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Match Report 22nd Feb First Win
Graham Cotton22 Feb 2014 - 19:00
UFC 2-4 Hambledon (A’s)
For the first time in a month, the A’s had a game. Glorious sunshine greeted the team in Wrecclesham. Unfortunately the pitch didn’t match the weather. A surface was a mixture of mud and sand with rather large potholes dotted around, but the game was on.
The game started slowly for Hambledon. UFC taking the lead early as Alex Mussell was caught out by the UFC centre forward and produced a delightful finish past Nathan (insert surname).
But unlike in previous games, Hambledon didn’t go into their shell. There was a determination that was very visible. The central midfield trio of Andy Peacock, Oliver Cummings and Jamie Stevens got amongst the UFC midfield and with the support of the wide players Sam Coombe and Jack Cotton the front two of Ryan Luff and Grant Flint had a lot of service.
And it wasn’t long until Hambledon were level. A shot came in which the UFC keeper ought to have dealt with but spilt at the feet of Jamie who made no mistake from 12 yards.
Before long it was 2. Andy Peacock found space in the area and tucked the ball past the keeper. Hambledon winning and looking good for it.
Before half time however UFC were level. They were awarded a free kick wide on their left side. The ball was whipped in and it appeared to take I nick of a Hambledon head which wrong footed Nathan. A bit of misfortune for Hambledon.
Both sides had chances for a half time lead. UFC going close twice and forcing a good save from Nathan. For Hambledon, first half substitute Russell Cole squandering a glorious chance.
The second half began tentatively, both sides battling in midfield looking for the advantage. About 15 minutes in the defining moment of the game came. Half time substitute Adam Cook picked up the ball just outside the box and attempted to dink a ball in. It struck the arm of the UFC defender. The referee blew and awarded the penalty. Oliver Cummings stepped up confidently and calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner.
20 minutes from the end of the game, the coach talks to the remaining subs “ fellas I don’t want to make any changes at the moment unless I need to” a true A’s team response was led by Juls saying, “ we don’t mind, we are happy to watch the team pull off a result”. That is team spirit of the highest order.
From then on Hambledon were in control. UFC hardly troubling Nathan. The back three of Steve Jay, Marcus Morren and Alex Mussell were more than up for the challenge and dealt with anything thrown at them.
As the game drew to a close the ball was slipped through to Grant who ran in on goal. He clinically put the ball in the back of the net and there were sighs of relieve and roars of delight as he did so.
The whistle blew and Hambledon had their long overdue first win. The game may have been marred by UFC’s foul language and poor attitude but no one associated with Hambledon had a care.
MoM Ryan Luff
Written by A’s reported Adam Cook
For the first time in a month, the A’s had a game. Glorious sunshine greeted the team in Wrecclesham. Unfortunately the pitch didn’t match the weather. A surface was a mixture of mud and sand with rather large potholes dotted around, but the game was on.
The game started slowly for Hambledon. UFC taking the lead early as Alex Mussell was caught out by the UFC centre forward and produced a delightful finish past Nathan (insert surname).
But unlike in previous games, Hambledon didn’t go into their shell. There was a determination that was very visible. The central midfield trio of Andy Peacock, Oliver Cummings and Jamie Stevens got amongst the UFC midfield and with the support of the wide players Sam Coombe and Jack Cotton the front two of Ryan Luff and Grant Flint had a lot of service.
And it wasn’t long until Hambledon were level. A shot came in which the UFC keeper ought to have dealt with but spilt at the feet of Jamie who made no mistake from 12 yards.
Before long it was 2. Andy Peacock found space in the area and tucked the ball past the keeper. Hambledon winning and looking good for it.
Before half time however UFC were level. They were awarded a free kick wide on their left side. The ball was whipped in and it appeared to take I nick of a Hambledon head which wrong footed Nathan. A bit of misfortune for Hambledon.
Both sides had chances for a half time lead. UFC going close twice and forcing a good save from Nathan. For Hambledon, first half substitute Russell Cole squandering a glorious chance.
The second half began tentatively, both sides battling in midfield looking for the advantage. About 15 minutes in the defining moment of the game came. Half time substitute Adam Cook picked up the ball just outside the box and attempted to dink a ball in. It struck the arm of the UFC defender. The referee blew and awarded the penalty. Oliver Cummings stepped up confidently and calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner.
20 minutes from the end of the game, the coach talks to the remaining subs “ fellas I don’t want to make any changes at the moment unless I need to” a true A’s team response was led by Juls saying, “ we don’t mind, we are happy to watch the team pull off a result”. That is team spirit of the highest order.
From then on Hambledon were in control. UFC hardly troubling Nathan. The back three of Steve Jay, Marcus Morren and Alex Mussell were more than up for the challenge and dealt with anything thrown at them.
As the game drew to a close the ball was slipped through to Grant who ran in on goal. He clinically put the ball in the back of the net and there were sighs of relieve and roars of delight as he did so.
The whistle blew and Hambledon had their long overdue first win. The game may have been marred by UFC’s foul language and poor attitude but no one associated with Hambledon had a care.
MoM Ryan Luff
Written by A’s reported Adam Cook
Further reading