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RESULT Woodley Hammers Hawks 1-0 Woodley Town Kestrels Stars
SCORERS Sam Maguire (Pen)
MAN OF MATCH Andy Peat, Jake Harrison (everyone)
MATCH REPORT
Out of the frying pan and into the fire springs to mind. A well earned draw last week against league leaders Reeves and this week the new leaders Stars. Two games and two wins, so we knew they were good, apparently not losing a game in the last two years even! Tactics were worked out at training earlier in the week and the boys today carried out their instructions to the letter. Everyone gets a mention in this report.
First half, and Hammers were under the cosh from the off, we probably entered their half three times. Jack Waller and easy peasy Sam Pease were never given the service up front to make an impact, but they also acted as our first line of defence shutting down Stars at every opportunity. I don’t think I’ve seen Jack work so hard for a long time. During the first half it became obvious it was not going to be a pretty game. Our midfield was forced to work too hard for that. The right hand side was working superb today, Edward Hobbs trying at every opportunity to provide flair and release pressure and also defending when required. Andy Peat put in the performance today that I should take for granted every week. Using his power and strength and being determined. Jake Harrison simply put in the performance I do take for granted. Centre of midfield was held strong by Matthew Panter and Ben Kelly. The left hand side was brilliantly commanded by Sam Maguire, Reece Ward and Daniel Maker. Reece especially causing Stars problems at every turn. Although the midfield were superb, our defence were called upon on numerous occasions to work hard. Phillip Brailey and Daniel Golder tackling anything that moved whilst Jake commanded the line. Joe Looby when called upon was solid as a rock today, Joe commanded his area, dealt with a few back passes and kicked superbly.
HALF TIME:
Despite the pressure, the talk at half time was very upbeat. We had held them for a half due to constant hard work. 30 mins to go and 30 mins more hard graft and we would get the draw.
The second half and a change of personnel up front. James Budgeon and Lewis Robinson now led our attack. James played fantastic and chased everything as we actually started to dominate the game at times. Lewis used his fantastic football brain to lay off some wonderful passes and tackled hard. Reece was causing the Stars so much trouble on the left, that he was the subject of harsh challenges and even abuse at times.
The breakthrough came at last in bizarre circumstances. An attack down the left, the ball crossed in and a Star, for no reason jumped up and tried to catch the ball! Denied an obvious penalty in the first half, the Ref could not ignore this one. Sam Maguire strolled up for the kick, as the Ref organised the other players.
Sam hit the ball so hard he injured himself, luckily the Stars keeper never got in the way, else he may also have been so. It was a shame, as Sam lay on the floor in agony, Stars players were badgering the Ref that Sam was wasting time. I believe Sam would rather have ran around the pitch celebrating! 1-0 and just desserts for the effort put in by the whole team. With a long time remaining Hammers had to work hard to defend the lead against a very dangerous Stars side. Daniel Golder eventually had to be taken off due to pure exhaustion. Daniel Maker admirably filling his boots. Matthew Panter was placed in defence to revert to a conventional 4-4-2. With time running down it was a shame to see kestrels lowering themselves to some not nice actions. Reece had a ball thrown at his face for no reason, and the Ref gave Reece a talking to!! Reece, again through on goal was hacked to the ground. On the final whistle Kestrels refusing to shake hands. I guess it’s easier to shake hands when you have won every game in the last two years.
What can I say about today? Just that I am very proud and so should the Hawks be. We practiced it, we discussed the tactics for the day and we did it, to the letter.
Man of the match went to Andy Peat and Jake Harrison, but could easily have gone to all. Some may feel they never had a lot of footie today, especially Lewis and Easy Peasy but unfortunately it was not a game for flair players today it was a dig in and grind it out. Well done one and all.
Daniel Golder: Phillip Brailey: Jake Harrison: Reece Ward: Andy Peat: Sam Maguire Edward Hobbs: Lewis Robinson: Matthew Panter: Ben Kelly: Joe Looby
Daniel Maker: Jack Waller: Sam Pease: James Budgeon.
AGE GROUP & TEAM NAME Woodley Hammers U 12 Hawks
LEAGUE PLAYED Woodley and Earley
DIVISION 1
DATE 17th September 2005
OPPONENT Reeves Rangers
RESULT Woodley Hammers Hawks 2-2 Reeves Rangers
SCORERS Jack Waller: Reece Ward
MAN OF MATCH None
MATCH REPORT
Following last week’s performance, the Hawks had a lot to prove. Before the game all the team stated they did not want to feel the way they did after last weeks surrender. A big ask, considering we were against the top side in the league. I know we’ve only played one game, but today’s opponents smashed in 10 goals last week for no reply.
