(Tues, 13-May-14): vs Haslemere Town Harriers (A): 1-2

Haslemere had been our nemesis throughout season 2013/14. We could see early on in the season that they were a side to be reckoned with because of the results that they were getting and the way that were slowly climbing the table.
We had lost to them twice at home – in the Cup 1-3 and in the League 2-4. We seemed to be getting closer but ( if anything ) we needed to beat them to rid ourselves of any psychological angst and also to lay down a marker for next season if we were to share a division again.
It was an odd time to be playing a football match and there were some casualties of time (including yours truly who arrived to see us go promptly 1-0 down – and thanks Glenn for filling in on the line duty). We were a bit unlucky with the goal as poor Euan was obviously in difficulties, and so was Ollie. Max ST has many wonderful qualities but he hasn’t quite mastered omnipresence yet – it’s only a matter of time though.
The Haslemere No 11 was doing his usual impression of Lionel Messi ( he is a very good footballer – the number 11 that is ) but now that the Headley Massive had formed and had invaded the Home Team’s technical area the tables were to be turned. It was really like a home fixture so well done parents.
Mention has to be made of the sterling work at the back. Ollie Euan and Max ST were everywhere, tracking back, shadowing, clearing and generally breaking up the Haslemere forays, which usually pivoted around their excellent number 11. The midfield were also putting a shift in to try and screen them and to give Haslemere something to think about, with Charlie Morris and Ryan doing some great work around central midfield, aided by the Twins of Evil ( Max I doing some admirable work at the back too ) and Charlie Beeson, Rowan and Jack all getting stuck in.
But we needed goals. As private parts to the Gods are we they play with us for their sport!
We managed to hit the bar and create some other chances as our patented passing game started to flourish again after the shock of going a goal down.
The breakthrough finally came when a Charlie Morris cross was turned in by the prolific Noah and after yet more attacks the lead that we had been wanting so much against this particular team came, courtesy of Max I, this time assisted by Euan who deserves the George Cross for playing through the pain barrier so many times.
Haslemere were never going to take this lying down…..
Charge after charge with their number 11 at the pivot, and each boy played his part in repelling them. Some excellent defensive work again but a very special mention must go to Oscar. What a performance he gave. An absolute brick wall for the times when Haslemere did manage to wriggle away from the attentions of our defenders, and how many one on ones did he foil? Man of the Match was very easy to pick indeed.
I think we are all chuffed that such a brilliant season ended on such a positive (and winning) note.
The Harriers have all played at their best this season and with a little bit more luck may even have come out on top (when you consider that the likely winners of the league were beaten twice by us).
A big well done and thank you to the coaches too, the hard work in training is really paying off and the boys have responded well to the enthusiasm and direction being given. The Harriers are a real team in every sense of the word.
Glenn and Connie have been a huge help with all of the organising and admin (and Glenn filling in on the line) and I know how much time that can take. Having seen the superb records of goals and assists you can see where some of that time has gone.
The parents also deserve a big thank you for turning up and marking the pitch, helping with setting up the goals, running the line and being vocal and supportive of the boys, who will most definitely appreciate the efforts made (even if they don’t show it).


We are now onto the Tournament(s). It’s about time we won one of these and based on the form shown thus far, I don’t think we are too far away.

(Conor Geoghegan)

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& a big thanks to Conor too - for running the line & of course for the brilliant match reports …. giving us all a great kick start to our week!

(HEADLEY HARRIERS U11’S)

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