MATCH REPORT Netherton Colts West V HCR 25.3.12

A beautiful day at Netherton Park set the scene for this match on the lower pitch. HCR were minus Rawaz and Ethan from the squad. Play got underway both teams were lively and HCR mounted some early pressure. Winning a corner Tariq was assigned the duty of delivering the ball which he did with aplomb and Marzouk applied the necessary finish to open the scoring. 0-1.

Jack fancied his chances and played in a great ball but the Netherton keeper collected well. HCR continued to press but Netherton were packing the box and blocking well. Nathan won the ball on the edge of the box and put in a great ball which the keeper did well to save. On winning another corner Aaron's cross met Paddy’s head but it went out. Sam and Nathan were playing well and they were passing the ball around nicely with Sam’s final effort going just wide.

Aaron got a boot to the face but managed to get to his feet. HCR were awarded a free kick which Tariq took and he launched it well, sending it through a crowd of players including the keeper for 0-2. 

Netherton were awarded a free kick and their shot forced a great save from Javon in the top left corner. Another corner from Tariq was met by Sam who was unlucky not to convert it. There were several chances and good passing between Marzouk, Aaron, Tariq and Sam, we were unlucky not to profit from. Aaron made a great run on the right wing and won us another corner. The score at half time was 0-2.

2^nd Half

Josh took a free kick and it went just over the top left corner. Netherton went on the attack and Matty cleared brilliantly off the line, an unmarked Netherton player made no mistake from close range to score a great goal 1-2. Maien was lively but unfortunately was adjudged to be offside. HCR who had started the 2^nd half somewhat sluggishly began to lift the tempo, Marzouk danced through some players and his shot was pushed out only as far as Aaron who scampered onto the ball and finished well to bring the score to 1-3. All credit to Aaron on getting this goal as his work rate was tremendous and he had picked up a number of knocks en route.

Thankfully HCR started to pile more pressure on, Sam sending a great pass across the front of goal. Marzourk continued to work well and unselfishly passed to Sam who applied the necessary quality finish 1-4. Jack, who as we know can shoot from distance, fired a beauty which cannoned off the post. Marzourk continued to work and press and chipped a great ball to Hamza who got his head to it but it went just over. Ben was alert to a Netherton surge and cleared the ball and Josh took a free kick which was dealt with well by Netherton leaving the final score Netherton 1 HCR 4.

Aaron was voted Man of the match, he worked tirelessly and pounced on every ball which paid off with his great goal. Well done lads, let’s keep going, all your hard work is paying off !

HCR are awarded the FA Charter Standard Club Certificate

We are very proud to announce that in February 2012 Halesowen Community Rangers FC achieved the FA Charter Standard Club accreditation, which is awarded by The FA to formally recognise clubs who are committed to raising standards throughout grassroots football.

To achieve the Charter Standard, HCR have proven to The FA that we are a well organised club and that we are well managed and committed to providing a positive experience for all players, coaches and volunteers involved with the club.

In the award letter sent to our Chairman, Abdul Hamed, Mick Baikie who is National Clubs Services Manager at The FA said:

"The FA is proud of its FA Charter Standard Programme and we understand and appreciate the work and commitment required to achieve the accreditation and for this we are extremely grateful. 

"By maintaining standards and utilising The FA logo alongside your club it can promote its acivities to parents, volunteers, sponsors and other potential funders and demonstrate the high standards it sets on and off the field.

"As an FA Charter Standard Club I hope that you continue to work with our County FA to uphold and maintain the standards of the Programme, retain your accreditation and continue to raise standards throughout grassroots football.

"Once again, many congratulations on achieving The FA Charter Standard accreditation".

We would like to thank and congratulate Abdul and the coaching team at HCR, Gam and Raj for their dedication and hard work in achieving this standard. Also thanks to Youssef who has retired from the coaching team recently but was involved alongside his colleagues in getting the award.

We would also like to express a huge well-done to the young people in the HCR team for your hard work and your commitment to our values as a club. The group exercises and indiviudal based interviews you recently participated in, especially on our away day at Cleobury Mortimer in January, all helped not only to get the FA Charter Standard but also to contribute to the future foundations of Halesowen Community Rangers.

