HOSETECH F.C....1 AFC WALTON....5
AFC Walton Manager Dave Bennett had some real selectionn headaches in the run up to the BLUES first League match in Division 5. With Suspensions, Injuries, Holidays and work commitments all contributing to the mix, he had to delay announcing his starting 11 till just 45 minutes before kick off. Despite this, AFC were straight out of the block, putting the hosts under immediate pressure. It took just 4 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, Bonson controlled the ball before playing Lee Walton up the line, he in turn put over a stunning crossfield pass picking out the run of DANNY BROWN who sprinted past the defender and firing past the hosts keeper. He was instrumental 2 minutes later, another pinging crossfield Lee Walton pass AGAIN pcked out Brown, he took the ball to the by-line before crossing for Wright to slde the ball home, but the Referee pulled play back saying Brown had let the ball go out before the cross.
Hosetech almost gained from this decision, Bonson lost control of the ball and the striker was away, he crossed the ball in, but the shot was fired over. AFC added to the lead on 12 mins, when Lee Walton again, was at the thick of the action, flicking the ball on for BETTNEY to crash the ball past the keeper for 2-0. The visitors were on fire now and soon added to the tally, on 16 mins, the quick thinking Walton took a quick throw to set Lee Wright racing clear down the wing, his first time cross was fired home by BETTNEY with the hosts defence flat footed. AFC should have had a penalty on 18 mins when Wright was tripped in the box, but the pleas were waved away. M.O.T.M LEE WALTON grabbed the goal he richly deserved when a Wright through ball sent him sprinting down the wing, he cut inside his marker, before bending a shot past the keepers desparing dive.
Bettney went close to grabbing his first League hat-trick on 26 mins, latching onto a through ball, he fired just wide when well placed. Furniss came to the visitors rescue just before the half hour, a mistake at the back saw the keeper race to the edge of his area to make a fantastic blocking tackle. A Bettney free kick on 35 mins saw Megyesi flash a header just wide, and another Bettney run and cross on 42 mins ended with Megyesi AGAIN go close, this time he put his shot just over. HALF TIME Hosetech F.C..0 AFC Walton..4
Hosetech had began to get a hold on the game in the last 15 mins of the first half, and had started thye second period in the same vane, it was only stout defending by Higginbottom and Dean Brown, plus saves by Furniss that had kept them out. The visitors defence was breached eventually on 49 mins, when a bad kick out by Furniss was seized upon by the striker who ran through to fire home. The hosts were spurred on and carved out a few chances thenselves as AFC's strong grip started to loosten. Higginbottom made another timely tackle and Furniss did well to tip a fine stinging shot over the bar.
Benny decided to freshen things up on 65 mins, Bonson who had had a tough time being replaced by Whtehead, who was soon into the action will a superb tackle and clearance. Hoseteh were lucky to stay 11 against 11 on 70 mins, Bettney raced clear into the hosts half, before being crudely hacked down by the last man. Cupitt replaced the hard working Steve Miles in midfield on 75 mins, and went close, first with a shot, then getting on the end of a Dean Brown free kick, he sent a looping header agonisingly wide, with the keeper beaten.
The game started to get fewer and fewer chances with Hosetech running out of time to save the game and it fell to BETTNEY to grab his well deserved hat-trick on 86 minutes, he won the ball in midfield before leaving his marker and foxing the keeper with his fine low finish. With a depleated squad it was a great return and Benny was happy to come away with 3 well earned points on the board. FINAL SCORE Hosetech F.C..1 AFC Walton...5
