COMPETITION:
U18 YOUTH
DATE: SUN
13DEC09
HOOK YOUTH 1 –
LEATHERHEAD YOUTH 2
(Played at Leatherhead)
Sunday’s
postponed 2nd round County Cup tie was switched to River Lane as
Hook’s pitch remained unusable but Leatherhead did not look like the ‘home’
team during the early exchanges and Hook took the lead after just 3
minutes when Leatherhead’s midfield failed to close down their no. 8 Tim Jones
and he scored from 25 yards.
Leatherhead
having be caught napping slowly started to make their
passing count and a strong header from Fresh after 8 minutes was deflected wide
but they could not capitalise on the resulting corner or two more that
followed. Soon after Lunn made a strong run down the
right and pulled back for his strike partner Bajeux
to have Leatherhead’s 1st shot in anger.
However
it was Hook who were looking the more menacing pushing
forward from midfield albeit being restricted to speculative long range efforts
on goal.
Leatherhead’s
only other chance was a 40yd attempt by Lindfalk
until on 26 minutes a fierce shot from left back Higgins could only be parried
by the Hook keeper and Lunn pounced to fire in the
equaliser.
Although
Leatherhead were now more comfortable on the ball and showing glimpses of their
swift passing game it was Hook who nearly took a half time lead with a well
taken free kick that just went just inches wide after 35 minutes.
Leatherhead
started the 2nd half much brighter with Bajeux
coming close to putting them in front within 5 minutes of the restart. They
continued to push forward and Hook’s keeper had to pull off a good save on 67
minutes following a long range free kick. Home keeper Shipp then pulled off an
equally good save following a solo run from Hook’s lively no. 9 who for once
managed to escape the attentions of Leatherhead’s centre backs.
The game
was now very keenly contested and certainly in the balance, none more so than
after 77 minutes when a dangerous Hook free kick from the edge of the
Leatherhead area was cleared and within seconds substitute Afflick
had an effort tipped over the bar the other end.
The
‘home’ side were finally starting to dominate the midfield and hit the bar
albeit from an offside position with 10 minutes to go, then with just 2 minutes
remaining and extra time a distinct possibility, Moran broke free in centre
midfield to score the winner with a majestic 30 yard effort that left the Hook
keeper no chance as it dipped just under the bar.
With
added time Leatherhead had to hold on for 6 minutes whilst Hook pressed for an
equaliser but their defence looked comfortable and never looked like
relinquishing the lead.
This was
a hard fought game against determined opposition and it was credit to the whole
team that they managed to grind out a win without ever really getting into top
gear. It was very much a team effort with some good if
not outstanding individual performances but MOM award could only go to Paul
Moran after his sublime winning strike.
Leatherhead
can look forward to a HOME 3rd round tie against Epsom Eagles in the
new year...
Team:
Lee Shipp, Kyle Miranda, Andy Higgins,
Josh Earl, Jeremy Osei-Bonsu, Paul
Moran, Tom Lindfalk (rep 75), Ross
Salisbury (rep 62), Max Bajeux, Kieran Lunn, Jeff Osei-Bonsu
Subs:
Josh Smith (62), Lewis Afflick
(75),
Report: David Hedges