Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)

retired_destiny1124 · 03-02-2006, 04:47 AM

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8.11.05
Eastleigh Edge Hill
Eastleigh found a way to hand Harrow Hill their first loss in Conference South play as they edged the visitors 1-0 in a match where they were outplayed for much of the second half. An early free kick by Ryan Ashford turned costly for Hill as he drilled his 20 yard shot past Craig Farr inside the right post. Hill fought back and had excellent chances to even things in both the remainder of the first half and second half, but Mark Hampshire had their number in the Eastleigh net. Hampshire made brilliant saves against Robert Dickinson and Joe Foote in preserving the clean sheet, but the chance of the match saw Darren Gwyther miss an open net from 40 yards after he intercepted a backpass and caught Hampshire out of position. The choice of Nicky Hawkins for MOM honours over Hampshire drew a chorus of disgruntled chants from the crowd at Ten Acres.

"Darren Gwyther's miss was agonizing," said a disappointed Pearson.

"Aye. I thought we had them on that one. He did so well to step up and take the pass and then missed the net by a good 10 yards."

"Marcus Dydyna looked pretty well in his debut."

"I thought so too. He was very composed. It was just one of those matches where you run into a keeper that has your number. Today our number was up."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-06-2006, 03:37 AM

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12.11.05
Kiddie Corps Heads Harrow Win
The starting lineup for Harrow Hill featured no fewer than four 16 year olds making their professional debut as they hosted Heybridge in an FA Trophy Cup 2nd Qualifier at Larksfield Road. Making their debuts were Peter Sutton, Simon Varty, Scott Harber and Roger Charles. Also making his debut was Eddie Booth on the Hill backline. The early going featured frenetic pace from both sides, but little display of technical execution. Hill dodged a couple of early bullets as both Mark Rasmussen and Kevin Budge shot wide on good chances. Paul Catley made a dazzling save on Rasmussen as he cruised in alone after a botched corner on Hill's part. Hill's best chance in the first half saw Sutton drive a shot directly at Kingsley Banks. Hill seemed to gain momentum early in the second half as they increased pressure on the visiting side. Banks saved his side midway through with a terrific save on Mark Russell, on for an exhausted Sutton, after he beat the Heybridge backline down the pitch on a counterattack. The lone goal in the match came when Tom Byrne skinned defender Mark Pollard and drilled a shot past Banks. Hill had to survive a late redcard to Booth, but held on for a satisfying 1-0 win.

"A good effort by the youngsters," observed Heartwood.

"They really did step in the second half. I thought they played 'nervous' in the first half- especially Simon Varty as he wasted several short passes."

"Tom Byrne's goal was one of those that indicate a 'nose for the net'- he was in just the right spot to step up and skin Pollard."

"It was a very nice goal- one he can treasure as his 1st one professionally."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-07-2006, 03:25 AM

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19.11.05
Hill Calms Cambridge City
Harrow Hill returned to their winning ways in Conference South play with a strong 3-1 win over Cambridge City at Larksfield Road. Darren Gwyther missed his chance in Hill's lost to Eastleigh, but he picked up a poor throw-in by Richard Scott and drilled a shot inside the far right post to give Hill the early edge in the match. Gwyther then made it a brace after a scorching pass from Sean Coburn and a rocket shot past Ricky Millard. Hill moved ahead 3-0 in the second half when Lee Chaffey bobbled a loose ball and Robert Dickinson swooped past him and caught Millard slightly out of position as he launched a well placed shot inside the right post. Hill was forced to bring on Alex Hards for a slightly injured Craig Farr and Hards lost the clean sheet when Paul Booth outraced two defenders to run down a ball on the right and then slipped his shot into the goal. Hill closed out with a more determined defensive effort after Booth's goal to close out the 3-1 win.

"It was nice to see Darren Gwyther come right back with that 2nd goal," said Pearson.

"I was afraid that miss against Eastleigh was going to bother him awhile. Instead it only seemed to make him more determined," replied Heartwood.

"Good news that Craig Farr wasn't really hurt that bad. I would hate to lose him for an extended stretch."

