9A Hill lose in closely fought
match
Buckhurst Hill A 2 - 3 Ridgeway Rovers A
(Echo League)
Jason McMullen, 31st January 2010
Ridgeway Rovers ‘A’ hosted a thrilling match
at the Peter May centre in frosty conditions. Ridgeway
are having a fine season, currently second in the league and
playing well. This is the return fixture which saw
Ridgeway run out comfortably winners in the last time the
teams met in October 09.
‘The Hill’ were upbeat before the game
manager Wilson had a full squad to choose from and changed
the formation playing 2-3-1 trying to give more support to
midfield to influence the game. The starting team was
Long in goal, Fox &
Park in defence, Wilson in
a holding midfield role, Gueli and
Haidar in midfield, Allen
as the lone striker and King,
Koczan and Tebbutt as the
bench options.
The Hill started the game well, both teams
were competitive but The Hill looked dangerous going forward
with Allen and Haidar
creating early shooting chances. Haidar opened the
scoring with an excellent midfield run and shot which the
Rovers keeper spilled into the net for 1-0. Rovers
responded within minutes after a Hill attack broke down they
counter attacked from one end to the other in a race to goal
with Park and Fox in
pursuit the Rovers striker finished for 1-1.
King came on for
Park in defence and Tebbutt
for Gueli in midfield to give The Hill other
options. Captain Wilson was having a
strong game in midfield, snuffing out any loose balls and
creating attacks for Tebbutt and
Haidar to run at the Rovers defence.
It was Wilson’s pass that put
Allen 1 on 1 with the last Rovers defender
which resulted in Allen being fouled right
on the edge of the Rovers box.
Haidar’s resulting free-kick bought a
desperate save from the Rovers keeper for a corner.
Half time finished 1-1.
Second half saw more of the same action from
both teams; Koczan started the second half
in place of Tebbutt.
Koczan had almost immediate impact on
right midfield when his pressure resulted in a series of
throws from Fox to Allen,
his clever roll back beat the defender and resulting cross
into the box found an unmarked Haidar to
smash the ball home for 2-1.
Rovers bought on their subs and within
minutes were pressuring Hill’s defence with passes, shots and
crosses. Inevitably, a cross from right midfield put
Fox and King under pressure
to clear and the loose ball fell to a Rovers player to finish
from close range for 2-2.
The game was now anybody's as both teams were
going for the win, Rovers seemed to have the edge as they
were back on terms. Goalkeeper Long
who had another strong performance could not do anything
about the run and shot for the 2-3.
With both teams tiring towards the final part
of the game, it was credit to the Hill’s never say die spirit
as Wilson kept grinding out the tackles and
passes and Tebbutt had and inspired spell
down the right of midfield with three or four penetrating
runs. It was not to be our day and the final score
finished 2-3 to Rovers.
The Hill who were unlucky not get something
from the game on this effort. Despite the loss, the manager
Wilson told the team they showed great character, good shape,
excellent tackling and defending and with this kind of
performance we are sure to pick up goals and points.
Next week we look forward to playing Wadham at
home.
MOM. Wilson