Haddenham United Vs Stewkley
Oving Village Cup Semi-Final
19th March 2011
Haddenham Utd faced high flying North Bucks Premier side Stewkley in the semi-final of the Oving Village Cup. With a couple of key players missing and Stewkley in the top three in their league this was always going to be a good test for the Haddenham squad.
Stewkley had the better of the opening exchanges with Haddenham’s changed line up struggling to get their passing together. Despite dominating possession Stewkley didn’t create any goal scoring opportunities. That was until with 15 minutes gone Haddenham’s Achilles heel, the long ball, struck again.
A long clearance from the keeper was allowed to bounce with neither Wardy nor Satchi taking responsibility to clear it. The number 9 nipped between them, and with keeper Morris hesitating, clipped the ball off his shin and over Morris’s head. He then finished off the ‘move’ by running round Morris before deftly played a one – two with the post before neatly finishing with his shin.
The goal seemed to act as a wakeup call for Haddenham who immediately went on the offensive with Cain White in particular causing Stewkley all sorts of problems with his pace and tenacity.
The pressure was mounting and after 25 minutes Haddenham had a good claim for a penalty waved away by the referee. Haddenham were on the ascendancy now and on the half hour mark they got their reward.
The ball was passed up the left to the irrepressible White who fed it inside to Rowley. Surging past his marker he fed the ball to the right to Tom Leathers who had made a superb overlapping run from midfield. As he bore down on goal the spectators held their breaths as there was an equal chance of this going in the goal or nestling in the trees behind the goal.
Leathers didn’t disappoint, delivering his annual goal with style by drilling it beyond the keeper into the bottom left of the goal.
The second half started in much the same way as the first with Stewkley having the upper hand and Haddenham working hard but not really firing. With 10 minutes gone the big number 9 struck again.
A Stewkley attack down the left produced a cross whipped into the near post 12 yards from goal. Managing to get in front of his marker the centre forward brilliantly headed home with his ear via the crossbar.
Again this prompted Haddenham to up their game and they started to have more of the game. Unfortunately the Stewkley keeper was up to the challenge producing a string of saves to keep Haddenham at bay.
The final chance of the game featured great linkup play between youngsters Brady Natale and Andrew Lambie which put Jake Rea through on goal. Sadly the volley fell to his little used right foot and though he made a good connection it was directed straight at the grateful keeper.
The final score of 2 -1 was a little harsh on Haddenham bringing to an end their run in this prestigious cup. However the performance of the team in general and the home grown youngsters in particular gives great optimism for next years challenge.