Match Report - 9th March 2008

Headstone arranged this friendly against Junior Bees of the West Surrey League since we again had no match. Junior Bees are in Div I presently position 3rd having played 22 games this season winning 18 of them. Headstone went into this game missing a few first team regulars and was looking forward to the challenge of different players from a different league.

Before we talk about the match I would firstly like to comment on how welcoming the Junior Bees Club had been. We walked on to a first class pitch that puts many of the pitches in our League to shame. What a nice way to run the warm up with a cup of coffee from the Club house next to the pitch. Tony the manager and Martin the club Chairman introduced themselves and there was a warm welcome from the opposition parents. The pitch was marked with supporter lines so that everyone acknowledged these before the game started. We knew that this was a first rate club run by football people.

The game started with both sets of boys looking a bit nervous, almost immediately a ball was put through to Liam who broke through at pace to earn himself a one on one chance that he put over the bar. The Bees looked a bit stunned and were finding it difficult to clear their lines. The Bees though earned the first clear cut chance when their excellent right winger went around James to deliver a cross that was met by Joey instead of the forward. Headstone soon started to dominate the midfield the physical presence of Ryan and Tyrell was proving too much for Junior Bees. Liam again broke the offside trap to drill the ball past the goalkeeper. Headstone started to raise their game and a second soon game when Ryan’s excellent header from the corner went over the defence for Michael to run onto and catch on the volley to make it 2-0. Headstone soon added a third. Unfortunately the brave Bees goalkeeper was forced to leave the game after a clash with Liam over a 50/50 ball. There followed a long break while the keeper was being treated, the Bees used this time to re-group.

The Bees tried to get the ball up to their excellent centre forward whose speed would trouble many defenders. This was not the case today with both Joey and Luke matching him for pace and containing the threat. The Bees though did get a break when their midfield player shot from some 30 yards. Jack looked to have it covered but it bounced in front of him hit the crossbar and went in, 3-1. Headstone had allowed the Bees back into the game. To the credit of the boys from the centre they went back to their passing game and scored immediately from kick off, 4-1 half time.

The second half saw Headstone playing with the wind and Junior Bees finding it increasingly hard to deal with Headstone and we were able to add a further six to the score. The Bees are a good side and were unfortunate to meet a Headstone team that is improving. Our forward line has now scored 80 plus goals between two players and the midfield dominates games with its skill and strength. The defence contains two of the fastest defenders that I have seen in Joey and Luke and behind them the outstanding Jack in goal. On reflection last year we may have won this match but the input of Shaun on the coaching front the season has seen the competitive and skill level of the boys increase.

The final word though goes to Junior Bees this side have only conceded 40 goals in 22 matches so the score line was a shock to these boys. How did they react? With credit to their club and parents. They offered three cheers to Headstone and clapped the boys off the pitch. It is good to see that sportsman ship still exists.