Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)

retired_destiny1124 · 12-05-2006, 04:10 AM

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7.2.09
Hill Falters at Farnborough
Harrow Hill held a 1-0 halftime lead and looked like they might be in control of the match, but gave away a penalty and had to salvage a 1-1 draw against the 19th rated side. Martin Wharton scored an excellent goal early in the first half as he took the ball at midfield and attacked down the left side before drilling a shot past Kevin Scriven. Martin Clark missed two sitters in the first half and was clearly frustrated at his efforts as Hill failed to add to the lead. After John McCombe was sent off for a redcard for taking Clark down just beyond their area as last man Hill seemed set for the half. The failure to add another goal came back to haunt Hill as Scott Robertson earned a redcard for holding Garreth O'Conner in the Hill area and Jermaine Wright converted the penalty kick past Martin Pearson. Both sides had chances to win the match and Pearson stood tall with a trio of saves to at least preserve a split of the points for Hill, while Clark missed another sitter that had the Hill bench clearly shaking their heads.

"Things went so well...until Scott Robertson held O'Conner," sighed Heartwood.

"We certainly looked on track for the win," agreed Pearson.

retired_destiny1124 · 12-06-2006, 05:18 AM

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14.2.09
Hill and York Play to Draw
Harrow Hill had to overcome a goal they gave away, but managed to fight back for a 1-1 draw against surging York at Larksfield Road. Hill came out and played a good first half, but found themselves trailing when Gary Bailey passed it directly to Andy Bishop in front of the Hill goal and Bishop rocketed a shot past Andrew Evans to give the visitors an unearned 1-0 halftime lead. York was content to play defensively with the lead and Hill wasn't having much luck in the match as Andy Hurst hit the crossbar and Paul Wilcox headed off the right upright. The equalizer was definitely dramatic as Alex Coulson was trying to send a long cross on for Hurst, only to wind up on his knees with joy as it sailed past David Stockdale to help earn Coulson MOM honours. Chris Casement was redcarded for taking down Wilcox as the last man moments later, but Hill could not find a way to score the goal they needed to win.

"Better than a loss, but another match we should have won," murmured Heartwood.

"We did a lot of things right in the match, but it was another match where better finishing and avoiding defensive mistakes would have given us a win instead," replied Pearson.

***

14.2.09
Conference National Set for Tightest Finish Ever?
The Conference National has become one of the most closely watched tables in English Football as no less than 7 clubs remain not only in the running for Playoff spots- but for the title itself. With 12 matches remaining, Torquay continues to cling to the top spot, but there are 4 other clubs within 4 points of them.
Conference National- 34 matches played
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1- Torquay 65 pts (+20) 2- Harrow Hill 63 pts (+24)3- York 61 pts (+19)4- Southend 61 pts (+18) 5- Grays 61 pts (+14)6- Stockport 59 pts (+19)7- Woking 58 pts (+18)</pre>

retired_destiny1124 · 12-07-2006, 01:09 AM

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17.2.09
Hill Wins Thriller at Woking
Harrow Hill managed to win a closely contested 2-0 match over Woking at Kingsfield Sports Ground with a pair of goals late in the second half. The first half, as was the case much of the match, found Hill muttering about a lack of luck. With Martin Clark out with the flu, highly touted Lee Williams made his debut for Hill. Williams showed some of the deft footwork that has some comparing him to Michael Owen, but he found the crossbar unfriendly as he blasted a shot off it in the first half. Williams also found Keeper Roberto Pampin unkind as Pampin made a diving parry to deny another good chance in the first half. Martin Pearson had a considerably easier time in the Hill goal, but had to push a Joseph Arnold header over the bar. The second half found Hill in firmer control of the midfield, but seemingly unable to take advantage to get scoring chances. It was clear that Williams was hurting after a rough tackle by Ezekial Tomlinson, but he remained in the match and had a big hand in finally gaining Hill the lead. Williams took the ball on the sideline and drew two defenders to him, before taking the ball and slipping a pass up to unmarked Scott Price. Price broke into the area and then laid the ball off and Jami Puustinen blasted a shot inside the right post past Pampin. Hill backed off and played to protect the lead, but was able to put a capper on the match as Puustinen found John O'Keefe breaking up the middle unmarked. Pampin made the parry on O'Keefe, but Price hammered home the rebound into the open goal to clinch the win for Hill. Peter Wilkinson earned MOM honours for his play on leftwing, while Pearson finished another clean sheet.

