7^th Oct. 2007 GroundHoppers 4 – Charlton Rangers 0

Charlton Rangers have always been a bogie side to Hoppers, Charlton often getting points from these fixtures. Hoppers in a quietly confident after their victory the previous week, all agreed this is a must win game to continue their ambitions for the league and to prepare for their cup game against Peckham Town. With West Beck watching, before our cup game in a couple of weeks, Hoppers saw a lot of the ball through out this game, but gave possession away far too easily. Charlton would break quick but found it difficult to get behind get behind the Hoppers rear guard. Richard Grieg after his second clean sheet in consecutive weeks, would be the thorn in Charltons side, as the searched for their goal. Hoppers build up play continued to improve as the half went on, just woeful final ball or shot would let the performance down.

Manager Paul Patten, was happy with how things improved through out the first half, but felt that a couple of players weren’t giving their all for the team.

Hoppers domination of the game continued in the second, the players all knew it was a matter of time, before they would get the first goal. Stephen Wright received a pass on the edge of the box, drove a decent strike into the far post, which was well save, but predator Matthew Searle was on hand to finish from a tight angle. Substitute Johnstone Brown got the second goal, dusting him self down to convert from the penalty spot. This was the result of a slick passing move involving Stephen Wright, Andrew Huggins and David Rose, Johnstone’s first touch took him past his marker, who brought him down. Substitute Oluka Takan was to get the third, scoring with an overhead kick with his first touch. The scoring was completed with crisp Dan Lloyd-Bennett finish at the far post from a David Rose cross. The were other good chances missed, but three points in the bag.

TEAM: Greig, Eames, Burgess, Patten, Canfield, Huggins, Hinchion(Lloyd-Bennett(1)), Rose, Gadsdon(Brown(1), Wright(Takan(1)), Searle