As we witnessed last Saturday with the traumatic collapse of the Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba in their FA Cup tie with Spurs and the coming together of all players, supporters, officials and media in a shared sense of shock and concern, there are more important things in the beautiful game than just winning points and trophies. Building a firm foundation of shared values and standards from the outset will make HCR a strong and caring club which continually strives to meet our aim of bringing communities together through sport, both in good times and bad.

Match Report - Dudley Town vs HCR - 18th March 2012

HCR started the game missing both goalkeepers, Ethan and Javon. Sam gallantly volunteered to don the gloves and stand in, this is commendable as he is usually scoring or making goals at the other end.

Dudley Town started well and Aaron was called on to make an important block. A decent free kick by Dudley Town saw Maien clear the ball. An end to end game saw a shot from Matty saved well by the opposition goalkeeper.

HCR won a corner which Josh sent into the box but Aaron’s header was cleared out of the box. Jack made a great tackle and which fell to a Dudley town player who saw an over-head kick diverted away from the goal. HCR were wining a number of corners which Dudley managed to deal with effectively.  Dudley began demonstrating their attacking strength and forced Sam to make 2 top draw saves in quick succession. Dudley played in a testing corner which was capably dealt with by Hamza.

Marzouk got the ball down and played Hamza in whose shot fizzed past the post, Dudley continued to press and Jack was alert to the situation making an assured clearance. HCR were awarded another corner but were unable to convert due to the packed box and resolute defending by Dudley.

Maien had a great effort  diverted off course by the Dudley keeper, a goal kick was awarded but this was  well won by HCR and the ball played to Aaron who crossed to Maien who was ready and hit a sublime volley in the top left hand corner to open the scoring 0 - 1. It wasn’t long before Marz got  on the score sheet with a beautiful goal from his great run down the wing, weaving in and out to produce a cool finish for 0 - 2.

HCR continued to press and Hamza’s effort was saved and rangers were playing a better game and creating more chances.

Half time score Dudley Town 0 - HCR 2.

Aaron won a free kick and his effort was saved. Hamza started the 2^nd half with great energy and went on a great run but was denied by the keeper in the final moment and saw his shot go wide. Dudley were looking to get something from this match and HCR were called upon to battle, Dudley were rewarded when they got their goal which was a great finish. 1 – 2.The pressure was on as both teams upped the tempo Maz and Maien were playing some good passes with the ball ending up with Hamza in the box with only one thing on his agenda he was pushed over and denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, a penalty was awarded. Hamza stepped up and placed a powerful shot into the back of the net to make the score 1- 3.

The quality of football was improving as the game progressed and HCR were passing the ball with more precision. Tariq skipped through several players only to see the Dudley keeper collect his shot leaving the final score Dudley Town 1- HCR 3.

Man of the match was awarded to Sam who played in goal making a number of great saves but even more so for his show of courage and commitment to the team to fill the gap in goal. 

Match Report - Pensnett Harriers v Halesowen Community Rangers

Sunday 11th March 2012

A bright, sunny afternoon with a slight breeze set the scene for a game that was always going to be a tight affair. Pensnett are a strong physical side and they started well.  Aaron’s early cross into the corridor of uncertainty was well saved by the Pensnett keeper. HCR won a corner and Tariq put in a great ball that no one was able to convert.

Up the other end Pensnett won a corner which Javon was able to meet and punch out in super style. Despite the small pitch HCR were trying to play football, Aaron, Maien, and Hamza were knocking the ball around nicely and Hamza’s shot went just wide.

Javon parried a decent shot but was unable to stop the 2^nd attempt to open the scoring 1- 0. Jack put in a fabulous free kick, Rawaz got his head to it, alas it went wide. HCR were punished when Pensnett got their 2^nd goal 2- 0.HCR continued to battle with Rawaz making a well timed tackle to take the sting out of a Pensnett attack.

Aaron made his way up the other end, passed to Sam who played in a great cross, no one was at hand to finish. Half time score -  2- 0 to Pensnett.

