Premier Division
Hanwell Town 1 Hillingdon Borough 0
Tuesday, 28 December 2004
A single second-half goal was all that separated these 2 teams, in a match that could have gone either way. Hanwell sitting joint top of the league and Boro mid-table, played out a fast and furious Bank holiday feast that certainly blew away the Christmas blues.
Both Keepers kept their respective teams in the game, with Gary White making 4 superb saves and Town's own keeper replying with 3 of his own.
The first half had Boro dominating the first 10 minutes and could have gone 2 up had they converted the chances coming their way. Hanwell however had other ideas and using the electric pace of left wing STROKA they hit Hillingdon continuously on the counter-attack. No score at half time was somewhat surprising as on another day it could well have been 3-3.
Hanwell certainly came out for the second half much the brighter of the 2 teams. Again, nearly all of the constructive work was via the left wing. Boro's defenders had a torrid time, but just when it seemed they had overcome the threat, STROKA'a right footed 55th minute shot, forced WHITE into yet another fine save; this time the rebound fell at the feet of Town's Chris Ferdinhand, who slotted home from 6 yards.
Another save from Gary White, at the feet of Ricky Pither, galvanised Boro into their best period of the half. Several goal scoring opportunities were created, but the finishing touch could not be applied. With the clock ticking, Hillingdon had a loud and justified appeal for a penalty waved away, when Blaise O'Brien was upended in the box.
Finally, in extra time Hillingdon almost snatched the draw when a rasping 30 yard shot by Ryan Fenton was acrobatically saved and seconds later a header from Alan Crosby went agonisingly over the crossbar.
On reflection, Hanwell just about deserved the win, but this game shows that there really is not too much between the top and mid-table teams, in this season's Premier League.
Team: GK: G.White, C.Hibbs, R.Fenton, M.Kidson , A.O'Grady, J.Moran D.Lawrence, S.O'Brien, A.Crosby, B.O'Brien (A.Gaye), D.Bennell (J.Busby) |
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