Match Report 16-12-2012

West Hagley North vs Halesowen Community Rangers

HCR were the visitors to West Hagley following our recent last gasp draw a couple of weeks earlier. Both teams started brightly Aaron and Maien lively and effective with the ball. Elliott scored from an offside position keeping the score 0-0 but things were looking good. Taha was industrious and combining well with Hamza who drew the keeper out only to shoot just over the bar.

Hagley won a corner which Javon parried out and Hagley finished well for 1-0. Shortly afterwards Hagley scored their second of the game when the ball trickled over the line for 2-0, a very soft goal for us to concede and in contrast to the positive start that HCR had made. Javon was called into action as the confidence in the home side was visibly growing and he pulled off a great save to keep HCR in the game. However HCR were thwarted soon after and were victims to a well worked goal by Hagley for 3-0. Half time looming Aaron managed to persist and score for HCR.

Half time: West Hagley North 3 vs Halesowen Community Rangers 1

The second half started well Taha’s great effort was saved, up the other end Javon saved a Hagley attempt. Then Javon was off his line and conceded for 4-1. From this point Hagley surged into “all out” mode whilst HCR appeared to allow this to happen. A flurry of home goals leaving the final score  at 7-1. A strange game to watch with one left scratching one’s head, well done to Paddy who was forced to play in goal and made one great save and conceded one.

Final score: West Hagley North 7 vs Halesowen Community Rangers 1

Let’s hope this was a one off, the Christmas and New Year break looms with our first match of 2013 against our Locals Bearwood Sports on 6.1.2013. Have a great break everyone and see you next year! 

Match Report - Sunday 2nd December 2012

Halesowen Community Rangers  Vs  West Hagley North

We welcomed West Hagley to very boggy conditions  at Hurst Green on Sunday, however it must be said that West Hagley brightened the day by bringing along the cutest team mascot in Zara “the teddy bear dog”.

It was good to get a game underway with so many games cancelled due to the weather recently. All credit to the 30 players and the match official for coping in very muddy conditions, it can’t have been easy. Thanks also to Gamel Saleh and match official Matthew Flanagan for carrying out an early pitch inspection.

Both teams made a good start; this was not going to be an easy game with the conditions affecting the movement of the ball and the players. Marzouk was lively and had an early chance forcing a good save from the Hagley keeper who looked to be a safe pair of hands, which we found as the match unfolded. Chris and Zeyad were combining well, Hamza was taken down nothing awarded.

A slip up at the back allowed Hagley to open the scoring with a good finish. HCR continued to press with Maien and Chris moving the ball forward to Hamza who won a penalty and placed it just wide.

The half time whistle blew with the visitors one goal ahead.

The second half saw HCR come back on the field of play and persevere with the conditions uphill. Early on there were two excellent chances when both  Hamza and Aaron shot across goal with no one able to get to them and finish, this was encouraging play  with Taha, Zeyad and Marzouk working away, breaking up play and creating. Hagley were fast in the attack and were on target for a sure goal in the top left hand corner and somehow Javon got to it for a top quality save.

Marzouk was looking likely to score when his shot was parried out to Elliot who was making an impact on his debut, 1 on 1 with the keeper his shot went just wide. HCR were building their momentum with Aaron shooting over the bar. There was spirit and passion evident and Aaron, Elliot and Marzouk were linking up only for Marzouk’s shot to go wide, on another day we would have put these chances away.

HCR were trying to grab an equaliser which was looking likely by the effort and commitment but the clock was ticking down. We were awarded a free kick on the half way line with only minutes to go. Mo who was playing in defence on his debut was the only man back and Javon (GK) appeared to being taking the free kick, the HCR faithful on the side line rallied and encouraged him and the ball flew through the air, in under the bar and plopped in the muddy goal to get the equaliser the whole team had been working for. There was heartache for Hagley and happiness for HCR. This may well be our defining moment of the season where we get our season well and truly under way, the jubilation was a joy to see. A point salvaged but more importantly team spirit ignited. Hagley’s rapid No 13 raced through the defence and shot over the bar just before the final whistle to keep the score level. A point each.

Final Score HCR 1  -  West Hagley North 1

Man of the Match – Javon Bailey for pulling off a top quality save to keep us in the game at 1-0 and for scoring the equaliser from a free kick on the half way line.