led to a foul on Bailey, hence the free kick.  Bailey slotted the ball through to Freddie and again the shot was just wide. 

Following the corner Harwell & Hendred put further pressure on the Botley defence which led to Freddie being bought down and screams of “Penalty” from all around (particularly the Harwell & Hendred Massive!)

Freddie placed the ball on the spot took several steps back and blasted the ball into the top centre of the goal, leaving the Botley keeper with more chance of meeting Elvis in Tesco than saving that rocket!  3 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred

Following the re-start there was a further break, Isaac and multiple shops by Sam and James were saved.  James was able to dance around the Botley defence, setting Isaac up for a shot which resulted in three further shots, which the keeper saved; unfortunately none of them were able to find the net.

The game came to an end with a 3 – 0 win to Harwell & Hendred.

Game 3:

Slight change to the line up with Charlie pushing up to the Left Wing.

From the kick off Harwell & Hendred were sniffing out a third win to try and obtain a clean sweep. Charlie was able to clear to Finn with Latham going straight up the middle (like a bull – no resemblance to the great man himself a.k.a father to Latham – Coach Johnny).

The first half saw Bailey push forward but with shots by Botley, the boys retreated but there was safety in numbers at the back.  Latham was able to slot the ball down the line to Finn whose shot was just wide.

Botley sniffing they may get something out of this game pushed forward; however, Charlie and Finn were able to secure the ball.  Sadly this resulted in a foul on the far side when Guy took one to the “McNuggets”.  The swift kick to the proverbials brought tears to the whole Harwell & Hendred Massive.  Following the threat of the magic sponge, Guy was up and running around like a kid possessed. 

The re-start saw Ethan push forward, slotting the ball through to Finn which resulted in a corner.  There was a goal mouth scramble with shots being parried by the keeper from Guy, Finn, Charlie and Bailey. 

Botley were able to clear their line and press forward, however, they were swiftly cut off due to lovely passing from Finn to Guy which led to Bailey and Ethan both having shots which were just wide of the mark. 

Some nifty trickery by Guy saw his shot being turned round the post for a corner.  The corner saw a save by Botley with No 7 for Botley being taken out by Charlie (legally of course).

Repeated throw-ins to Harwell & Hendred occurred down the left hand side of the pitch, however, it proved a fruitless half for Harwell & Hendred. 

Halftime saw a change to the line up with Latham and James in defence, Sam in goal, Freddie on for Guy, with Isaac and Charlie on the wings and Bailey up front.

From the off, the ball was slotted through to Charlie who unleashed a cannon of a shot which was just wide of post (bet the keeper was thankful for this).  This resulted in a corner.  Botley were able to clear their line, however, Harwell and Hendred sniffing a chance for the win, broke down the right hand side with Isaac pushing forward and slotting the ball through to Guy, however, the shot by Freddie was cleared and Botley continued to pressure and secured a corner.  During this passage of play there was some, as Coach Dave would say “agricultural defending!” by Botley, with Freddie being taken down and awarded a free kick. 

The free kick led to some beautiful one touch passing between Bailey, Charlie and Freddie and back to Bailey with his shot being pushed wide. 

Freddie, securing possession, broke down the left hand side of the pitch and slammed his foot through the ball but again this resulted in the ball hitting the side netting.

No 7 for Botley went on a bit of wander down field but was soon put in his place by Latham who secured possession and slotted a beautifully waited pass through to Bailey which saw Charlie have a shot which was again wide, hitting the side netting.

The dying seconds of the game were approaching when Freddie saw a break and shot down the centre of the field and unleashed a shot which left the Botley keeper rooted to the spot. 

1 – 0 to Harwell & Hendred at fulltime

An excellent start for the boys on their first game of the season with a clean sweep of three wins.  A big up to the Harwell & Hendred Massive and of course thanks to Coach Dave and associates.

Journo for the day – Jamie Walthall

Under 8s Match Reports will be posted here.