Finny has the Final say as united scrape through.
H.G united made four changes to the squad that beat Mosley last week, with manager Wright stepping aside for Boyd, Boon back between the sticks, Browning slotted back into midfield and fit again Blake replacing the absent Butterly up front.
The home side won the toss and decided to swap ends, hoping that the sun would help them in there quest, but it did not play dividends as united had Warwick on the back foot from the whistle... The speed of Boyd and the strength of Blake almost paid off when Boyd was sent one on one with the keeper after five minutes only for Boyd to see his shot roll the wrong side of the post.
H.g. kept pressing with some good work from both flanks but just couldn't get the break through they needed.. Browning was released by Finny and was adjudged to have been fouled in the area but the ref had none of it as the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
The game became a bit more open and with Warwick starting to get a foot hold on the game H.g. needed some inspiration and that came in the form of a goal.. The ball was cleared for a throw after some good work from knight down the right hand side.. Blake came across for one of his trade mark throws and with the Warwick defence unable to get rid, the ball fell to Browning 10 yards out who neatly turned and saw his shot deflect past the keeper and into the net!! 1-0
This really lifted H.G. and they again took control of the game with Browning bossing the midfield and Knight looking dangerous cutting in from wide it was only a matter of time before they doubled the lead.
The second goal came after a quick break down the left hand side, Tommy and Finny linked well and with Browning dragging the midfielder wide he allowed Finny to cut in and play a lovely ball to Boyd on the edge of the "d" Boyd looked up and spotted the run from Knight through the middle he played a inch perfect pass into the feet of Tom and with the defender loosing balance Tom coolly slotted the ball home!! 2-0
With the Sun shining and the temperature rising, United took the foot of the gas a little and with a few dodgy ref decisions and a few late tackles started to lose their patience, With Warwick resulting to the high ball over the top the United defence really started to feel the heat when Big Sean took a knock and whilst trying to shake it off Warwick Broke but man of the match Chris Eldridge was equal to anything and coolly cleared his lines.
But H.g. were soon again on the back foot and with Sean still suffering a defensive mix up saw the ball deflected for a corner, the resulting set piece saw the ball bounce loose in the area and the attacker getting a glancing header goal wards the ball looped up high and both Browning and Tommy failing to clear the line the attacker forced Tommy to stumble and head the ball upwards into the net for an own goal 2-1
This lifted Warwick and with tempers rising in the united defence Warwick soon equalised.. Another ball over the top saw there attacker break down the left hand side cut inside and slot the ball past Boon and into the net. 2-2
Half time couldn't come soon enough and when H.G. had big Sean to thank when he cleared off the line the team breathed a huge sigh of relief when the ref blew for the interval.
Half Time
Warwick Athletic 2-2 H.G. United
The players received an inspirational half time lecture, and with the team going back to basics for the second half, they started the brighter team.
Boyd was again sent through but the keeper pulled off a good save, and Finny went close when the ball was played over from a Wella free kick but just couldn't meet the ball in the air.
United really started to look the business with last weeks hero Stu mopping up in the middle and Browning and Chris Eldridge both standing out.
Boyd made way for spuds debut, and Finny pushed on up front and it was the pace and skill of Finny that saw Athletic struggle.
H.G. now having the sun in their favour played Warwick at there own game and Tom and Stu started pinging some lovely balls over the defence onto Blake’s and Finnys runs and it was only a matter of time until it paid off when stu sent a great ball into the path of Finny who with the keeper rushing out sent the ball over his head and into the empty net!! 3-2
Warwick looked defeated and let there heads dropped, United should have put the game outta there reach when some good work from Finny saw him beat the keeper and send the ball back across goal.. Paki Tom Knight met the ball with a great header but saw the ball cleared off the line!!
United never looked troubled again and with the back line solid, kept pressing forward. Cone head came on for Blake with ten minutes left and forced the Warwick defence into clearing the ball for a corner which Tom drifted in and saw Browning leap the highest a send a powerful header goal wards... the keeper was fortunate to see the ball palmed onto the cross bar and back into his hands.
Full Time
Warwick Athletic 2-3 H.G. United
Manager James Wright was pleased to see his side progress and payed compliment to his back four who were solid for most of the game. And after loosing their heads a bit the first half regained discipline and went on to win the game.
