4^th Nov. 2007 GroundHoppers 6 – Welling All Stars 3

Hoppers open their defence of the Bill Braisted Memorial Trophy with a game against Welling All Stars, similar to Hoppers, came out of the Bexley league in the same year to play senior football.

A summary of the goals are:

Oluka Takan bravely went up for a header, between two defenders, his knock down to Stephen Wright, who passed to Matthew Searle, who with his first touch lifted ball over the stranded keeper with a delicate touch. Oluka Takan quoted “Three strikers working together fantastically.”

The ball bounced in between the centre circle and the penalty area, unfortunately for the Welling, Andrew Huggins in a rich vain of form, hit a kung fu scissor kick, back across the goalkeeper, into the top left hand corner.

An Andrew Huggins swung in a cross from the right hand flank. The ball just cleared Stephen Wright; it hit a Welling defender, which took the ball back towards Stephen. The ball came off Stephen and finished in the back of the net. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. J

An in-swinging Sean Hinchion corner found Andrew Huggins at the far post. His headed effort was cleared off the line, he pounced on the rebound, but his effort was again blocked, the ball again fell to Andrew, who showed Fabregas composure, to make sure of his third effort and his second goal of the game.

Andrew seeking his first hat-trick of the season, drove down the right flank, as he cut inside, he unleashed the fury, which Welling tried to stop, but could only steer into the net. Andrew team mates, claim it should be forwarded to the dubious goals committee for a decision. The verdict, an Andrew Huggins hat-trick.

Sean Hinchion, laid on the sixth goal, his long throw, fell nicely for Vinny Kenneth, who forced his tiring legs pasted two defenders before neatly slotting the ball home.

A word should be said about Welling, who worked tirelessly, throughout the game. They equalised twice and took a three two lead, scoring three well worked and taken goals, with only fifteen minutes on the clock. But Hoppers, who posed the greater threat in front of goal, changed their formation which gave them the width they were missing earlier in the game and the rest they say is history.

TEAM: Greig, Eames(Gadsdon), Canfield, Bateman, Patten, Huggins(3), Hinchion, Kenneth(1), Searle(1), Wright(1), Takan