Hedgerley FC faced off against Micklefield Sports Football Club First in a cup match at Farnham Park Playing Fields on 6th October 2024, with kick-off at 10:30 am. The home side delivered a commanding performance, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory over their opponents.
Hedgerley FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while also providing ample support for their attacking players. Rory Scott took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Jack Butler and Chris Smith as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Jack Wright and Chris Randall forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Adam Butler and Alex Mitchell operated as central midfielders, tasked with both defensive duties and facilitating attacks. The attacking trio featured Brandon Wallis on the right, Lewis Scott on the left, and Oliver Cottrill in the central attacking midfield role, with Brandon Belmar leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for Hedgerley FC included Tyrese Weekes, Ollie Mulvihill, and Alex Weatherby, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The scoring opened in the 26th minute when Jack Wright found the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from Lewis Scott. This early goal set the tone for Hedgerley's dominance as they took a 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later, in the 30th minute, Hedgerley made their first substitution, bringing on Tyrese Weekes for Brandon Wallis.
As the first half drew to a close, Hedgerley maintained their pressure, and at the interval, they held a well-deserved 1-0 advantage. The second half commenced with two substitutions for Hedgerley, as Ollie Mulvihill replaced Jack Butler and Alex Weatherby came on for Lewis Scott, both changes aimed at bolstering the team's attacking options.
The second half saw Hedgerley continue their assault on the Micklefield goal. Just four minutes after the restart, in the 49th minute, Alex Weatherby scored, assisted by Adam Butler, doubling the lead to 2-0. The momentum shifted further in Hedgerley's favour when Weatherby struck again in the 55th minute, this time with Oliver Cottrill providing the assist, extending the lead to 3-0.
Hedgerley FC's dominance was evident, and in the 72nd minute, Adam Butler added his name to the scoresheet with a stunning direct free-kick, assisted by Oliver Cottrill, making it 4-0. The home side continued to make tactical adjustments, with Brandon Wallis returning to the pitch in place of Brandon Belmar in the 73rd minute.
Further substitutions followed, as Jack Butler came on for Chris Smith in the 75th minute, and Lewis Scott replaced Alex Mitchell in the 78th minute, ensuring fresh legs were on the field as the match approached its conclusion.
Despite the changes, Hedgerley maintained their control of the game, comfortably seeing out the remainder of the match to secure a resounding 4-0 victory over Micklefield Sports. The performance showcased Hedgerley's attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation, setting them up for future challenges in the cup competition.
