Match Report - 17th February 2008

This was a fixture that we needed our full strength team for since Hayes are a big strong team that have given every team a hard game this season. Headstone though were without two regular players and the bench included Sam who had just returned from holiday and Francisco who had just returned from a long term injury. Hayes, as one of the parents pointed out, have yet to beat us in two seasons and the side that faced us was different again from the one that played against us in the early part of the season.

The game started at a furious pace and Hayes were determined to reverse the result from earlier in the season. Headstone this season have shown a much more focused approached and in previous years could have been bullied out of a game like this. Joey and Luke in the middle of the defence have become a formidable combination and the strength and power they have given Headstone have made them amongst the tightest defences in the League. Hayes game plan was clear from the start, route one down the middle to the huge centre forward to win the ball and use his power and strength to break through. Initially this caused a number of problems although never a clear cut chance, but once Luke went man to man on him this threat was reduced. Headstone’s midfield of Ryan and George in the middle started to dominate the middle of the pitch. Ryan was able to win the battle of the captains in the middle of the pitch and Headstone started to play their football. Before the game we had made it clear that the finishing had to be first rate since if you allow Hayes to go ahead they are very hard to break down. We are lucky to have two completely different forwards and that allows the team to vary its attacking options Liam was causing problems and on another day would have had three within the first 30 minutes. Michael’s movement off the ball was causing issues and like Liam on another day could have had two. Headstone were keeping Hayes in their own half and were reliant on the long ball to the big centre forward. Ironically this lad is much better with the ball in at his feet and will cause problems to a number of teams this season.

Babak and Josh on the right hand side were causing numerous problems. It is good to see Josh ghosting past players again and this partnership was causing problems for Hayes. Shomari was having an excellent game and was proving two powerful and strong for his opposite number. On another day he could have had two goals but it was just not going to happen.

Hayes were growing in confidence since we were still unable to break them down. Hayes are too good a team to allow back into a game. The Hayes captain an excellent player sensed this could be their day and was leading from the front. It looked like it was going to be one of those days until Headstone captain Ryan arrived on the edge of the area, after the ball had been semi cleared, to drive the ball into the net. Headstone were ahead after 25 minutes but could not beat the excellent Hayes keeper to increase the lead before half time.

The second half started with Hayes changing their midfield and bringing on another huge boy to stop the threat of Josh. Francisco had replaced Shomari at half time and settled into the midfield. Hayes set about Headstone at pace trying to get that equaliser. Headstone’s defence stood strong although this was Hayes best period of the game. Hayes though never really made the most of this period except some long range shots that never really troubled Jack. Josh who had an excellent first half started to struggle in the second half against the huge midfielder and considering he has been out for so long lasted well. Sam came on to strengthen this side of the pitch and once he got up to the pace of the game was able to reduce the threat that this boy offered. Headstone started to dominate again and Francisco’s pace was causing problems on the right. Babak at right back was constantly collecting the ball and making space for Francisco. After an excellent ball from George, Liam took the ball past two of the Hayes defenders and drove the ball past the keeper who was closing him down. The ball struck the crossbar, it was not going to be Liam's day. Babak was able to run the ball out of the yard and put an excellent ball through to Liam. He threaded the ball through to Michael who was able to hold off the challenge of two defenders to drive the ball into the net from an acute angle to score an excellent and timely goal.

At that point I thought the game was over since Hayes are not the most free scoring team. Hayes though did not give up and continued to push hard keeping to the long ball game. Hayes’ keeper drove the ball down the middle and it looked to be covered by George who had been clearing this type of ball all day but a mix up in communication meant two boys went for the same ball and neither connected. The ball went straight to Hayes centre forward to the surprise of our centre halves who had already started to push up. The centre forward took his opportunity excellently and drove the ball past Jack.

Headstone kept their shape and Liam was able to thread the ball through to Michael who drove the ball towards the goal only for the ball to strike the hands of the defender. The ref decided to see if Headstone could score from the loose ball but when this did not happen he awarded the penalty. This decision caused an issue amongst the Hayes supporters and players. Ryan did not let this bother him and calmly slotted in the penalty to make it 3-1. The referee blew for full time just after the kick off.

This was always going to be a tough game as I feel that Hayes are one or two players short of an excellent team and to do the double over this excellent side will be hard for any team in the league.