MATCH REPORTS 23RD MARCH 2013
Division Two League Cup Semi Final
Just when we thought it safe to look forward to a run of games being played the weather hit us with vengeance again. The most high profile game to get played was the Division Two League Cup Semi Final between Cricketers Horndon Saxons and Hale End Athletic. Quite often we talk about a goal being scored against the run of play; this wasn’t the case in this game after an even start, more a case of scoring against the horizontal blizzard that the hosts were trying to battle. Thirteen minutes in Tony Baker got behind the Hale End defence to put his side one up. Eleven minutes later some hesitation in the Hale End defence allowed Kellye Stephens in to pock home his side’s second. Cricketers Horndon appeared to think the job was down and eased off which Hale End took advantage of on thirty four minutes. Following a partly cleared corner Assistant Referee Dean Humphreys was in the perfect position to spot a hand ball offence which was shielded from all the other players. Halil Hassan despatched the resultant penalty. Three minutes before half time Kevin Whitworth met an excellent corner at the far post to pull his side level at the interval. To everyone’s relief the snow stopped during the break. Nine minutes into the second half came the goal of the game as Steven Nicholas crashed the ball home off the underside of the cross bar to restore Cricketers Horndon’s lead. With fifteen minutes to go the hosts increased their lead when Tim Devlin scrambled the ball home off the post from a free kick. Hale End Athletic were forced to throw caution to the wind in pursuit of goals and Cricketers Horndon made them pay with four goals in the last five minutes with Stuart Lake, Tony Baker, Taner Erdal and Dave Huckle doing the damage. This was really tough on Gary Doodes in the Hale End Athletic goal had pulled off a string of excellent saves during the game.
Division Three West
Heath Park extended their lead at the top of the Division thanks to a 3-0 win over Westhamians. Debden Sports jumped up to third place with a 6-1 victory over Hornminster. Debden’s goals came from a Barry Pope hat-trick, two from Richard Rones and one from their leading marksman Tony Maslin.
Division Four West
Hornchurch gained their first home win of the season at the expense of Newport. Philip Stapleton had ensured the visitors went in level at half time but Jason Ward’s 55th minute goal gave Hornchurch the points.