Hadlow United Vrs Whitehill Tavern

2nd November 2003 (WKSLJT)

A hugely disappointing game for Hadlow in more ways than one.  With appalling weather conditions United came up against one of the most potent strike forces in the division five and a good contest was expected until Betts went over his ankle in a challenge and limped out of action after just ten minutes. With Walsh suspended player manager Cook who was suffering heavily from flu dropped into the back line.  Soon after Wood was harshly adjudged to bring down their winger in the box and the spot kick was smashed down the middle that Miles had vacated with his dive.  Shortly after United received a similarly generous penalty and Webb tucked it away.

Tavern went ahead again but just before half time United equalised through Rob Harvey.

With the wind against United they were really up against it in the second half but when Muir fed Webb, his lightening pace took him past three defenders before his perfect cross was turned in by an on rushing defender.

Tavern did level and the game faded from United.

As Cook tired he replaced himself with Smith-Foreman and Goldsmith stepped into the back line and the first action he saw as a defender was a quickly taken freekick and a shot hammered into the net.

Tavern's fifth was with the last kick of the game from a corner.  The result was a poor reflection on the battle that United played with and the scoreline flattered Tavern.  The only good news was scans later revealed Betts had not broken his leg, but there was a small chip in ankle bone and a bad sprain but thankfully no ligament damage and he expects to resume training in 3-4 weeks time.

Team: Miles, Shimell, M.Betts (Cook)(Smith-Foreman), Carlton, Wood, Harvey (1), Muir,  Leach, Excell, Goldsmith, Webb (1p)