Upon getting to the Main Field for our second game within a week against Lyminge, we were met with the sight of a (very poor standard) cricket game going on across a large portion of our pitch. A slight booking confusion had seen both us & the local cricket team that use our fields during the Summer being told that they were free for their respective fixtures. Nothing something Coach Stevenson couldn't sort out with a polite conversation with the captains of the 2 cricket teams. With an agreed 7.15ko organised, the cricketers carried on throwing & hitting whilst our boys & Lyminge used the remaining space to go through their pre match preparations.
The later than scheduled start seemed to throw both teams off their stride, as a slow rather dis-jointed performance was on offer from both sides. Tonight saw Harry Nunn make his pre tour debut having been nursing a groin strain since the end of school. He slotted neatly in to the system that we have worked on during the previous couple of months in training as well as with the couple of games that have past. Proving that his presence at these despite his non-playing was important.
As the first period progressed, our boys grew in to the game much more, appreciating the more mowed surface that they had to play their opposition on as opposed to the farming field from the week before. Possession was well maintained across the back 4 & within midfield with some clever movement & intelligent play. A couple of quick incisive passes saw Hearmon gain possession just outside the box. He then drove at their defence before slotting the ball home.
With 2 keepers on tour, giving both enough game time is difficult. With our tight schedule whilst out, the non-playing keeper for each game will be used on field. Today's starting keeper Charlie Hancock was tested a few times early after we broke the deadline, whilst James Roche started on the bench. Within 20 minutes he was utilised in an attacking form though, coming on as a second striker to play up against the 3 big, strong defenders alongside Ansell. This substitution proved successful when he was on the end of a cut back from Maffia to volley the ball past his goalkeeping counterpart with the poise & finesse that any striker would be proud off.
The 2-0 lead took us in to the first break, but with the usual slight alterations made by Coaches Walton & Stevenson, the boys seemed to come out for the 2nd period in a different mood. This was picked up quickly by Lyminge, themselves fielding a different squad to that the previous week, with more concerted pressure going forward. After a few efforts at goal, they finally broke their duck against us with a good finish.
Despite the obvious disappointment, our boys simply rolled their sleeves up & went forward again. More good play by the holding players combined with some intelligent driving forward with the ball saw the possession stay mostly in the Lyminge half for the rest of the period.
The break saw the usual rotation of positions & players from the coaches, with Roche & Hancock switching responsibilities as well as a few others. The goal was simply to not concede anymore goals through keeping the ball. With many switches of play across the back 4, the Lyminge front players were running & chasing. This did the job we had hoped, committing others forward & leaving gaps elsewhere on the field.
With further intelligent & well timed runs & passes, we were able to get in behind the Lyminge defence on numerous occasions. With the fourth or fifth attack at their full backs, our boys were able to extend the lead again, this time when Sam Ansell turned in a great cross by Maffia. By this time the Lyminge team were flagging & again the extensive fitness work that Coach Stevenson had put the boys through since January was evident.
With the light fading due to the late start, it was decided to play a shortened 3rd period of only 15 minutes. This limited time didn't stop our boys though, as straight from the restart a corner was won. Good delivery was met by Josh Donald to head home a 4th. Again from the kick off, HGS won possession through James, who then went on another characteristic headless storm forward. Like Sunday, he somehow managed to find himself in the box & with another calm lobbed finish completed the scoring.
Another great performance from Team HGS, with efforts & endeavours of the highest order all across the pitch. This will be severely tested on Sunday when we face Hawkinge Town, a very successful semi-pro side from the area who went unbeaten in their league last season.
SQUAD - Hancock, Roche, Hobbs, Brazier, James, Price, Donald, Maffia, Smith, Ansell, Nelhams, Nunn
Man of the Match - Aaron James
Scorers - Hearmon, Roche , Ansell, Donald, James
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