Match Report - 4th May 2008

Although this was Mill Hill’s home game it was played at Broadfields since Mill Hill were unable to get a pitch. Earlier in the season when the teams met Headstone won 3-0. Mill Hill have always been a good footballing side and have the third best defensive record in the Div, although goal scoring seems to be more of an issue than defending. The game was due to start at 1pm but to the disappointment of all the referee did not show and after some hunting around we were able to secure another referee but did not kick off till 1.45.

The delay in the kick off seemed to affect both sets of boys and Headstone got off to a very slow start. The balance of the team seemed to be causing us more problems than Mill Hill. Since we lost Michael and Ryan to injury our flowing football has been affected, which can only be expected since we have been forced to change the shape of the team. To the credit of the boys they have maintained their 100% record which is not easy in a week which saw Brunswick suffer their first defeat.

Whilst Mill Hill started strongly it became apparent that the strike force were not going to be able to break down our defence. The back four of Joey Luke, Josh and Babak have been so impressive over the last few matches that at no point did I think they would be breached. Headstone spent long periods camped in the Mill Hill half. Credit to the Mill Hill linesman who resisted the temptation to flag for non existent offsides. In the first 15 min we had at least 7 corners delivered excellently but could we put it in the back of the net? No. We were forced to wait for a stunning individual effort from Liam from the edge of the box, 1-0. Mill Hill tried to respond but Headstone were too strong all over the pitch and the second goal soon followed courtesy of Tyrell.

Headstone went on to score another 2 to make the full time score 4-0 but this was not a great performance since we must have missed at least 8 clear chances. Mill Hill are not a bad side and I would have to say carried on trying to play football even when everything was stacked against them. It is a reflection on how far the boys have developed. Last year we lost 2-1 to Mill Hill and beat them 2-1 at the end of the season. I left the game feeling that we had been far from our best and disappointed that the boys had not played to their potential. Yet looking back now, we are still top, have played 15 securing 41 points our nearest rivals who have played 15 and have 36. We need 2 wins out of the last 3 games to secure the League title, although I am sure the boys will want to go the entire season without losing.