MATCH REPORTS

HIGHFIELD UNITED UNDER 18s 2009/10

Pre-season friendly Highfield U18 v Highfield Senior Reserves
AUG 23rd
 
A red hot August lunchtime saw the newly formed Under 18's take on a re-vamped senior reserve team
at The North School Astroturf.  The first 20 minutes saw both teams have their chances but good stops
or rusty finishing meant things were finely balanced until the seniors  hit the target with a break down the
right.  They got their 2nd just before half time with a finely taken header from a corner. The 2nd half saw
the seniors pile on the pressure having numerous chances but the under 18's didn't lie down and they
missed a few great chances after some useful passages of play. Some indiscipline by the youngsters 
meant enforced changes to the line up, the seniors took advantage of this and added 2 more goals to
make it 4-0. Overall, this was a useful exercise for the under 18's against a more experienced team and
the seniors took the opportunity to gel their new players in.

Highfield v White Cliff Rangers 06-09-09
The manager had a selection headache after 6 new signings in the final week before the season opener, he opted for a
starting line-up of Liam Wratten, Ryan Gurney, Reece Cahalane, Jack Acott, Perry Maskell, Jack Blowers, Tom Thirkell,
Aaron Neil, Dan Churchley, Kieran Hawkins & Michael Herbert.  The subs were James Sloan, Aiden Light and Reece Murrell
(all came on in the 2nd half). The first half was fairly even with White Cliffs relying on long balls through the middle but with
no luck & Highfield trying to play with the ball on the floor, but with the team having virtually no previous time together they
couldn't punish the visitors.  Towards the end of the half it looked only a matter of time till the deadlock would be broken,
but the woodwork and some indecision in front of goal kept the scores even at the break. The managers half time team talk
obviously gave the home side the confidence to sieze the advantage and started playing some decent football creating
numerous chances and eventually broke the deadlock. Aaron began taking control of the midfield, Jack Acott and Reece
worked well together at the back giving the visitors few chances & Kieran ended up getting a hat-trick to earn Highfield the
3 points. The manager could not decide on a Man of the match due to everyone doing so well, lets hope the squad can build
on this for the trip to Hugin Vikings this Sunday.

Hugin Vikings v  Highfield 13th Sept 09
On a very hard, dusty pitch the Highfield team were warming up when goalkeeper Liam got a faceful of dust and put him out of
the game. Kieran got the short straw and took the gloves. The rest of the team seemed to gel and fought that little bit harder
and pulled of a tremendous 9-4 win, with goals coming from Aiden-3, Michael-1, Aaron-2, Reece M-1, Dan C-1 & Jack B-1.
Team - Liam W (Kieran H), James S, Reece M, Jack A, Tom T, (Dave O), Dan C, Aaron N, Reece C, Jack B, Aiden
L, Michael H.

HIGHFIELD v  St  MARGARETS 20th SEPT

After welcoming one of the divisions top teams, the game got under way. Their style of play was one of the hardest so far.  As
the game went on it was end to end football but after a mistake from a corner,  the visiting side took the lead which only made
the lads more determined to score. With a long ball upfield and a flick on by Kieran over the heads of their back line and into the
path of Michael who hit the ball leaving the net sighing when it returned out.  So at half time we were holding our own. In the 2nd
half we came out fighting having at least 70% of the possession the chances were there but not taken. Then halfway through, a
ball into the visitors box, for sub Aiden to get onto, caused problems and the referee awarded a penalty for hand ball. Kieran
stepped up and slotted it past the keeper. The game then got even harder with tackles flying in but the lads carried on playing
football, in the end the boys not only walked off with their heads held high, but a decent 2-1 victory. It's very hard to name a MOM
as everyone did the jobs they had to, which makes my job even harder than it already is, as we already have a very good/strong
squad. I would like to say sorry to Dave and Tom who didn't get on, but were there supporting their team mates.
Team: Liam W, Ryan G, Jack A, Reece C, James S, Jack B, Dan C, Aaron N, Reece M, Michael H (Aiden L), Kieran H.
Subs not used Dave O, Tom T.
Report by Tony (manager)

Ashford Borough v Highfield CUP
Sunday 4th Oct. The Ridge,
This was always going to be the toughest game so far for the newly formed Highfield team but things were made more difficult
by unavailability of players and others not communicating with the manager. So the 11 that were there knew they were in for a
game!   The re-shuffled line-up struggled in the early stages and within 20 minutes Ashford Borough were 2-0 up. They dug deep
and kept the score the same till half time.  An early goal in the 2nd half put the home team 3-0 up but Highfield managed to get
one back through Michael Herberts tenacity and fine finish. Injuries to 4 Highfield players lead to periods with 10 men and
Ashford Borough capitalised as they finished off 5-1 winners.
Team: Liam W, James S, Jack A, Reece C, Dan C, Jack B, Aaron N, Reece M, Jamie M, Kieran H, Michael H.
Well done to all those players, you battled well, but it wasn't to be on the day. In 2 weeks you get another crack at them in the
league, hopefully with more players to chose from.

Highfield 4v3 Walmer Rovers
Sunday 11th Oct
The home side got off to a flying start when a pass to the left wing put Kieran in space, the defenders left Michael unmarked on
the far post, Kieran squared the ball and Michael calmly slotted the ball in. It was fairly even for 20 minutes then Walmer attacked
a well delivered corner and the ball was bundled in.  Highfield responded quickly and the same combination of Kieran and
Michael worked well to regain the lead. The 2nd half saw Highfield take control and after a long range low drive from Aaron, the
ball deflected off a defender, the keeper mis-read the wicked spin on it and saw the ball trickle into the net. The 4th goal from
Kieran seemed to kill off the visitors, but to their credit they regrouped and put in a great last 10 minutes. They got 2 goals,
and in the last minute a long range clearance from the keeper put the centre forward through with only Liam to beat, luckily the
shot hit the side netting and it was all over.
Team: Liam W, James S, Jack A, Reece C, Michael D, Aaron N, Reece M, Dan C, Jack B, Kieran H, Michael H.
Sub (not used) John H.
Report: C. Hawkins

HIGHFIELD U/18s V St MARGARETS   24th Jan 10

Due to work commitments the Highfield team travelled to Dover to play St. Margarets with 11 men. It turned out St. Margarets
had the same number because of similar reasons, so the game kicked off in wintery sunshine on an even playing field.
The first 40 minutes were painfull to watch with both teams showing rustiness after such a long break, resorting to long balls
which rarely led to an attempt on goal. A loose ball on the edge of the Highfield area saw a St. Margarets player hit a hard,
low shot through the crowd and the ball nestled in the corner of the net. Just before the break the home team went 2 up with a
well taken lob which Liam could do nothing about.
A stern talk at half time by the manager saw a different Highfield team come out in the 2nd half. They started playing the ball along
the ground and moving better, it took 15 minutes to get the goal and Michael Herbert finished off a good move. It was 2-2 a few
minutes later when a lob from Kieran Hawkins was excellently saved by the keeper but Mike was in the right place to tap home
for his 2nd. St. Margarets heads began to drop but the tackles didn't, luckily Highfield kept their heads and knew this game was
there for the taking. Aaron began to boss the midfield and laying off some good balls, Michael got his hat-trick, Aaron tapped
home after a scramble, Michael got his 4th of the game, then Aaron hit an unstoppable frre kick into the top corner. 6-2 to
Highfield after a great 2nd half display. Team - Liam Wratten, Michael Dryland, Reece Murrell, James Sloan, David Owen,
Reece Cahalane, Jack Blowers, Aaron Neil, Dan Churchley, Kieran Hawkins, Michael Herbert.