Lakeford Match Report 3/12/11

Another sunny morning but the temperature's dropping. This fixture was an oddity in the calendar as there were to be four teams attending, but only one match each. Our league match was against Lakeford, a club with a long history and adult, as well as youth teams. We had agreed that we would play one, possibly two friendlies with the other teams.

HPR players listening (eventually) to team orders

Lakeford game (final score HPR won 4 - 0)

For the Lakeford game we decided to go straight in with an attacking line up that had soon produced a two goal lead from Aidan and Archie R. Archie G covered the midfield admirably with some strong defence as usual from Frankie and Evie holding the Lakeford strikers at bay. Ted produced a spectacular save tipping the ball over the bar to end the firat half 2 - 0 up.

The team changed for the second half with Luke and Ted uo front and Aidan taking over in goal. Felix and Max kept the ball away from the Heigham Park goal area and the goalie started to look a bit cold due to lack of activity. Sol is proving an efficient midfielder with a quick turn of pace and use of both feet. Aidan almost scored from a drop kick which sailed all the way up the pitch only to be fumbled by the Lakeford goalie and tapped in by Luke. Ted added another with a quick strike from his left foot - quick thinking! Final score 4 - 0 to Heigham Park Rangers.

Norwich United game (final score 1 - 1 draw)

The team were relishing a friendly against Norwich Utd. as they had caught us napping in our first meeting and we had come a cropper as the team were used to playing an attacking game and not used to winning. This time we were ready for them and by half time, with the solid Evie/Sol defence plus Max in midfield combination, the score was 0 - 0.

In the second half Norwich Utd were soon able to pop one in, although Ted nearly equalised from an Archie R free kick. The team stuck to their positions well and blocked the big Norwich Utd. strikers coming forward . Lots of good passing play saw a cross from Archie R slipped home by Aidan past the keeper. Final score 1 - 1, a good result considering these are one of the stronger teams in the league.

Taverham game (final score Taverham won 2 - 1)

We decided to play a third game with Taverham who we beat a couple of weeks ago. The players were obviously tired by now, not that they would admit to it. The game was scrappy affair with lots of physical contact resulting in an early penalty and bloody nose for Ted. The Taverham goalie dived that right way and pushed it round the post. Taverham had a coupke of very close chances and soon had one in the net. Archie R soon equalised from an lovely through pass from Aidan. The second half became a bit of a battlefield with more tears and foot to the head for Sol. Taverham slipped one past the Heigham defence right at the end to win 2 - 1.

With hindsight, two games would have been enough.

Player of the match was Sol for midfield pace and tenacious defensive play.

There's plans for a couple of friendlies on Saturday 17 December as the next league match isn't until 7 January.