FAREHAM TOWN, HAYES & YEADING UNITED, HEATH HAYES
After all the fun of Eight games in four days, there was still time to squeeze in another three games but this time across three different leagues and the length of Britain. To get the ball rolling it was a very, very early 5am start for...
11am, Monday 13th April 2009
Wessex Premier League
Fareham Town 4-0 Horndean
Fareham Town 4-0 Horndean
Attendance: 129
Pretty average end-of-season affair at Cams Alders, apart from a 15 minute spell just after half time when Fareham bagged three quick goals through Mark Cotton (47) Luke Middleton (58) and Dan Turner (61). It didn't help an already relegated Horndean when they were reduced to 10 men on 57 minutes, as Billy Huntley gave verbals to the ref and was shown a straight red. The final goal came in stoppage time when Gary Austin fired home with virtually the last kick of the game.
Pretty average end-of-season affair at Cams Alders, apart from a 15 minute spell just after half time when Fareham bagged three quick goals through Mark Cotton (47) Luke Middleton (58) and Dan Turner (61). It didn't help an already relegated Horndean when they were reduced to 10 men on 57 minutes, as Billy Huntley gave verbals to the ref and was shown a straight red. The final goal came in stoppage time when Gary Austin fired home with virtually the last kick of the game.
It was a last minute change of mind as I was racing up the M3. The original plan was going to be Basingstoke Town v Havant & Waterlooville, as that was the closet Conference South game to Fareham. However, because the traffic was very kind (ie there was not much of it about) a more tastier game suddenly appeared on the radar...
3pm, Monday 13th April 2009
Conference South
Hayes & Yeading United 0
Hayes & Yeading United 0
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0
Attendance: 502
Hayes are chasing a play off spot so needed the points to maintain their position. Hampton were chasing Wimbledon for the title, so nothing other than a win would do. See what I mean about tasty?Couple this with the fact that the days of Church Road are numbered (its been sold off for housing, which is a shame, what a gem of a ground) this game was a no brainer really.
As it turned out, it was a decent game considering there were no goals. Either side could have won the game but great goalkeeping from the HYU No1 and poor finishing from their strikers kept the game scoreless. Hayes would be probably be more happier with the point than Hampton, especially when they learnt Wimbledon dropped two points at Bromley. Hampton must now be ruing those missed chances as it leaves them three points behind the Dons with two to play. Who's up next for Hampton...you guessed it...Wimbledon!
Hayes are chasing a play off spot so needed the points to maintain their position. Hampton were chasing Wimbledon for the title, so nothing other than a win would do. See what I mean about tasty?Couple this with the fact that the days of Church Road are numbered (its been sold off for housing, which is a shame, what a gem of a ground) this game was a no brainer really.
As it turned out, it was a decent game considering there were no goals. Either side could have won the game but great goalkeeping from the HYU No1 and poor finishing from their strikers kept the game scoreless. Hayes would be probably be more happier with the point than Hampton, especially when they learnt Wimbledon dropped two points at Bromley. Hampton must now be ruing those missed chances as it leaves them three points behind the Dons with two to play. Who's up next for Hampton...you guessed it...Wimbledon!
It was then time for the final mad dash of the day up the M25/40/42 and 6 to...
7.45pm, Monday 13th April 2009 Midland Combination Premier League Heath Hayes 1-2 Coventry Copsewood Attendance 40The Coppice Colliery ground was the setting for this Midland Combination game (Heath Hayes is a suburb of Cannock) and a very good game it was too. Coventry went 2-0 up with goals from Danny Vincent (6) and Peta-Jon Gordon (28), before Heath Hayes pulled a goal back through Justin Blackmore just before half time. It could have gone either way in the second half with both keepers making vital saves, the pace was frenetic and the game was end to end. Heath Hayes had their moments, and most of the play, but couldn't force an equaliser. Enjoyable game and the welcome received from the people at the club was second to none. I'll say it again, it just reinforces the point of what a great hobby this is.
I was back in the house for 11.20pm, a great days hopping and, coupled with the SWPL hop and the Villa v Everton game, it meant 11 games in 5 days...don't you just love Easter :)
