Final match day of the season, At home, in the sun looking to build on last weeks win!

The boys were brilliant last week and came into todays match looking to build on it and finish the season with back to back wins.

Setting up with the same line up from last week - Oliver in Net, Charlie, Toby, Ethan and Dean filling out the back line. Lewis G, Stan, Cam and Kieron in the middle while Stephen and Sam finished the line up. Freddie O and Lewis B took the spots on the subs bench.

The boys knew that they would have to start strong and get off to a good start as HPC were fighting for their status in Div 2 know that if they lost today they would be relegated. This didn't phase our boys and they were on it from the first whistle, pushing and pressing HPC into mistakes while also taking the game to them.

Sam came close to opening the scoring with a great run in behind and hitting a great shot towards goal but the HPC goalie was up to the challenge and just tipped it round the post. From the resulting corner, It was recycled out to Lewis G who played it back to Charlie. Charlie whipped in a brilliant cross that Stephen met in the air and looped his header just under the bar only for the keeper to tip it over!

The boys were playing some really good, fast paced football and were working well across the pitch, and much like last week, the hard work and intensity paid off for the first goal.

We took the lead with just over 10 minutes gone after some good work down the left set Kieron free before beating his man and sending a cross into the path of Sam. Sam took the ball on the run and beat 2 players before reaching the byline and sending a cross flashing to the back post that was met by the waiting Lewis G for a brilliant, calm finish into the back of the net. Lewis's first goal for the team and well taken! 1-0

From here the boys were solid across the back with Toby, Ethan and Oliver reducing HPC to few chances. Dean and Charlie were both overlapping and giving Kieron and Lewis the support down each wing and we were unlucky not to increase the lead.

After 20 Sam and Lewis G were replaced by Freddie O and Lewis B and both looked to get involved right away.

The boys continued to keep HPC limited to few touches and chances while controlling the ball the majority of the half until the last few minutes where HPC got a corner and Oliver reacted fastest to pull off a great save in the bottom corner.

HT - TD - 1 - HPC - 1

At the half the boys knew that we were on top in the game and needed to take our chances to increase the lead before seeing out the game. Stephen and Kieron came off for Lewis G and Sam to start the half.

We needed to start the half fast and assert the dominance we had been in the first half. It worked and we scored with less than 2 minutes gone in the half. Winning the ball back from the keepers kick, Ethan sent the ball into the midfield and CAM/STAN (Will replace once i know who) picked up the ball and sent a lovely through ball into the path of Lewis B to run onto. Lewis B took the ball in his stride before finishing with precision into the far corner for 2-0.

The boys were keen to keep the foot on the gas however HPC knew that they had to get back into the game to give themselves a chance for survival. This meant they started to go long and push the back line back however the boys defended well with Ethan sweeping, Toby winning nearly everything in the air while Charlie and Dean were locking up their wingers.

HPC got back into the game with a goal not long after 55 minutes after a mix up down the left and a long ball set the LW free one on one with Oliver and he slotted it past for 2-1.

After this Stephen and Kieron came back on for Freddie and Lewis B while Lewis G moved back over to the right.

We continued to push for another goal and were really unlucky not to score again after Sam and Stephen came close with the keeper pulling off two fantastic saves!

Stan had to come off after being caught in the jaw with an elbow so Lewis B came back into the middle and with just over 10 left, Charlie got caught late and had to come off meaning another shuffle with Lewis B dropping in at RB and Freddie O coming in and Sam dropping into CM.

The boys were defending well while creating chances and looking to see the game out however a hard landing for Cam meant Stan had to come back on while still feeling the effects of the elbow.

The defence stood strong and sent the ball out for Stephen to see down the final few seconds in the corner.

FT - TD - 2 - HPC - 1

A win to see off the season and on the day deserved by our boys. It’s been a topsy turvy season with some great performances and some not so great but these boys should be proud. They have been through a lot with changes, players, friends and coaches leaving and matches not going their way when they deserved it. We are so proud of them and look forward to celebrating them at the end of season awards.

A massive thank you to the boys who stuck it out this season and turned up week in, week out.

A massive thank you to the parents and supporters who turned up no matter the weather, distance or time to make sure we had a team to put out and cheered them on from first whistle to the last.

A huge thank you to Abi who stepped in to record all the matches we were allowed too and helping out with everything safeguarding.

A big thank you to all the volunteers this season who helped running the line and setting up the pitches. Without you we would struggle!

A big thank you to Nigel for managing the boys this season.

Motm- Ethan P - in our final game, Ethan put in another great performance, sweeping up, tackling and building the play out from the back. Well done mate!