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Thursday 9th September 2010
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Matches played Saturday 27th February 2010
AFC Hull hit purple patch against Sutton Fields Rangers
Although the all-weather 3G pitches which are dotted around the area are not the most popular of playing surfaces, there is no doubt that they have a major advantage over traditional grass surfaces, in that, as implied by their name, they remain playable irrespective of what adverse weather befalls them, with the exception of heavy snow.
After a relatively good month of fixture completion in the Amateur League, it was a return to the bad old days of wholesale postponements last weekend as heavy rainfall flooded all the local Park and private pitches.
The Lair normally play on the grass pitches at Hull University and were mindful of the deteriorating conditions, and made arrangements for their Premier Division fixture against AFC West Hull to be played in a vacant early slot on the Universities 3G pitch, and this and normal tenants AFC Hull, who were facing Sutton Fields Rangers, were the only games to take place, on what was, ironically –until the sun went down – a pleasant and warm afternoon.
AFC Hull were keen to build on a good result and impressive display in their last outing away at fourth placed SC Electrical, and expected a tough test against Sutton Fields who were league runners up last year, and were on a recent good run of form.
AFC Hull started strongly, passing the ball well and creating good opportunities, the first of which fell to centre back Cory Lee whose jinking run towards goal ended with a powerful effort which went just over the cross bar.
The home side remained in control, moving the ball around purposefully, and were rewarded in the 23rd minute when, after a spell of intense pressure, a Sutton defender inadvertently scored an own goal from very close range as he attempted to clear the ball off the line.
After 30 minutes, young striker Billy Tuttle, who was enjoying his promotion from the Reserves side, nearly doubled Hull’s advantage when he met a quick cross, but was thwarted by good defending.
Five minutes later, prolific AFC Hull front man Nathan Nuttall broke clear from 40 yards out, and bore down on goal only to see his first effort parried by the keeper, but he was alert enough to ensure the rebound was despatched into the empty net.
On 37 minutes Nuttall doubled his afternoon’s tally by capitalising on a swift break; cutting inside from 25 yards out he unleashed an unstoppable drive that left the keeper helpless.
A few minutes before the break, AFC Hull’s other Nathan - powerful striker Nathan Nicol - who was giving his marker down the right touchline a torrid time, was rewarded for his hard work by grabbing a goal for himself - connecting with a low cross just yards out.
Moments later, Nuttall turned provider and his cross allowed fellow striker Billy Tuttle to tap the ball into the net from two yards, as everything AFC Hull did seemed to turn into ‘goaled’!
In almost a carbon copy of the last goal, in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Nathan Nuttall again supplied a pin point cross and midfielder Sean McFaul knocked the ball in from a few yards out to make the halftime score a remarkable 6-0.
At half time Hull player manager Ricky Jagger made way for young midfielder Luke James to make his first team debut.
Sutton Field embarked on a damage limitation exercise, seemingly determined to make amends for their dismal first half performance and undoubtedly intent on making the second half more even.
There were few clear-cut chances in the second stanza, though Nathan Nuttall nearly completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes with a curving dipping effort that went narrowly wide of the upright.
AFC Hull keeper Craig Lindley, who was largely a by-stander in the first half, was called on for some good saves in the second half as Sutton pushed for a consolation goal.
Sutton Fields Rangers did achieve a consolation goal, but had to wait until added time (94th minute) when a defensive lapse by Ashley Smith allowed the Sutton striker through to grab a goal.
The Lair’s efforts in getting there game on looked likely to be rewarded when goals from Paul Matchett and Louis Overton earned them a 2 goal lead, but a response before the interval by AFC West Hull by Lewis Hoy left the game in the balance.
Early in the second period, West Hull levelled the scores when Scott Wakelin’s deft chip beat Lair keeper Jonathon Watts, and for a while West Hull looked likely to complete a successful comeback, but gradually The Lair weathered the fightback and an end to end final quarter could not divide the teams, who probably felt that shared points was the most acceptable result.
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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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