2nd Half

After what can only have been a tough and inspirational team talk from Rajab the 2^nd half got under way. HCR started to play with more composure and Aaron made a great decision to square the ball to Matty whose shot from distance was a corker and sailed into the back of the net 2- 1.This was the catalyst that HCR needed to execute a stylish comeback, congratulations to Matty as this was his 1^st goal this season from right back. HCR began to play more to their usual standard and won another free kick. Josh’s delivery was met by the head of Tariq who forced the ball over the line, a great headed goal which was well deserved as Tariq had been winning everything in the air.

With the equaliser under our belt, HCR were playing like a team that were seeking  the winner. We thought Zeyad had the winner when a great effort went over the bar. Pensnett had another attempt which Javon managed to divert across the front of goal.

Jack won the ball and went on a great run and won a free kick, he delivered superbly into the box and Sam attacked it making sure to score a very important goal, for the first time in this match HCR were ahead in the scoring 2- 3.

The excitement continued with Josh hitting the cross bar, Maien chased the ball down and his great effort was scooped up by the Pensnett keeper. Pensnett pressed, Javon was alert to the danger and eliminated any concern. HCR maintained their lead until the final whistle 2- 3.

This was not our finest 1^st half performance, however, in the 2^nd half we showed tremendous character to keep playing and grind out a result to retain our position at the top of the league table. Some great performances today, Rawaz was outstanding in the first half. Each of today’s goals were hugely important – Matty’s gave us the belief to stage our comeback, Tariq’s was the all important equaliser and Sam scored the winner and indeed a monuental goal as it was our 100^th goal of the season ! Man of the match was awarded to Maien who had an excellent game, pressed the ball, and contended everything and never gave up. Well done Maien for your effort and energy and congratulations to the whole team and coaches for another 3 points.

The Pensnett goalie made a number of great saves and played through an injury.        

HCR vs Stourbridge FC Juniors - 4th March 2012

11 goals, 3 points and a clean sheet

In cold and windy conditions both teams started brightly, Ethan was called upon to clear the ball out of danger. Then Taz blocked the ball on the line to keep the score at 0-0.

Sam hit the post, Maien was on hand to mop up the second ball but the ball was well saved by the Stourbridge goalie.

Matty and Ethan combined well to cover a Stourbridge attack. Maz had a wonderful shot well saved. Not to be thwarted Maz continued to press and produced some of his magic to start the scoring for 1-0. 

HCR began to step up the quality with some great passing between Jack and Taz, Maien had an excellent chance well saved and then Maien volleyed the ball goalwards only for the Stourbridge goalie to pull off a great save.

Sam had a good chance saved which Maien despatched cooly into the back of the net for 2-0. The 3rd goal combined super skills from Maien and Sam to produce Sam's 1st goal of the game 3-0.

Getting in the flow Maz continued to set up goals this time sending a beautiful ball into the net for 4-0. Stourbridge made a good attack which Ethan had well covered as the shot went just wide Rawus was clearing danger and forced the Stourbridge number 7 to put his decent shot just wide.

HCR continued the momentum , superb interplay between Maz and Nathan gave Taz the opportunity to take the tally to 5-0. Hamza J and Taz were enjoying great footbal, passing the ball to Maz on the edge of the box and he passed it calmly into the back of the net for 6-0.

HCR were awarded a corner which Josh put in the box, Zeyad and Paddy had chances but the keeper managed to gather. Hamza made a great strong run, the keeper spilled the ball and we were unable to capitalise.

Stourbridge surged forward, putting their effort wide. Aaron put in a quality corner, Maz's 1st touch was exquisite and he placed the ball superbly for 7-0. Javon made a great save in a 1 on 1 situation. HCR's counter attack saw Hamza bundle the ball over the line for 8-0.

Shortly after Hamza applied his left foot to the ball sending it into the roof of the net for 9-0.

Taz was managing to keep the ball under pressure showing great skill, strength and persistance.

HCR were defending well, determined to keep a clean sheet, all credit to Rawuz, Jack and Torrin to keep Stourbridge out as they attacked.

Javon took a great goal kick, Sam ran well, controlled the ball and in true route one style scored to make double figures 10-0. The final goal of the game was scored by Jack, a smart finish from just inisde the box.

Final score 11-0.

Man of the match was Taz who played really well and bagged 2 goals.

Credit to all players for a great team performance, a clean sheet and 11 goals to our impressive tally, well done lads.