Match Report - 2nd December 2007

Headstone arrived at Hayes home pitch on wind swept damp day with its 100% record still intact. Headstone played Hayes twice last year winning both games. Hayes have had a mixed start to this season although they have not scored many they have not let in many either. Hayes are a physically big side and this was not going to be an easy game. Before the game started it was made clear to the boys that if they wanted to win the league games like today had to be won. It was disappointing to see that the appointed referee did not show up. One of the Hayes parents refereed the game and was a credit to the Club.

The wind and rain by the start of the game was severe and it was good to see so many parents at the game. Headstone played with the wind in the first half and once Headstone had weathered the initial pressure from Hayes, Headstone started to take control. Ryan and Luke in defence were too strong for Hayes forwards. Headstone started to put more and more pressure on the Hayes defence. Hayes found it difficult to cope with the strength of Tyrell and Babak in the midfield and this gave Headstone a great platform to build there attacks from. Michael and Liam have scored freely all season and poor finishing in the first half robbed Headstone of five clear chances. Headstone kept pressing hard and when Carl started the attack from the back moving the ball swiftly to Altin who moved the ball to Tyrell who placed the ball down the line where Liam beat two players to deliver a cross to the six yard box, Michael closed in at pace, hitting the ball first time, but Hayes keeper pulled off a great save. The ball would just not go in. Hayes started to grow in confidence and although they moved the ball well, Hayes forwards never really got pass the strength of Headstones defence.

Headstone started the second half with only 10 men on the pitch while they awaited the entry of their sub. Hayes took advantage of this and exposed the weakened midfield and snatched a goal. Headstone now were a goal down against the wind. Headstone although not playing well did not give up and pressed hard. Headstone finally beat the Hayes offside trap with Tyrell's powerful run from midfield being rewarded with a goal. 1-1 with fifteen to go. Headstone pushed on again but that break would not come. With 4 minutes left Headstone got a corner, it was played short to Carl who drove a powerful shot at goal. Hayes managed to block the ball but it fell to Liam who took it past their defender and drove a shot at the goal. The ball went under the goal keeper, the Hayes defender tried to stop it going over the line but knocked it into his own goal. A cruel blow so late in the game for Hayes, but the winning goal for Headstone. Headstone pushed on again and Tyrell's fine shot was stopped by Hayes' excellent keeper.

Although the winner was scored so late, Headstone should have put this game out of reach before the second half. A good game played fairly by both teams and refereed well.