3rd Nov 2007 - Hedge End's unbeaten run continues

Fans at St Georges school were in for a treat on Saturday when Hedge End took on new boys of the league Cosham.  They witnessed Hedge End extend their unbeaten run to two games.  Sunny and Andy were both out of the team, but we welcomed back the super solid Keith and Ali impressed so much on his debut that he got called into the squad again.  Bernard had recovered and returned to the first team.  It was rumoured that we had a professional turn up, but unfortunately for us it was Roy the photographer and not a player for our team...

Hedge End had to weather the storm of pressure from Cosham in the first half, although both teams failed to create many chances.  The game was a real midfield battle and both teams worked hard to win the ball.  Then disaster struck when Bernard had to go off injured early in the game. Is was an invaluable contribution by the manager who managed to stamp his authority on the game for all of the 5 minutes he lasted!

From a free kick Andy made one of the best saves we have ever seen, diving to his right at full stretch and pushed it wide.  This proved why he is now the number one keeper for Hedge End and we hope he stays with us for a long time and doesn't get tempted to move to a bigger club. 

Josh also has told me to say the following ' Josh was solid all game '.  I hope he's happy now.  In all honestly though Josh, Keith, Andy and Ali worked well together to create a fighting midfield that stopped Cosham from going through the middle.  You can tell this from some of the pictures of the game here.  Our defence was also very solid the whole game and credit to the back four, who won a majority of the headers that came their way.

The second half started as the first had finished with Cosham putting pressure on Hedge End.  A free kick went just over the bar and a few other chances went wide.  Then it was Hedge Ends turn to pile on the pressure but again not many clear cut chances came their way.  Early in the second half Keith had to go home, but he didn't take his balls, and so we could continue playing !

Towards the end Cosham stuck the cross bar from a lob but fortunately for Hedge End it bounced out passed their strikers and they could clear.  Then Hedge End had a few chances with Steve and Dave shooting just wide.  Matt again worked really hard up front and made some great runs.  Dave was quite lazy though and has made a promise to work harder in the future.  There was also a comment from Keith:  ' It's just as well Dave doesn't do 'spot the ball' because he wouldn't be able to put a cross in. ' Rob made some great runs down the wing all game. 

Pete's announcement that he is leaving the club in December means that we will have to arrange a Christmas do / Stag do / Leaving do on the 8th December if our game that day is not cancelled.

After everything I think that a 0-0 draw was a fair result all around and had anybody stolen a goal towards the end then it would have been really unfair on the other team.  If Sunny and Andy are back for the return game then it should prove another very interesting game for Hedge End.