Match Report – HFLFC v Goring Rangers

Worthing & Horsham District Sunday League – Vets Division Sunday 15th April 2018 – Steyning FC

Hills Farm Lane Vets  4 (2) – Goring Rangers Vets 0 (0)

Manager – Mark Murphy

Hills Farm Lane duly wrapped up an historic first ever League Title on a perfect morning when all the stars in Gods great blue heaven aligned to set up a resounding victory over the only team who could possibly catch us. Although a tougher game than the score-line suggests, Hills Farm did actually create enough chances to score more than the 4 recorded and with home keeper Fergy only troubled twice with shots on goal the solid defensive unit of Lordy, Tommy, Sean & Richy showed once again how lucky we are to have a strong and reliable backbone! The starting midfield of Grubby and Tomek out wide on the wings, and Liam Kelly and Rob Flynn in the middle drove the Rangers back and linked up well with the twin strike force of Karim and Gavlar. Some of the wing play was scintillating and in the second half would prove devastating.

An early goal, created by Tomek with a through ball to Karim who took his time, slalomed through the defence and calmly slotted low by the near post settled Hills Farm nerves and a second goal, buried on the volley by Rob from a sumptuous cross from Grubby, gave us a welcome cushion and allowed the football to flow. Rob almost put it beyond doubt on the half time whistle but went for the Rugby conversion rather than under the post and it was still very much game on.

Murph made just two changes at half time with Mark Etheridge coming on to allow the excellent Richie a well earned rest, and Big D Darron coming on up top for goal hero Karim. A nervous first ten minutes passed as Rangers came out fighting but without any real chances on the Farm goal and then Hills Farm took control of the game and began to dictate again. A superb third goal thumped in by the head of Big D from a great cross by Tomek put the game beyond doubt and more great wing play from Grubby, this time down the right, resulted in a pull back from the line to Big D who gleefully slotted for the fourth. Murph rang the changes and entered the fray with Gareth Jones and Matt Dormer joining the party and Karim returning up front with Darron. With the game won, Hills Farm began to enjoy their football and put some lovely moves together including great link up play down the left with Sean and Mark E releasing Murph out wide. A chipped ball over the right backs head gave Big D the chance of his hat trick but this time the big fella couldn’t find the finish. Its to Gorings credit that they battled to the end and strong resistance from Gareth and Matt was needed, and both took one for the team, Gareth actually taking a yellow card as Rangers would have broken through. In the end though, all those Tuesday nights training on the 3G pitch at The Holbrook Club proved sooo valuable as Hills Farm enjoyed a true playing surface for the first time since the early romps in September. The final whistle came all too early as everyone was loving this but when it came it was greeted with cheers and grins and arms held aloft in triumph! Everyone in the team had played their part to perfection and the vociferous travelling support added to the occasion.

The only slight negative is that not everyone in the squad was able to play in this match but they all played their part in the early season victories that set this up! Its a shame to single any one out for special praise but as manager of the team, whilst I’m equally proud of all of them, I would personally like to put on record that Captain Fantastic Tommy Burnside was abso-fecking-lutely amazing!