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In late August, 16 senior boys are heading Stateside for a fortnight's tour of Massachusetts & New York.
Whilst there, they will not only face the best high school & college soccer teams, but also live the "American Dream".
Join us on our adventure. . .

Saturday, 23 August 2014

Game 3 - Houghton College 20/08/14

After 2 games in the past 48 hours, the boys appreciated the rest time that was scheduled for Wednesday morning in preparation for their game against Houghton College.

Different plans were organised amongst the group. Some headed on in to town to check out the now busier surroundings (the students started to arrive for the school year yesterday), whilst Brazier & Price took the opportunity to carry on their table tennis championships. For those interested, despite Brazier pulling things back, Price still led 13-11.

The journey to the college was the shortest of the week so far & before anyone could contest Jake Hobbs' questionable playlist we were there.

Harvey travelled to Houghton College on Wednesday evening to become the first visiting team to use the brand new immaculate $22million facilities, funded by the Buffalo Sabres ice hockey team owner - something the team were extremely overwhelmed and grateful for. 




As expected, coaches Stevenson and Walton opted to use the ever effective 4-2-3-1 formation, which the team have pioneered since day one. The team lined up as follows:

Starting XI - Roche, Hobbs, Brazier, Davidson, Price, Donald, Nelhams, Maffia, Nunn, Taylor, Ansell.

It was clear from the outset that Houghton had prepared very well for this game, which along with having the home venue and appropriate physical conditioning (Harvey having two consecutive games Monday and Tuesday) Houghton were the favourites.

It was the home side who as expected, came out the blocks very fast - the games tempo being dictated by College's number four, arguably the best ball player on the field; picking the ball up from the defence and playing it forward the wide midfield players. However HGS defended from the front front, and with an aggressive pressing regime through the front four (Ansell, Taylor, Nunn & Maffia), begun to stop him getting on the ball as much.



















Harvey failed to trouble the home keeper, with no notable efforts apart from a speculative strike from long range from Taylor which was easily dealt with. At the other end, Roche protected his goal which a couple of fine reflex saves from Houghton's numerous close efforts from outside the box. One, too corner bound Roche flew trough the air to get a strong right glove on it to parry it over.

Following some changes, including a playing role for both coaches Stevenson and Walton, Harvey were fresh from the advantage of rotation for the second period - which showed immediate results when they entered their best spell of the match between 50-70 minutes. Walton (playing as a centre-forward) turned and shot just wide of the post following a clever ball from Maffia.





Harvey again came close through Donald, who looked to have planted his header beyond the opposition keeper, before a glove pushed  it around the post. Donald later looked to have opened the scoring when his crashing header found the net from Taylor's whipped corner - only for the referee to penalise him for a supposed push on his marker.

Neither side could find a goal, and in the dying embers a long clearance from Brazier found Walton who appeared to be in on goal, before the speeding defender applied pressure, unbalancing him before he fired just wide.




The result and great game of football was celebrated in the fitting spirit with both teams getting in the centre circle to thank God for the game. Overall HGS can take this unbeaten momentum into next weeks fixtures when they move two hours South to Bilmimgton, after departing Alfred on Saturday morning. 


FT - Houghton College 0-0 Harvey Grammar
Man of the Match - Rob Price

Match Report by Ryan Taylor.
Photo Credit - Coach Chamberlain. 
Follow us on Twitter for more updates @HGSSport.


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