Sunday 2^nd December home V Bellfield Royals

SYFA Challenge Cup

Line up – Jordan, Connor, Chris G ,Kevin, Jamie T ,Harry, Lewis S, Chris H, Jamie C, Lewis R, Jason

Subs-Mark, Jaxon, Ben

After last week’s postponement , at last the match was on with everyone looking forward to the challenge from our visitors from Ayrshire.

Our visitors lined up and it was obvious from the size of some of their team this was going to be a very hard physical encounter and straight from the kick off the Royals were on the attack and forced an early corner .Their obvious height advantage was causing our defenders problems but the Hutchie boys stuck to their task well and cleared their lines.

Hutchie were now pressing and a scramble in the box left Harry with a close range shot to make it 1-0 .Before you could draw breath the Royals had a shot from outside the box which seemed harmless but somehow dribbled into the net 1-1 . The game was now flashing from end to end with both teams looking to take the lead..

The ref is worth a mention here as he very early on set the pattern by not allowing the game to get out of control and clamped down on any wild challenges and dissent immediately, which helped the game keep its fast hard pace.

Another scramble in the box and Lewis R,  fired home for us 2-1. But amazingly a minute later a deep cross into our box was only half cleared and the ball fell to the Royals forward who finished it well 2-2.

Hutchie were stunned and Royals broke through again but Jordan stayed on his feet well and showed great strength in racing back to block the shot, Hutchie now pressed forward and another scramble in the box left Harry to tap home at the far post 3-2. More chances fell to Hutchie but their keeper pulled off a couple of great saves and a couple of blocks kept Hutchie out.

Half time 3-2

The match resumed with the Royals having a lot of possession and pinning Hutchie in their own half, our defense was holding out well and when the ball was played long Jordan was quick off his line to clear the danger on numerous occasions.

Hutchie had a couple of great chances to finish the game with Harry Jamie C Lewis R and Jason all coming close .The Royals kept the pressure on and seemed to be controlling the midfield and keeping the ball in our half for far too long for our liking.

Credit to Hutchie that despite the constant attacks there was actually not a single shot on our goal that troubled Jordan but the Ariel barrage was always likely to trouble us but somehow they never managed to use it to their advantage from their numerous corners and crosses.

With the game nearing its end the match seemed to be extended well beyond any reasonable extra time but thank fully the whistle went for a great victory which had to be fought for from start to finish.

Well done lads