Hedgerley FC delivered a stunning performance at Farnham Park Playing Fields on 20 October 2024, overwhelming AFC Reading Sunday with an emphatic 8-0 victory in their cup match. The game kicked off at 10:30 am, and it quickly became evident that Hedgerley were in formidable form, dominating both possession and chances throughout the encounter.
Hedgerley FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking play. Chris Randall took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Jack Butler and Chris Smith as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Jack Wright and Charlie Parkin forming the central defensive partnership. In front of them, Oliver Cottrill and Alex Weatherby operated as central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking defence to attack. The attacking trio featured Brandon Belmar on the right, Tyrese Weekes on the left, and Brandon Wallis in the central attacking midfield role, supporting lone striker Conor Henry.
The substitutes for Hedgerley FC included Lewis Linley, Lewis Scott, Bradley Oxbrow, Liam Neale, and John Lobo, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The scoring opened in the 13th minute when Conor Henry found the net from close range, assisted by Tyrese Weekes, who showcased his ability to create opportunities. This early goal set the tone for the match, as Hedgerley continued to press forward, demonstrating their attacking prowess.
As the first half progressed, Hedgerley maintained their dominance, and in the 29th minute, they made their first substitution, bringing on Lewis Linley for Brandon Belmar. Just a minute later, Lewis Scott replaced Brandon Wallis, further freshening up the attacking options.
The first half concluded with Hedgerley leading 1-0, but they were far from finished. Just as the second half commenced, Lewis Linley made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning long-range strike in the 45th minute, again assisted by Tyrese Weekes. This goal not only doubled the lead but also invigorated the home side.
The onslaught continued as Tyrese Weekes himself got on the scoresheet in the 50th minute, showcasing his skill and determination. Just a minute later, Alex Weatherby added to the tally, converting a chance set up by Oliver Cottrill, further extending Hedgerley's lead to 4-0.
In the 60th minute, Lewis Linley struck again, netting his second goal of the match with another assist from Tyrese Weekes, who was proving to be a constant threat down the left flank. The substitutions made earlier were beginning to pay dividends as the fresh legs continued to push the pace of the game.
The 65th minute saw Lewis Scott score his first goal of the match, assisted by Conor Henry, who was instrumental in the build-up play. With the score now at 6-0, Hedgerley showed no signs of slowing down.
In the 71st minute, further changes were made as Brandon Belmar returned to the pitch, replacing Conor Henry, while Brandon Wallis came on for Alex Weatherby. The substitutions did not disrupt the flow of the game, as Liam Neale scored shortly after, in the 72nd minute, with an assist from Brandon Belmar, making it 7-0.
The final goal of the match came in the 75th minute when Lewis Linley completed his hat-trick, with Brandon Wallis providing the assist. This remarkable performance capped off an extraordinary day for Hedgerley FC, who had showcased their attacking flair and defensive solidity throughout the match.
As the game drew to a close, further substitutions were made, with John Lobo coming on for Chris Smith in the 78th minute, and Conor Henry returning to the pitch for Lewis Linley in the 82nd minute. However, the scoreline remained unchanged, and Hedgerley FC celebrated a resounding 8-0 victory, a testament to their dominance and teamwork on the day.
