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.
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