Match Report – Maresfield Vets v HFLFC

Maresfield Vets v Hills Farm Lane Vets FC

Manager- Trevor Evershed

Sunday 19th November 2017 – Maresfield – 12.00 kick off

Half time - 1-1
Full time – 2-4

Goals – Liam Kelly, Gareth Jones, Clifton Palace x 2.
M.O.M Hills Farm – Clifton Palace.

Hills farm over 50’s vets travelled to the lawless depths of the Eastern Bloc of Sussex to play the Maresfield over 50’s in what has become an annual event. The usual glorious sunshine that this fixture enjoys shone on an impressive pitch and both teams were full of good spirit and Murph full of yesterday’s ale as kick off approached. Hills Farm attacked with gusto from the off and seemed to be in full control but shipped an early goal as a goalmouth scramble resulted in a failure to clear ending in a close range goal for the home side. Hills Farm took up the game again and were finding lots of space outside the opposition box without finding the final ball needed to score the equaliser. A cross from Liam O’Kelly was met by a looping header from stand-in striker Murph, but the keeper back peddled comfortably to save. Despite the away dominance the home side would have / should have doubled their lead had it not been for a super chocolate starfish save by big Phil Brown who has lost his tan since the heady days of managing Hull. Then, out of nowhere, Big Richie Bramwell decided that the ball wasn’t going out for a throw after all, saving the ref from having to give the 12th foul throw of the game so far, and launched a perfect cross field pass into the path of the alert Liam O’Kelly who controlled the ball with his usual aplomb and slotted past the onrushing keeper. Hills Farm kept up the pressure and a shot from Murph was saved low down to the keepers post. Gareth Jones had a couple of decent efforts and Hills Farm turned the screw. Two glorious chances were shockingly spurned by Treva, the Needles Pelé, who twice looked up, saw his striker in just the right perfect ideal spot for unmissable open goal finishes, realised it was Murph, thought F#ck that, and went for goal himself, with the now all too familiar result. (he missed!)
Half time arrived at 1-1 but it should have been at least 3-1 to the away side! 

The second half kicked off still in bright sunshine and continued in much the same fashion. Michael Byeckerslike, the Koppite from North Yorkshire (FFS ANOTHER one???!) came on for his debut as did Clifton Clifford Clufton, who was to enjoy a dramatic game and and even got a pass from Trev.
Hills Farms back four was looking comfortable now, superbly marshalled by Rasher out of the Beano, and Chris Holmes in the centre while Michael was marauding down the left flank and linking up well with Liam and Murph. Johnny was having a field Day (gerrit?) in the centre mid and working well with Gareth while Nav and Reg were enjoying their runs down the right. Treva did, in fairness, play some lovely balls down the wing to Reg who got in some great crossed to trouble the Maresfield keeper. Finally, after more pressure from Hills Farm, a great attacking move involving Michael, Murph and Johnny saw the ball at Gareths feet in the box and a lovely touch took the big Welshman wide of the keeper before slotting a well-deserved goal.
Some more changes were made and Alan Parker entered the fray along with debutant Karen, who slotted into centre mid. The injury plagued Parker almost had a dream return as a clever flick bamboozled the keeper but unluckily bounced wide of a defenders shin. Then, disaster struck as the away team seemed to nod off and allow an equalising 2nd goal from a fine strike from the Maresfiled attacker. Hills Farm continued to go for it and finally Trev made up for his previous errors in not supplying Murph when the goal was begging, by sliding a low pass in to the 6 yard box that Clifton slid in and met on the volley for a fine goal. 3-2 with about 5 minutes to go but the big ex Charlton striker wasn’t finished yet as Murph rose like a large well fed boozy salmon to flick a pin point header to his feet and the confident striker took it around the keeper to put the game to bed!
The win represented Hills Farms’ 6th win on the trot and showed the strength in depth of the squad, with the auld gits showing the “youngsters” how they can still do it and yet another fine striker uncovered to challenge Gavin and Karim, and Darron as well, and erm, I’m sure there was another one….Nah, its gone..