2nd Feb 2008 - Andy turns on the style to save Hedge End from defeat

The Hedge End team turned up in Winchester knowing that they had already beaten MVC at home but that means nothing in this league as they found out against Eastleigh and Sholing already this season.  Bernard was back in action but James was out with a leg injury.  Rory made his debut but had to start on the bench.  Keith kindly started in goal.

MVC started the game much brighter than Hedge End and early on had a few chances but resulted to long range shots.  MVC did get an early goal though when their striker hustled passed the Hedge End defence and just managed to get his shot in before getting blocked.

Then there was a great moment, when Keith, in goal, kicked the ball straight to the MVC striker and then shouted ' Oh No ' !  Not sure if this was a tactic to put him off, but it worked as he didn't get his shot in and in the end Hedge End cleared it.  You don't get these sort of tactical skills in the Premiership......

MVC then scored a second goal when they took the ball down the left wing, crossed it in and their striker flicked it passed Keith.  It was a very good move and not much Hedge End could have done to prevent it.

Hedge End did create a few chances, notably Matt running down the right and the shot just going wide and also Sunny coming in from the left and having his shot saved.  Dave also had a great chance when one on one with the keeper but he got brought down and only a free kick given.

Right at the end of the first half the ball was played into Matt who ran passed his defender but just as he was about to shoot another defender got in his way. 

In the second half Keith came out of goal and when into central defence and Dave replaced him in goal.  Rory came on to made his debut for the team.  The team dynamics changed slightly and it seemed to work as Keith, Andy and Doug were then playing a much more direct game.

This direct passing game created many more chances for Hedge End and Matt ran on to a great ball only for the ball to hit the post.  Then the ball fell to Rory who set Keith up to hit the ball narrowly wide.

Andy took the ball around three MVC players before placing the ball passed the keeper.  This made it 2-1 and Hedge End were right back in the game.  At this stage MVC did create a few chances but Hedge End knew that they had to press to get anything from the game.

With only ten minutes remaining Hedge End got a free kick just outside of the area.  Sunny took it quickly and it hit the cross-bar.  It bounced down straight into the path of Andy who headed into the goal whilst the MVC keeper was on the floor, having dived for the free kick.  It was nothing less than either Hedge End or Andy deserved.

After the lineman's flag went up for offside with another interesting decision, Matt decided to explain to the lineman how he believed that his decision might not have been the correct choice.  His actual phrasing might have been slightly different to this.

Right at the end MVC did have a great chance but it hit the keeper and then Ben cleared it for a corner.

It pains me to write it, but Callum did in fact have a really good game and did win a majority of the headers and tackles that came his way.  In fact it was great to see a strong, fighting spirit in the Hedge End team. 

We also got an exclusive post match interview with a St James player after their game on Saturday:

' Well, you were almost going to play the Plate Finalists this coming weekend, but for St James losing to Grace in a penalty shoot-out!!! It was a cracking game, 2-2 after extra time, but my first game in weeks so pretty knackered. '

It looks like it's going to be a very hard game next Saturday.  Lets hope Hedge End are on form again.