Hormead Hares F.C.

Stevenage Borough v Hormead Hares

                             5 v 1

                            (3 v 1)

                                          Min 24                        AN Other 10, 16, 23, 43, 48

Line-up: Conor, AJ, Jack, Isaac, Harry, Katharine, Min, Owen, Toby, Miles, Edwards

Subs: Will, Charlie

Matches against Stevenage are always tough. Back in the mists of time, according to local folklore, Hares did defeat a Stevenage side in a Cup game. It was a victory that went down in history; could Hares repeat the feat today ?

Hares started the brighter of the two teams, Owen and Min passing the ball confidently and linking together well with Toby on the left wing. Ten minutes gone though and and Stevenage scored with their first meaningful attack. Slightly against the run of play to be brutally frank.

GOAL ! 1-0

The early goal didn’t knock Hares out of their stride though. The word ‘triangles’ sprang to mind as Edward, Toby and Min stroked the ball around in an isosceles fashion. An equilateral approach seemed to work better though and Stevenage seized on the latter, Conor having to be at his cat-like best to pluck the ball out of mid-air following a Stevenage counter-attack. Stevenage picked up the resulting kick, jinked through a static defence and doubled their lead.

GOAL ! 2-0

Still Hares’ confidence wasn’t dented and Owen shot narrowly wide having been played in skilfully by Miles. Stevenage were content to soak up this Hares pressure though, and breaking quickly scored again.

GOAL ! 3-0

The game was opening up now and a ever-so-slightly overhit pass from Min almost set Edward up for what would have been a cracking goal. And then Hares scored ! Min latched onto the ball on the edge of the box and placed it beautifully past the outstretched hand of the Stevenage keeper.

GOAL ! 3-1

HALFTIME 3-1

Hares defence was now getting the better of the Stevenage forwards. Harry and Katharine were battling well for the ball with AJ always keen to break out of defence and link up with the midfield.  Jack and Isaac were communicating well enabling the back line to push up and give the home team less space than they had in the first half. A tactical switch early in the second half saw Will and Charlie bolster the midfield and it all seemed slightly rosier for the visitors.

Until an uncharacteristic lack of concentration allowed Stevenage to break through and finally put the game beyond any reasonable doubt.

GOAL ! 4-1

A direct free kick was then bravely saved by Conor and the followup was tipped round the post. The home team’s confidence was increasing by the minute and five minutes later the fifth was scored.

GOAL ! 5-1

To be honest, Hares still tried their best at this late stage and could have scored at least one or two more, but it wasn’t to be. A great effort against a very strong Stevenage side.

FULLTIME 5-1