Match report
Hawthorne Rangers 1 - 1 Moon JFC
by Eddie Bernard
Tell us what you think about the match below...
(This first paragraph is especially for the benefit of Matty)
An eerie gloom descended upon Buckley Hill. Thick mist, rolling in from the West, shrouded the crossbar and corner flags. In the distance, the sun was desperately trying to break through the cloud cover, shining against the shadowy-backlit figures of the Hawthorne Rangers team, who were busy preparing themselves for a difficult challenge against a physically strong Moon JFC. But the still air and the mild, damp conditions were excellent for football. The atmosphere was pregnant not just with precipitation, but expectation. Perspiration would soon follow...
(That's enough - Ed.)
Meanwhile, in the real world, Hawthorne Rangers scraped out a deserved draw against a lackluster Moon JFC. Though short of a few players, including goalkeeper Darren, Hawthorne put in a great shift to grind out a point, and if the chips had fallen another way they could have got even more from the match.
It could have been worse, however, if Hawthorne had let their heads go down after the first goal. From the kickoff Hawthorne were immediately under the kosh. Perhaps their minds were still in Wigan watching Titus Bramble putting in another outstanding tackle, or witnessing the sheer genius of a Heskey backheeled goal, but the end result was a poorly defended corner which was hit fast to the near post. A Moon player kicked the ball in, completing the simplest of goals. 1-0.
Hawthorne had to hit back and quick. Moon were sensing a cricket score, a chance to improve their goal difference, but Hawthorne had other ideas. They started to find their feet, some good passing and moving between Jay, Ray, Charlie and Mark started to pay dividends. Two chances were ruled out for offside, but in any case they were positive signs that Hawthorne were going to get opportunities in the game.
As if to confirm the theory the next chance Hawthorne got was even better. Charlie broke free and homed in on goal. Chasing after him was a Moon defender, who launched into a tackle from behind. From the sidelines it looked like a clear penalty... unfortunately it wasn't given, and so the game played on as Hawthorne wasted the opportunity from the resulting corner.
Moon weren't going to stand for this, and so stepped up a gear. They got forward, but at times their game plan looked a little one dimensional: hit a huge long ball and hope they would get on the end of it, and if that failed take potshots from 30 yards. That's not to say that it didn't work bring them chances - a little more composure in front of goal would have brought them at least two goals - but most of the time Warren, Josh, Matty and Joe dealt with the threat effectively.
As half-time drew nearer Hawthorne were still very much in the game, and were about to improve their chances a whole lot more. The ball reached Ray in midfield, who pressed forward with Charlie a few steps ahead, both players having only two defenders for company. The next pass from Ray would make or break the chance - and sure enough it had perfect weight. Charlie got onto the end of it, with just the keeper to beat, and slotted home a cool finish.
The whistle went for half-time, and at 1-1 there really was no telling which way the game was going to go. If Hawthorne could hold it together they would certainly get more chances, but what would Moon try to change the game?
In fact, there was very little they could do. The momentum remained with Hawthorne in the second period. Moon got more and more rattled as the minutes went by and the frustration levels went through the roof. The swearing from the opposition sideline was embarrasing, and some parents spotted the air turning notably blue on the other side of the pitch.
Hawthorne continued to pass and move well, developing half-chances of their own, but not being able to get something out of it. The strength in midfield was definitely being increased thanks to the addition of Eddy, who had put in a good performance in goal in the first half but now was playing out to give Hawthorne more options.
But at the back Hawthorne remained resolute. Moon did get more opportunities to score, but once more they were either too casual with the finish, or some inspired Hawthorne defending saved the day. Josh made two exceptional tackles to deny Moon players clean through on goal, and two further blocks on the line when everyone else had been beaten. Warren was working just as hard, getting his head to almost every cross. It was great to watch.
Things could have been even better for Hawthorne if Mark hadn't been denied by an impressive diving save to the Moon goalkeeper's left with 15 minutes to go. Even after the save it looked like the ball had enough spin on it to go towards goal, but it sneaked agonisingly wide.
Hawthorne probably wore themselves out in pressing for a winner, and so with 10 minutes to go they needed to shut up shop. Moon were desperate to get it, but outstanding defending continued to keep them at bay, including two crucial saves from Matty, one of them tipped over the bar, and the second one right at the death to ensure the spoils were shared.
The final whistle came and Hawthorne ended quite pleased with their performance. The game could have gone either way, and so perhaps the draw was the fair result. A winner in the dying seconds would have been desperately cruel to either side, and probably would have caused a riot...
Man of the match performance today was Josh, for his tireless commitment to breaking up the Moon attacks and numerous crucial interventions to deny the opposition a chance to score.
Hawthorne continue with their progress, and though they are still waiting for their first win they can't be far from it now. The effort from the players can't be faulted, and the chances are starting to come. The best thing to take from this game is the fact that, hopefully, with Darren back next week, the team can be strengthened even further.
| Team for the game | |||
| Eddy / Matty (GK) | |||
| Josh | Matty | Warren | Joe |
| Adam B | Jay | Danny | Mark |
| Charlie | Ray | ||
Subs: Ryan (HT)
Man of the Match: Josh
What do you think? Post your comments below...