16th Feb 2008 – Hedge End prove that they are not whipping boys

In a game that looked certain for a home win with Lighthouse being second in the division, Hedge End were missing Bernard, Sunny and Ali. Josh returned to the team after a long absence and Dan made his debut. Before we set off Andy Mays was presented with his Hovis Best of Both loaf for scoring last week. Big Andy presented it to him and it was a moving moment for all.

Most of us were getting changed when, in true Sunny style, Andy phoned up and asked where we all were. After pointing out that there were in fact two changing room buildings in Winchester we managed to get him to join us. Doug wore tracksuit trousers as he forgot to bring shorts.

Big Andy reverted back to centre back with James and this allowed Josh to play in the centre of midfield. Dan started up front with Matt and Steve on the right wing. Hedge End started very positive and tried to get something from the game.

After some pressure from Lighthouse they got a corner and when the corner came in their big central midfielder headed it in the bottom right corner.

Soon after that Hedge End got back into the game with Andy crossed a ball in and Steve ran in to meet it and slide it passed the keeper. It was a very well worked goal.

Then, Lighthouse did exactly the same as their first goal to get a second. Again they got a corner and when the corner came in their same big central midfielder headed it in the bottom right corner.

This didn't deter Hedge End and from a corner Doug got his head on the ball to loop it over the keeper and into the far hand corner to make it 2-2.

With half time fast approaching Lighthouse went ahead when their fast striker ran on to a through ball and put it through Dave's legs.

The first half ended 3-2 to Lighthouse.

In the second half Keith kindly went in goal and so Dave reverted to being up front and Matt went on the right wing.

Keith was amazing in goal, tipping the ball over twice when it was just the Lighthouse striker against him and then he deflected it onto the bar as well. Add this to his dive on the right hand side to save a long shot and it's no wonder Keith sometimes takes over from Dave in goal. Well that and the fact that nobody else will.......

Lighthouse grabed a fourth when they crossed the ball in the area for it to get stuck on the pitch and then their striker just had to tap it past Keith.

Matt grabbed his 11^th goal of the season from some great play by Hedge End and when the ball fell to Steve hs crossed it to the far post and Matt scored from a very tight angle. Again it was nothing that Matt didn't deserve as he had been running down the right wing all half creating chances.

The whole team made a great effort in this game and some very good performances were on display. Josh was running after everything, Dan was playing some great link play on his debut, James was solid, Andy was making great tackles, Steve was taking on people, the defence was strong, the midfield battled, the strikers ran after balls.

The game was played in a very good spirit by both teams and their manager was very nice in that he came over and thanked us all for the game.