"Just to be safe though, Alex Hards will start against Yate in our FA Trophy 3rd round match."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-08-2006, 04:23 AM

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26.11.05
Yate Brooms Hill
Yate used an early goal and a strong defensive effort to frustrate another fine effort from Hill's kiddie corps as they edged Hill 1-0 at Larksfield Road in their FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying match. Maurice Doyle outleapt Adam Hitchen to flick a long cross from Andy Thomas past Alex Hards early in the first half. After gaining the lead, Yate played defensively and scrapped with Hill for every pass, shot and loose ball as the supported keeper Paul Newton well in his clean sheet effort. The win will move Yate on in FA Trophy competition.

"Well, I guess the kiddie corps still has some learning to do," muttered Heartwood.

"They tried, but I think they actually tried too hard," lamented Pearson.

"It is something to build on. But I hope they have learned a lesson here- never take anyone lightly."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-09-2006, 12:16 AM

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29.11.05
Harrow Hill Battles to Draw with Weymouth
In an early showdown match between the top 2 clubs in Conference South, Weymouth looked much the better despite an redcard to Matt Bound in the first half. Neither side was able to capitalize on limited scoring chances as the two sides battled to closely played scoreless draw at Wessex Stadium. Weymouth was much the sharper club in the first half and only offsides calls seemed to be holding them back as Daniel Webb and Alex Varney both suffered several calls for moving away too early. Hill had only one shot in the first half, but when Bound was sent off for a tackle from behind on Robert Dickinson as the last man, it appeared they might be able to take advantage of the extra space. It seemed Weymouth was everywhere in the second half and they worked hard in support of their keeper- Arran Lee-Barrett. Hill had to survive many corners and throw-ins as they seemed unable to run the tireless home side down, despite the man advantage. Mark Russell, on for slightly injured Darren Gwyther, had a pair of excellent scoring chances late in the match, but one shot sailed just wide of the post and his flicked header skimmed the bar. The draw was a fair result to both clubs and Ash Carew earned MOM honours for his midfield exploits.

"I would have been happier if we could have won, but I will take this draw," said a pleased Heartwood.

"If we execute better in their area, we would have won."

"True, we just couldn't get our passes in the right place today."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-10-2006, 03:30 AM

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3.12.05
Hill Sinks Sutton
Harrow Hill came out with much improved effort and execution as they easily defeated Sutton United 3-0 at Larksfield Road. Misiu Mlynowski celebrated his debut by deflecting a cross from Aaron Samuel past Carl Emberson to give Hill the early lead in the match. Hill moved ahead 2-0 to halftime when Lewis Tozer sent a terrific through ball to Robert Dickinson. Dickinson danced past Lewis Gonsalves before slipping a shot past a diving Emberson. Dickinson had a golden opportunity to put the match away early in the second half, as Matt Gray had tripped Mlynowski in the area and earned a redcard and penalty kick for Hill, but Emberson easily saved Dickinson's shot to the middle. Dickinson capped off his MOM performance by finally making it a brace as he drilled a shot past Emberson after a deft pass from Sean Coburn, who had come on for a tiring Samuel, in the late moments of the second half. Craig Farr was able to maintain another clean sheet in the win.

"Nice execution from our forwards today," stated a please Heartwood.

"I was really happy with Misiu Mlynowski on his debut. He was superb today."

"When Dickinson is playing like he did today, you can almost see the opposing manager cringe every time he gets the ball."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-12-2006, 03:14 AM

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10.12.05
Thurrock Trumps Hill
It may have been Harrow Hill that dominated the match at Larksfield Road, but visiting Thurrock had the last laugh when they worked a superb play off a throw-in late in the second half to score and edged Hill 1-0. Hill had plenty of chances to gain the lead both in the first half and in the second half, but a mixture of excellent work from keeper Mark Skinner and timely tackling and clearing from their backline kept Hill off the scoreline. Robert Dickinson, Peter Sutton and Ash Carew all had great chances to score along the way, but Skinner was there each time to parry the shot away. The match winner came when Thurrock got a throw-in. Defender Lee Anderson took the long throw from the left sideline and then picked out Danny Davidson breaking in free on the right side of the net. Anderson's pass was picture perfect and Davidson deflected it past Paul Catley into the right side of the net for the match winner. Hill didn't appear to have any life left after the goal and went meekly in the closing moments of the match.