"That was a hard-fought win," said a tired Pearson.

"The boys worked and worked. I am proud of Lee Williams. He was hurting and I wanted to get him out, but with Wharton also injured- he wanted to stay in. That play of his made the difference- as he drew the defenders and then sprung Price," stated Heartwood.

"That is the same kind of effort he always gave me on the Under-18s. He is going to be a good one."

"I think so too. You did a good job developing him Bob."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-08-2006, 11:33 AM

28.2.09

"It is hard to believe you already clinched it, great job Bob!"

"Good players Jim- you just keep them coming and we will keep on trying to win with them," grinned Pearson.

Hill U-18s Capture 3rd Consecutive Title
Harrow Hill Under-18s clinched their 3rd consecutive Group 9 Under 18 Title as they crushed Exeter Under-18s 5-0 at Larksfield Road. The amazing Hill Under-18s have won 18 of their 19 matches played and their only blemish is a draw against Portsmouth Under-18s.

***

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28.2.09
Hill Fends off Fleet
Harrow Hill showed determination as they outlasted stubborn Gravesend to defeat them 2-0 at Stonebridge Road. Both goals from Hill were by Alex Coulson as the winger earned MOM honours in the match. Coulson gave Hill the lead in the first half with beautifully timed header on a cross from Andrew Hodgson. His second half goal came late and clinched the win as he deflected a long cross from Nathan Edwards. Andrew Evans surely earned his clean sheet with a pair of brilliant first half saves to keep Hill's early lead intact. Coulson earned MOM honours, but several press thought that defender Anthony McMahon would also have been a good selection.

"Another battling win," smiled Pearson.

"The boys are playing well. Their effort and work ethic have really shown through- and this match was a perfect example," agreed Heartwood.

"It's also encouraging to see their development. Andrew Evans is gaining more confidence every time out."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-09-2006, 03:22 AM

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4.3.09
Hill Bobbles Against Halifax, Settles for Draw
Harrow Hill looked the much the better club as they hosted Halifax at Larksfield Road, but they allowed the visiting side to escape with an unearned 2-2 draw. The early going looked very good for Hill as Martin Clark fired home a rebound after Keeper Stephen Henderson stopped a wicked shot from Lee Williams. Despite having dominated the first half of play, Hill found themselves trailing 2-1 thanks to two key defensive errors. David Mills evened the match for the visitors with an ill-advised and panicky clearing attempt that saw him put the ball past Martin Pearson into his own-goal. Minutes later they fell behind when David Potter left James Smith completely unmarked on a free kick and he deflected the ball past a diving Pearson. Hill pressured the visitors in the second half, but it took until the late stages before they were able to come up with the equalizer as Martin Wharton, on for slightly injured Clark, took a pass from Michael Owen and slipped his shot past Henderson inside the near right post. Hill missed a chance to win the match as Henderson made a brilliant diving parry of Williams' free kick in second half injury time. Injuries played a big part in the match for Hill as both Scott Price and Clark hobbled off and Tim Spencer also appeared very tentative due to a leg ailment- but stayed in the match as Hill had no chance of subbing for him.

"I would call that a disappointing effort," sighed Heartwood.

"We didn't show much composure," replied Pearson.

"We didn't show much of the same kind of defense that has served us so well. Potter and Mills didn't play particularly well, they wandered all over the place and made key mistakes."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-11-2006, 04:27 AM

