As the 1st half started, Beacon Hill launched their attack, forcing the Knights onto the back foot but the Knights were ready for the challenge. Blackbourn cleared the ball down field for Holloway to chase, but the pace of the ball was a little too much due to the sloping pitch. A quickly taken goal-kick by Beacon Hill allowed 2 attackers to break free, but it looked like they controlled the ball with their hands; however, Blackbourn, Choularton and Komboni gave the attackers no time on the ball, and Beacon Hill’s long range shot went wide. Holloway collected the ball from a clearance by Komboni, but as Holloway made his way towards Beacon Hill’s goal he was brought down unfairly by a defender – the resulting free-kick saw a shot by Doel drift wide of the mark. Choularton cleared the ball up-field where Borachan release Powell down the right wing, without hesitation Powell cut in-field and fired over a cross which was cleared for a corner. Komboni took the corner which was only cleared to Greenaway who quickly passed to Holloway but his attempt went just wide of the post. During another Beacon Hill attack, stopped by Blackbourn and Komboni, the Knights mounted yet another attack of their own in the form of Greenaway flying down the right wing, but this time Beacon Hill defended well, bringing this attack to a sudden stop. A battle for control of mid-field took place with Greenaway winning the first encounter, releasing Doel towards goal. Doel rounded a player before slotting the ball to Holloway but his shot was saved by the Beacon Hill keeper. A very quick attack was then launched by Beacon Hill but Komboni was alert and sent the ball out for a corner; as the corner was taken Tadd, the Knights keeper had to guide the ball behind for another corner. As the Knights were organising their defence Beacon Hill took a short corner, a striker turned and let fly, scoring the opening goal of the match, which, I believe, was against the run of play. As the Knights began looking for the equaliser, Beacon Hill cleared from defence with a long ball, allowing 2 strikers the opportunity to head for goal; as the shot was taken Tadd was up to the challenge and made a good save. Because the Knights were looking to score, this left a few holes in their defence but Blackbourn, Courtnage and Komboni kept Beacon Hill at bay. Komboni cleared up-field to Powell who nipped pass a defender before firing a shot goal ward, but this was saved by the Beacon Hill’s keeper. As the half was drawing to a close Beacon Hill were awarded a throw in, quickly taken, this caught the Knights defenders unawares, resulting in Beacon Hill scoring their 2nd goal of the match. From the re-start Courtnage and Powell forced their way forward attempting to get the Knights onto the score sheet, using excellent passing down the left wing; however Beacon Hill defended in numbers, stopping them from shooting. With moments remaining Choularton clear the ball up-field where Courtnage collected the ball and turned towards goal, releasing Holloway. Holloway went passed a Beacon Hill defender before letting fly and putting the ball into the back of the net; as the whistle blew the Knights were 2-1 down at halt-time.
The 2nd half started with Beacon Hill attacking down hill, and soon the Knights defence were in action once again, forcing Beacon Hill to shoot wide; the goal kick was intercepted by Beacon Hill and the resulting shot forced Tadd to save. Blackbourn cleared the ball forward allowing Holloway to chase; using neat ball skills Holloway rounded 2 defenders before giving himself the opening he needed to score, which he did, 2-2 with only about 10 minutes remaining. Courtnage released Holloway up-field and with Borachan assisting, a goal scoring opportunity was looming; but as Holloway passed to Borachan, the Beacon Hill defenders came rushing out forcing Borachan to shot just wide of the post. An attack launched by Beacon Hill caused confusion in the Knights penalty area; Tadd tried to clear the ball but it rebounded back towards goal, Blackbourn was there and he cleared the ball off the goal line but with another Beacon Hill attacker rushing in, a 3rd goal for Beacon Hill was scored; the Knights were now 3-2 down. However there was more than a hint of hand-ball before this 3rd goal was scored but according to the referee nothing was amiss. The Knights still kept trying to score but were frustrated time and time again; from one such attack the Beacon Hill keeper collected the ball and launched a long drop-kick which was taken to the left wing by a Beacon Hill striker. He crossed the ball but Tadd, the Knights keeper could not hold on and the ball fell kindly to a lone striker, letting him score an easy goal; 4-2 to Beacon Hill. From the re-start Beacon Hill quickly over-run the Knights, and with only moments to spare scored their 5th goal of the match. With the match finally over the Manager had the hard task of choosing Man of the Match, not an easy decision to make as all players gave their all. However, due to his tireless work down the left wing, in attack as well as in mid-field Holloway was the managers pick.
I felt that Beacon Hill were allowed to get away with a few minor infringements of the rules, as many of their players appeared to handle the ball to aid their control; this however was not seen by the referee. There’s an old saying which goes something like this: “Many hands make light work of any situation”, this appear to have been the case for Beacon Hill today.
