Hightown 1 Square FC
1
Saturday 28th April
This was the final league game this season, and provided a fitting,
entertaining display of football between league champions Hightown,
and runners up Square FC, as a fore-runner to their cup final on
19th May.
Hightown had played, and won, their cup semi final in the morning,
meaning this fixture was being played on a hot Saturday afternoon,
at Peoples Park, and with a good turnout of appreciative supporters.
Both sides displayed their strong passing skills, but Square’s
fresh legs game them a small advantage in the first half, as they
pressured the opposition.
Chris Matthews and Tom Firth worked hard up and down the length
of the pitch, defending, then building the attacks.
Alex demonstrated his improvement this season, as his continual
work rate allowed Square to keep possession in midfield.
Tom Foster was well marked, and with little time on the ball was
not able to find the target easily, but worked well to create chances
for the supporting players.
Joe and Jonny’s pace in defence allowed them to safely cover
the Hightown breaks, and support the Square front players.
However, Chris Jones bravery, and concentration in goal kept out
any efforts on goal.
With a half-time score of 0-0, it looked like one goal could decide
this game.
Squares hope were raised when, with a 2nd half clearance from their
keeper, Chris Jones, Tom Foster then turned his defender, and volleyed
a superb finish into the Hightown net.
A further few chances followed, but good goalkeeping and defending
prevented Square increasing the lead.
Hightown, faced with their first loss of the season, then raised
their game, and Square looked to have the tired legs, as the lack
of substitutes, and heat took its toll.
The final 10 minutes had Square on the back foot, and Hightown neatly
created a goal from an unmarked player on the back post.
Hightown were still not done at this point, and maintained the pressure
in the never
ending final few minutes.
The final whistle came as a relief to the players, with a fair result
on the day, and still all to play for in the cup final.
Players of the match:
Chris Jones – superb goalkeeping, ball distribution, and reward
for an excellent season, with consistently high performances week
in, week out.
Chris Matthews – increased belief and confidence on the day
allowed him to demonstrate his superb skills for the whole game.
|