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7.3.09
Wild Ride for Hill in Win at Cambridge
Harrow Hill staked out an early 2-0 lead at The Abbey, gave it back as Cambridge evened things, retook the lead in the second half and then had to survive a couple heart-stopping moments in the late stages to hold on for the 3-2 win. Paul Wilcox showed the ability that has Hill fans naming him their favorite player in a recent poll. Wilcox skinned Andy Duncan and then made a terrific dribble around a diving Anthony Betterton for a fantastic goal that gave Hill the lead in the opening moments of the match. Wilcox made it a brace when he alertly hammered home a rebound after Betterton stopped a hard shot from Martin Wharton. Cambridge rallied and drew a goal back with a thunderous 30 yard blast from MOM Stephen Smith past Andrew Evans. Conal Platt then shed his marking to whip a shot past Evans on a nice pass from Smith to even the match at 2-2 going to the dressing room. Hill seemed fully composed to begin the second half and went back to attacking the yellow card riddled backline of Cambridge. Gary Howard keyed the match winning goal as he launched a beautifully curled pass to Wharton in full stride down the left. Wharton fired a well placed shot inside the far right post past Betterton and Hill had reclaimed the lead. Hill threatened to add to the margin, but Betterton came up with a brilliant save on Andrew Hodgson. Evans then provided the final heroics for Hill with two late saves to preserve the win.

"I was really happy when the final whistle sounded," admitted Heartwood.

"It was a close one. It could have been a lot easier if we had played better in the first half."

"Smith's goal was just a good strike, Andrew Evans couldn't be faulted on that one. Still, we should have marked out Platt on his goal."

"At least we got the goal in the second half and hung on for the win."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-13-2006, 04:33 AM

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14.3.09
Hill Tops Weymouth in Close Tussle
It was another difficult match against Weymouth, but Harrow Hill managed to survive a late rally by the visitors to win a closely contested 2-1 match at Larksfield Road. Hill played extremely well in the first half and took the lead when Ian Bennett came out to try and cut-off a long centering pass, but the ball took a strange bounce and Bennett couldn't stop it. Martin Wharton was quickest to the ball and smoothly lofted a 30 yard shot into the open goal. Bennett made up for his mistake by making key saves on Paul Wilcox and Lee Sawyer to keep Weymouth only a goal down at halftime. With Wharton clearly struggling due to a hard tackle to open the second half, the Larksfield Road crowd's excitement when Lee Williams entered to replace Wharton was clearly evident. Williams had impressed with his first two Senior matches, but he was finally able to score his 1st Senior goal in this match and a tremendous goal it was. Wilcox flicked on a long goal kick from Martin Pearson and the ball went into empty space in the right side of the area. Greg Strong and Ian Pearce failed to react to the ball- both apparently thinking it had been headed elsewhere- and Williams turned on the jets to race all the way across the pitch. Williams collected the loose ball while Strong and Pearce were just reacting and then made a sensational impossible angle shot past a stunned Bennett to move Hill ahead 2-0. Pearson was trying desperately to keep a clean sheet and had narrowly escaped Chukki Eribenne heading closely over the goal twice, but the 3rd time was the charm for the determined Eribenne as he deflected a cross from Wayne Purser past Pearson in second half injury time. Pearson then had to tip a last second header from Tim Sparv over the bar to preserve the close win.

"That was a pretty close win," sighed a relieved Heartwood. "I thought they had us early in the second half."

"If they had made any of their headers count then- it would have been a lot different match."

"Lee Williams is really showing me he may claim a starting role sooner than I anticipated- he was sensational on his goal."

"That is pretty much what he had been doing for the Under-18s since you signed him. He really is class," agreed Pearson.

retired_destiny1124 · 12-14-2006, 12:10 AM

18.3.09

"I better watch out Bob, someone will be recruiting you for a head position shortly," laughed Heartwood.

Pearson smiled, but his voice was serious, "Would you have a problem with that Jim?"

Heartwood smiled back and shook his head negatively, "No Bob, if someone offers you a chance- I want you to take it. You deserve it for the job you have done these past three seasons with Under-18s and Reserves."

"I keep telling you Jim, you keep getting me bunches of very good players. We are working in concert to develop them and it seems to be working great."

"Don't forget the job that Rob and Spencer have been doing scouting. Without the influx of good players, neither of us would have much success."

"That's true, but look at Jimmy Sullivan and Terry Reed- our own youth program is starting to give us some good players as well."

"All of which hopefully leads to continued success on all levels."

