HBO FC Veterans Men's Football Team Match Reports 2010-2011
Veterans First Match Sunday October 3rd 1:30pm Hatfield Heath 8 Hatfield Broad Oak 4
On a wet Sunday afternoon 11 former young men from Hatfield Broad Oak and two friends took on their old friends and rivals Hatfield Heath on a water logged pitch. There was a twist before the game as our Ian Das realised his brother was going to playing for the opposition. He informed the rest of us his brother had previously played for Harlow Town and Saffron Walden.
The game started well with no immediate goals but 10 minutes Hatfield Heath took the lead. Keeping their heads high HBO FC regrouped and kept their shape. The first job was to not let things fall apart which was achieved and more as we equalised, playing well for a new team. The game was evenly balanced ebbing and flowing back and forth. Then it was the stuff of dreams as HBO FC scored next to take the lead. For next 10 minutes we showed there was enough about this team who had only trained together 4 times to compete.
The Heath dug deep and equalised. With 5 minutes to go the superior fitness of the Heath told and they took the lead of what was a close half. The final kick of the half took the score to 4 -2 after a thoroughly respectable performance from HBO which was held together by the goalkeeper Steve Coombs who despite a clattering early challenge made repetitive saves and interceptions.
An early goal for Hatfield Heath in the second was quickly followed by another. Yet the HBO team still carried on trying to find the energy to keep their shape. With another goal for the Heath surely heads would drop no in a team that hardly knew one another but this was not the case as Broad Oak responded with two more goals. Both sides were realising that 90 minutes of 11-aside football was something of shock to the bodies. There was time for one more from the Heath.
The final score line of 8-4 was fair result with a very good first performance from our team. We kept Hatfield Heath, a good team with players that have played together for years from scoring double figures. We scored 2 goals in each half. During the game our Das scored 2 and their Das had shown us a glimpse of his class in scoring a hat trick for the Heath. Our other 2 goals were both scored by John Newcombe.
Thank you to all the families and friends, and Leigh Trevitt who came to support us and encourage us. From this game there are many positives to take with us not least the germination of team has happened. Most importantly we all had fun. It is onwards and upwards for HBO FC to the next game after this historic first match.
Post-match both teams enjoyed camaraderie and a drink at the White Horse, where a rematch was agreed for December. The HBO team headed back to our sponsors The Cock Inn for jubilant tales of our exploits despite the certain knowledge the aches would only get worse over the next few days. We were welcomed warmly by all eager for news. There the man of the match goalkeeper Steve Coombs was awarded a bottle of wine from our generous sponsors.
The starting line-up, (which soon changed due to rolling substitutions in
veteran’s football)
Steve Coombs
Andy Coslett, Mark Strutt, Paul Beauchamp, Steve Nancarrow
John Newcombe, Luke Chapman, Simon Marshall, Roger Cattermole
Ian Das, Carl Sanderson
Rolling Subs
Vic Tehran, Spencer Godfrey
Veterans Second Match Sunday November 20th 2:00pm Elsenham 3 Hatfield Broad Oak 3
Sixteen players took part in our second match including a debut from one our founding members Leigh Trevitt. HBO dominated the first half despite squandering numerous chances took the lead with a goal from Carl. Elsenham though came and they went into half time 2 :1 up.
Second half we swapped keepers. We still kept missing our chances but Carl eventually put another away to make it 2:2. Elsenham were not finished and yet again against the run of play took the lead 3:2. The manager switched formations to go with 3 up front and 3 in the midfield in attempt to chase a victory. Carl managed to take another one of his many chances and complete his hat trick. HBO were on a role and finishing strongly when the ref blew up. The final score of 3:3 was a huge improvement and matched by the all-round performance of the team. We may have missed loads of chances but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the game. The ref played his role well doing a superb job of handling the friendly just right. Our newly made friends at Elsenham invited us back for an immediate rematch.
HBO FC Veterans starting line-up, ( changed due to rolling substitutions
in veteran’s football)
Mark Haddon
Andy Coslett, Mark Strutt, Paul Beauchamp, Steve Nancarrow
John Newcombe, Luke Chapman, Simon Marshall, Carl Sanderson
Ian Das, David Milne
Rolling Subs
Nick Blackham-Hayward, Phil Sullivan, Leight Trevitt, Stephen Turner, Kevin
Williams-Taylor
Match 11th December 2010ELSENHAM 1 - HBO VETERANS 4
On Saturday 11th December Hatfield Broad Oak FC Veterans chalked up their first win under the leadership of tactically aware manager Simon Marshall. ( Marshy)
Following a draw against Elsenham in November, both teams set about their task with determination to take the honours on this occasion.
With a change of tactics and a 4 - 3 - 3 formation the midfield had to work hard in heavy conditions but with a sturdy defence sitting in behind them the team co-ordinated well. They moved the ball around the pitch and dominated early possession before slipping the ball through to Luke Chapman who convincingly netted the first goal of the match with a looping shot using the outside of his foot..
Elsenham fought back determined not to roll over and in doing so slightly over committed themselves going forward. HBO set on the counter attack with a long and searching ball finding Carl Sanderson on the left who brushed the defender aside before picking out Leigh Trevitt at the far post who scored putting HBO 2 goals ahead of the home team.
A determined Elsenham fought back occasionally testing HBO Keeper Mark Haddon who had a fantastic game between the sticks but deservingly Elsenham finally slipped one past him to claw a goal back.
As the pitch got heavier, so the going got harder but HBO dug in shutting the opposition down and committing themselves to tackles that Spurs legend Dave Mackay would be proud of. As HBOs defence mopped up Elsenham’s attacks they slipped the ball into midfield who in turn sent the forwards on their way on a number of occasions only to be penalised for some questionable offside’s, one of which ruled out a debut goal for David Barrington.
The forwards worked hard to support midfield and they got their just rewards when pin point passing split Elsenhams defence before an energetic David Milne made it 3 for HBO.
Not content with a two goal margin the clubs highest scorer Carl Sanderson was right on his game and scored our final goal.
HBO almost hit 5 when a searching run saw HBO awarded a penalty. A confident Ian Das put his foot through the ball to make it rise from a heavily laden penalty spot and the ball screamed agonisingly above the crossbar.
In the last fifteen minutes Elsenham pushed on but stumbled time and time again at the feet of Man of the Match defender Paul Beauchamp who cleared the ball with aplomb.
In summary, a remarkable win in only our 3rd game. With astro turf training every Monday from January 10th onwards we look forward to extending our numbers beyond the pool of 20 players that have already proudly pulled on the New HBO FC Shirt provided by our sponsors Caron and Terry at The Cock Inn.
Players: David Barrington, Paul Beauchamp, Luke Chapman, Andy Cosslett, Ian Das, Mark Haddon, Simon Marshall, David Milne, Geoff Romaine, Martin Sallows, Carl Sanderson, Mark Strutt and Leigh Trevitt.