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Sunday 5th September 2010
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Matches played Saturday 10th January 2009
Another grim day as frost decimates fixture list....but AFC Hull crack on!
Dangerous playing surfaces caused by a few nights continuous hard frosts meant that games scheduled to take place in the Amateur League were once again decimated, though there can be little doubt that postponements were a preferred option to potential injuries resulting from the Arctic weather, and rutted sections of pitches.
It seems that, inevitably, there are always some brave souls who are prepared to risk life and limb to play their games, and four games did take place, but, yet again, only one pitch was never in doubt, at AFC Hull’s all weather surface at Hull University.
Love or loathe the artificial playing surfaces, the fact is that games are always played, and the advantage gained from keeping playing is evident from AFC Hull’s runaway lead at the top of the Division 1 table.
Although the game at the University was not in doubt from the weather, the necessity to start the game at noon, did put a question mark over the game taking place as opposition AFC Preston 2nd had problems re-arranging work shifts, but eventually they succeeded in amassing sufficient players to be able to play the fixture, but were lacking a regular keeper, and this cost them dearly in the final analysis.
AFC Hull were not without problems of their own, going into the game with striker Tony Tummon missing, and were hit with a further late change when full back Louis Clark withdrew through injury, but crucially, keeper Craig Lindley was able to return after a week’s suspension.
Midfielder Sean McFaul slipped into the gap created by Clark, while other more minor casualties, Damon Brooks (groin strain) and Callum Harrison (virus) were included on the bench.
The game started in the sub zero temperatures and biting winds which were sweeping the country.
AFC Preston wanted to avenge the home defeat they suffered at the hands of AFC Hull, and started strongly, forcing the home team onto the back foot and the pressure and difficult conditions denied AFC Hull the opportunity to get their normally fluid passing game going.
Clear chances for either team were scarce in the opening 15 minutes, though one clear opportunity fell to AFC Hull’s unmarked Mark Friston who received the ball eight 8yards out, perhaps with too much time, as he attempted a cheeky chip over the static keeper, but it fell easily for the keeper Aaron Rowley to leap up and catch.
After twenty minutes AFC Hull striker Nathan Nicol made a strong run down the wing, cut in and blasted in a low drive but was unlucky to see his shot just hit the side netting.
Another break two minutes later saw right winger Rio Buckley finding himself in a central position 30 yards out, and he unleashed a shot that sailed high above keeper Rowley and into the net to give Hull the lead.
The lead was short lived, as Preston who were still very much in contention, and always posed a threat from set pieces, scored from an in swinging corner with a close range header from Lewis Peterson.
The equilibrium only lasted a minute, as Rio Buckley surprised everyone when he chased a ball which had been hit high over the Preston defence, and looked destined for the advancing keeper, but showing lightening pace, he arrived before keeper Rowley and he leapt to head the bouncing ball over the custodian and into the empty net.
The game then settled down, with AFC Hull dominating the possession and creating chances, but with no further score before the half-time break.
AFC Hull introduced substitutes Harrison and Brooks at the break, and the game resumed as a largely midfield battle, but the game went badly wrong for Preston in the 57th minute.
The interval had also seen Preston switch keepers, new signing Mike Hill taking over and when Hull’s Callum Harrison sent a long ball forward, the ball skipped past everyone, and was being chased by Hull attackers, but the new keeper was odds on favourite to clear, but was caught in two minds as he approached the edge of his box, and remarkably stood aside and allowed the ball to go past him, and trickle into the net – effectively conceding a goal from 70 yards!
Three minutes after this a quick Preston break forced Lindley make a wonderful, and effectively match changing save from an angled drive from only 8 yard out.
It became apparent that Preston’s replacement keeper was reasonably effective as a shot stopper, but was not conversant with the rules as to when a keeper can and cannot handle the ball, and for a while his side were at sixes and sevens, and AFC Hull took full advantage.
On 67 minutes Mark Friston was sent clear, and cutting in, was one on one with the keeper and slotted home low from just inside the box, and five minutes later, in almost a carbon copy of his first goal, found his way onto a bouncing through ball and again, in another one on one situation at the corner of the box, lobbed the ball over the keeper.
The match had slipped away from Preston, but they continued to give as good as they got and scored a well worked goal on 81 minutes and almost gave themselves a lifeline with another success on 86 minutes, but in pushing up again were caught out – as AFC Hull pulled up their socks - and Sam Nicholson scored after Rio Buckley held play up well on the edge of the six yard area before laying the ball to Nicholson who blasted it into the net from an acute angle.
Rio Buckley and Nicholson combined again with Buckley crossing for Nicholson to volley home his second goal from 10yrds in the last minute.
The final outcome of the game was probably correct, but the final margin did not reflect the close contest that had taken place.
Geoff Wednesday were unsure as to whether their game against Pinefleet Wolfreton Tigers would get the go-ahead at Cottingham, and having waited for a pitch inspection, the nets were only put up 15 minutes prior to kick off, leaving no time for a warm up, and in their first attack of the game Wednesday lost a player with a pulled groin.
Worse was to follow as a ‘Paul Robinson-type’ bobble saw keeper John Hawkes miss a back pass, then followed a headed own goal, then a massive deflection off a defenders ankle, plus a poor sliced clearance for a Pinefleet player to tap in - creating a four goal deficit, and all before a ‘proper’ goal was conceded!!
The second half was much the same, the only thing Wednesday did not give Pinefleet was a new club record score - they needed one more! For the record, Paul Routledge was Pinefleet’s tormentor in chief, bagging four goals.
The Duke of Wellington game against AFC West Hull B was given the go-ahead at Pickering Park, and though the game was completed in favour of West Hull B, the win came at a price as injuries sustained will see players unavailable for a few weeks.
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Match Reports
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24th April 2010
17th April 2010
10th April 2010
3rd April 2010
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