Hill's Amazing Run
Harrow Hill Reserves have clinched their 3rd Consecutive Group 6 Reserve Title with 8 matches remaining, joining the Hill Under-18s who had already clinched their 3rd consecutive title. Hill Manager James Heartwood was quick to credit Assistant Manager Bob Pearson for the success of the two sides, "Bob is doing a tremendous job of developing all the young players we have under contract and in our youth program. I can't say enough about how well he has the players working to improve and performing on the pitch. We hope that this continued success continues to funnel the Senior side the players to keep improving." For his part Pearson modestly commented, "Look, this is all working according to the blueprint and master plans laid down by Jim Heartwood. He was scoffed at for his innovative ideas, but the entire Harrow Hill organization is taking those and turning them into reality."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-15-2006, 05:03 AM

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21.3.09
Hill Avalanche Crushes Accrington
Though Harrow Hill had taken an early 1-0 lead on Accrington Stanley, it appeared they might be in a bit of trouble as skipper Paul Wilcox left with an injury. Hill struggled to contain Accrington the remainder of the first half and could count itself lucky that Andrew Evans had made several timely saves to preserve the slim lead. When Accrington scored the equalizer early in the second half all the momentum seemed to be for the struggling home side. Up stepped Martin Wharton for Hill as he and Lee Williams ruined the Crown Ground's fans expectations in a 4-1 Hill win. Wharton scored a second half hat-trick to send Hill to an important 4-1 road win and earn himself MOM honours. Williams had setup Wilcox for the first goal as his burst of speed allowed him to push the ball past defender Andy Tretton and Wilcox fired the shot past Keeper Les Pogliacomi. Ian Craney scored the equalizer for Accrington past Evans after a nice layoff pass from Nick Travis. Wharton took over as Hill answered the equalizer by quickly regaining the lead as he rapped home his own rebound. Wharton's 2nd goal came when Andrew Hodgson skinned Gary Roberts and slipped a pass across that Wharton whisked into the goal. Wharton finished his hattrick with his 15th goal of the season thanks to a nice pass from John O'Keefe.

"An impressive effort by Martin Wharton off the bench," observed Pearson.

"Too right you are. Did you notice though that their backline was a bit preoccupied trying to keep Williams in check?" asked Heartwood.

"Yes, I saw that too. He helps everyone else get more space out there because they can't afford to ignore him for a moment. How is Paul?"

"He broke his wrist and will likely miss at least a month of play."

"Ouch, we could really use his leadership on the pitch."

retired_destiny1124 · 12-16-2006, 04:50 AM

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28.3.09
Hill's Late Charge Carries Past Kettering
The Larksfield Road faithful were clearly on the edge of their seats as Harrow Hill and Kettering moved past the midway portion of the second half still locked in a scoreless duel. Hill was clearly the better club in the first half, but good work by the Kettering backline kept them from taking full advantage of their edge in possession. Scott Peat had come up with every save the visitors had needed as they were pleased to still be scoreless going to the dressing room. Craig Farr celebrated an emotional return from injuries that have kept him out for two months by making excellent saves against Joel Grant and Liam Trotter in the opening moments of the second half as Hill came out on their backheels. Hill quickly righted themselves and when Kettering skipper Liam Nicell pushed Peter Wilkinson in the area on a throw in, it was Alex Coulson who stepped up and calmly converted the penalty kick to finally earn Hill the lead. Hill then finally put the visitors on ice as Wilkinson held the ball until he saw MOM Lee Sawyer coming free and crossed to him. Sawyer easily flicked it past Peat to put the final stamp on the 2-0 win.

"It was great to have Craig Farr's leadership back in the lineup- I think it made the difference in this match," stated Heartwood.

"Craig did do a good job at halftime- telling them to be patient and that the chances would be there."

"I was nervous before Alex's penalty kick."

"Who wasn't? he was overjoyed to score that one."

Conference National- 5 matches remaining
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1- Harrow Hill 82 pts (+35)2- Torquay 78 pts (+24)3- Grays 75 pts (+17)4- Scarborough 73 pts (+16)5- Stockport 71 pts (+24)6- Woking 70 pts (+21)7- York 70 pts (+19)8- Southend 69 pts (+20)9- Weymouth 69 pts (+13)</pre>

Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)

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Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)