From the start it was obvious a different Hawks side had turned up this week. We were sharp and seemed interested. Hawks dominated early into the game and then….. A soft goal and we were one down. We fell behind to what can only be described as a failure to be first to the ball and shut down any threat. Also dribbling in our own penalty area is not the best idea. A team that can score 10 goals in a previous game can not be allowed this freedom! Recompense came courtesy of a Jack Waller goal, created through a superb pass by Daniel Maker. With parity restored, I believe Hammers continued to be the stronger side, creating many openings. Reeves however remained dangerous and our back three were kept on their toes. Reeves made another breakthrough and left the field at half time leading 2-1.
HALF TIME
Talk at half time this week was actually positive. Despite being 2-1 down we were obviously as good as the league leaders if not better. Determined effort in the second half and we could achieve a result.
Hammers continued the second half as the first. We could obviously play better football than Reeves; at times but they still remained a threat. One of these threats resulted in Joe Looby making a brave save with his face! Hammers finally got their just rewards with a goal from Reece Ward. Despite the ball taking several deflections on it’s way to the onion bag, Reece definitely deserved the credit. Continued pressure from Hammers in the second half could not create the elusive winner, despite continued pressure and some excellent football at times. After the match? Smiles again. The Hawks were full of chat and quite rightly proud of their performance today. Hopefully the opening game can be forgotten.
Squad:
Daniel Golder: Philip Brailey: Jake Harrison: Reece Ward: Ben Ady: Andy Peat: Edward Hobbs: Lewis Robinson: Matthew Panter: Ben Kelly: Joe Looby
Daniel Maker: Jack Waller: Sam Pease: James Budgeon.
AGE GROUP & TEAM NAME Woodley Hammers under 12 Hawks
LEAGUE PLAYED Woodley and Earley
DIVISION 1
DATE 10th September 2005
OPPONENT Woodley Town Kestrels Blue
RESULT Woodley Town Kestrels 4-3 Woodley Hammers Hawks
SCORERS Jack Waller: Sam Maguire: Ben Ady
MAN OF MATCH None
MATCH REPORT
This is normally my favourite report of the year. A new season begun, new hopes, new aspirations. If I had written this report at half time it would have been flamboyant and flowing. Writing it the next day, I am at a loss as to what to pen.
Let me emphasise the good points.
First half:
First goal to Hammers came from a free kick on the edge of the area. Sam Maguire picked his spot in the top right hand corner of the Kestrel’s goal, the rest they say is history. Goal 2 for the Hammers was I think the best. Sam Pease, making his debut played an inch perfect ball, high and over the top of the Kestrel’s defence right in Jack Waller’s path. Jack had to be strong to win the ball, yet we all knew it was goalward bound. 2-0.
Half time:
Two goals to the good and a perfect start, but the boys were told kestrels were dangerous and playing some good football. Once again we were second to the ball in midfield, which allowed them to play. We had to be first.
Great start to the second half with Ben Kelly playing a great ball through to Ben Ady. Ben took the ball through and was one on one with the Kestrels keeper, Ben chipped the keeper giving him no chance. 3-0 and the game should be all over. Unfortunately I believe that is what the Hawks thought. As we diminished the Kestrels excelled. Chipping their way back into the game. 3-1, then 3-2. People were beginning to believe we could loose the game. And we did. Kestrels finally running out 4-3 winners and they deserved it. We simply seemed to give up. If it wasn’t for 2 great saves from Joe Looby it could even have been worse. My biggest disappointment of the day, was with 5 mins to go, seeing a Hawk’s player actually sat down on the half way line, seeming not to care. This is not what the Hawks are about and will not be accepted. Normally it is the Hawks with the spirit and fighting for a result.
At full time, for the first time ever the team were silent.
Squad:
Daniel Golder: Phillip Brailey: Jake Harrison: Sam Maguire: Reece Ward: Ben Ady: Andy Peat: Edward Hobbs: Lewis Robinson: Matthew Panter: Ben Kelly: Joe Looby
Daniel Maker: Jack Waller: Sam Pease.