"We would have had the match, if we could have finished today," observed Pearson.

"It wasn't for the lack of trying. We got the good chances, took the good shots- but didn't get anything out of them today."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-13-2006, 03:56 AM

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21.12.05
Hill Ambushes St.Albans
Smarting from their home loss to Thurrock, Harrow Hill took out their frustration on St.Albans as they rolled over their hosts 4-0 at Clarence Park. Robert Dickinson and Misiu Mlynowski seem to have some type of internal awareness, as Mlynowski could only sense that Dickinson was breaking free when he skimmed a pass through traffic to him. Dickinson flicked the ball past Paul Bastock for an early Hill lead. Bastock made a series of sensational saves to keep his club close as the St.Albans' backline collapsed under Hill pressure. A beautifully worked throw-in from the left saw Sean Coburn wheeling and rifling a shot inside the far right post to move the margin to 2-0. Less than two minutes later another Mlynowski to Dickinson connection earned a brace for Dickinson and a 3-0 halftime lead. Hill refused to back off from their pressure in the second half and continued to dominate the midfield. A trip by John Williamson on Mark Russell, on for Mlynowski, in the area allowed Dickinson to complete his hattrick when he converted the ensuing penalty. Craig Farr had the easiest of clean sheets as Hill didn't allow the home side a shot in the entire match, outshooting them 17-0.

Heartwood was beaming, "It was great to see how badly the boys wanted this match- after the loss to Thurrock."

Pearson shook his head admiringly, "It was about the closest you will see to a perfect performance today. We could easily have won 8-0."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-14-2006, 03:46 AM

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26.12.05
Hill Fells Farnborough
After yielding an early first half goal, Harrow Hill fought back in the second half to score twice to edge a determined home side. Louis Dodds struck early after a dazzling pass from Matthew Platt put him in free and he slipped his shot past Craig Farr. Hill tried to fight back and get the match even by halftime, but timely tackling and solid play by Phil Morgan in goal kept the Cherrywood Park faithful happy at half. Hill stepped up more pressure in the second half, but their finishing was lacking and they failed to trouble Morgan. Robert Dickinson again proved he is a sharpshooter around the net as he fired in a goal off the rightside frame after a deft past from Ash Carew. Carew earned MOM honours with a corner kick that allowed Dickinson to tee the ball up and blast it past Morgan for a late match winning goal. Farr had to be steady as the Hill backline allowed too many chances in the late going.

"I was very glad to hear that final whistle," said a relieved Heartwood.

"Me too. We had too many 'close calls' in the last 10 minutes of the match," replied Pearson.

"We won, that is all that really matters from the match."

retired_destiny1124 · 03-15-2006, 03:37 AM

28.12.05
I thought it was a good time to sign Ash Carew to a longer contract. With his expiring in two seasons I wanted to get him locked into a longer deal and we settled on a 4-year contract. With the squad a bit more sorted out at this point, it is time to begin winnowing the squad a bit as we approach the reopening of the transfer window.

***

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2.1.06
Newport Hammers Hill
It was apparent that Harrow Hill didn't have enough left in the tank of this third straight road match as Newport potted two goals to win out 2-0. Hill appeared to have the same fluid attack as usual in the first half, but were uncharacteristically missing lots of passes down in the opposing area. Veteran keeper Peter Caldwell also showed experience counts by being in the right place to punch away two good scoring chances. The second half was Hill's undoing as Mark Gadsby slipped away from Lewis Tozer's marking twice- and both times flicked headers past Craig Farr to earn a brace while keying the win for the home side.

"Though we really didn't seem tired physically, we seemed tired mentally in the second half," observed Heartwood.

"I would agree with you. We had plenty of chances, but our execution and finishing was sloppy the entire match."

"At least we are headed back home for the next one."

Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)

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Another Harrowing Misadventure (Ages Challenge)