Hadlow United Vrs Speldhurst Rangers

4th January 2004 (WKSL)

Hadlow kicked of the new year with a tough fixture against Speldhurst.  The first twenty minutes United were outplayed and the pace of the game overtook them, but with some resilient defending, in particular by Goldsmith who was a welcome return from injury, Hadlow held on until they were undone by a set piece at the back post.  That seemed to spark Hadlow into life and they began to battle and got their reward when Webb, who was a constant threat got on the end of a Leach through ball.  United went into the interval 1-1.

The second half started as the first ended and United had their tails up, Wood was a constant barrier at full back and his passing from the back started many of United's best moves throughout the match.  Webb was having a field day and constantly tormented Speldhurst by getting down the flanks.  Excell was presented with a great opportunity after Webb went past two players and pulled an exquisite pass back to the penalty spot but Excell pulled the shot horrendously wide.  Hadlow did make the break through after Webb again attacked down the flank and his cross-cum shot looped in and United had the lead.

Hadlow held out and could have added but in the last fifteen minutes Speldhurst stepped up a gear and a dribble on the edge of Hadlow's area allowed a smart shot to loop over the stranded Miles.  Five minutes later Rangers had the lead after another set piece was headed downwards and despite Miles getting a hand to it, he could only palm it into the corner.  

Not a great start to 2004, but with players returning to form and injuries subsiding, United will look to finish strongly.

Team: Miles, Shimell, Goldsmith, Carlton, Wood, Donnelly, Garside (P.Betts), Harvey, Excell, Leach, Webb (2).