Hedon Rangers

Hedon Rangers A v Springhead
26 September 2004

Hedon Rangers A v Costello Sharks
10 October 2004

DCSI Eagles v Hedon Rangers A
Sunday 6 March 2005

Hedon Rangers A v St Andrews A
Sunday 13 March 2005

Barham Boys v Hedon Rangers A
Sunday 20 March 2005

Hedon Rangers A v Springhead - 26 September 2004

Game 1
On the opening day of a new season Hedon handed long awaited league debuts to the Broadley twins Matt and Will in what was expected to be a tough encounter against a strong Springhead side.

The home side got the game underway and the opening encounters were fast and furious with both teams trying to take the early advantage. It wasn't a long wait for the opening goal of the season when Jacob Coulman managed to create an opening for Jack Etherington who remained cool and slotted the ball home to give the home side a deserved lead. This lead however was short lived and as a result of not clearing a corner the visitors levelled the scoring. Half time arrived with no further goals and the second half continued in the same vein as the first with Ryan Wilson who was struggling with asthma standing solid at the back and snuffing out anything the visitors threw at him.

With the game reaching the final seconds a draw looked certain until what looked like being a cruel twist when a opposing striker hit a tremendous low drive towards the bottom corner and but for the ever reliable Robert Johnson who threw himself across the goal to turn the ball round the post and secure a draw as the final whistle blew.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 1 Springhead 1

Game 2
The second game started with Ryan Wilson taking a breather and a reshuffle meant Lewis Basset moved back into the defence and promptly played his best half of the morning. Matt and Will Broadley were now growing in confidence and it was no surprise that the majority of the play was in the visitors half. The appointment of Jacob Coulman as skipper seems an inspired choice as Jacob has shown great maturity and skill leading his side by example, and it was the skipper who opened the scoring with a great finish to a flowing move. The lead was soon doubled when Sam Melton who was now in his more customary wing back stole into the area unnoticed to coolly finish another well worked move.

Although at two nil Hedon seamed to be strolling the second half saw the opposition create more chances but the Hedon defence was assured and Robert Johnson dealt comfortably with any ball that reached the area. The courageous Ryan Wilson stood firm in defence allowing Hedon to push forward again and created a number of chances with some superb flowing football and would have fully deserved to add to their lead. One flowing move down the right wing saw Sam Melton set Matt Broadley free he beat the full back got to the bye line and whipped in a dangerous cross which saw brother Will's flying head flash inches over the bar. Seconds later Sam Melton produced the moment of the morning with neat footwork he beat his man and from fully thirty yards out on the left touchline he unleashed a thunderbolt which rattled the crossbar. Had this gone in without any doubt we would have seen goal of the season on Day One.

With the final whistle blowing Hedon thoroughly deserved this victory with every player giving maximum effort and the discussion prior to the game regarding teamwork clearly playing dividends as the team continued their excellent pre season form. On this performance all augers well for the rest of the season.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 2 Springhead 0

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Hedon Rangers A v Costello Sharks - 10 October 2004

Game 1
Hedon opened nervously as they looked to continue their unbeaten start to the season and were soon put to the sword by their opponents. An early attempt on the Hedon goal saw goalkeeper Robert Johnson saving well at the foot of the post. Hedon were finding it difficult but thanks to a well taken opening goal from debutant Tom Morfitt we started to see glimpses of the free flowing football we have now come to expect. At one nil the half time score was about right although Hedon looked a wee bit out of sorts.

After a half time roasting and the introduction of Lewis Bassett the second half was altogether different, and it wasn't long before Lewis's speculative effort evaded the clutches of the opposition keeper to double the lead. We now saw a display of superb teamwork that knocked the stuffing out of their opponents, the passing was a joy to watch and the performance of Will Broadley outstanding. Will took control of the game in the middle of midfield and from this point on there was only going to be one winner. Chance after chance were created and it was Sam Melton who increased the lead with a sweetly hit shot from the edge of the area. With five minutes remaining the normally influential skipper Jacob Coulman had had a quiet match until he exploded into life scoring two goals one a superb diving header that would have graced any football pitch. The final whistle blew cruelly denying Jacob a hat trick much to the relief of Jacob's dad and after a tentative start Hedon ran out five nil winners.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 5 Costello Sharks 0

Game 2
In the second game Hedon took an early stranglehold on the game and never really let their opponents get a look in. The football was quick with excellent passing and the home side created chance after chance. This time the scoring was opened when Lewis Bassett again tested the keeper from just in the opposition half and the ball managed to squirm into the back of the net the only question being was it a shot or a defensive clearance ? Will Broadley rounded off his morning with a thoroughly deserved goal shortly before half time. In the second half the tireless runs of Jack Etherington paid dividend as he again got his name on the score sheet before Matt Broadley finished of the scoring with what set off as a cross flew passed the keeper into the top corner to give Hedon a four nil victory.

After an unconvincing first five minutes Hedon pulled themselves together to end up putting in a superb performance. I was particular impressed with Will Broadley who was tenacious in the tackle and his passing game was excellent. This said it was by no means a one man show with every player giving their all. It all started with a great save from Robert Johnson which kept his side on level terms early on, and although he didn't have a great deal to do what he did was faultless as he has been all season with an impressive record of five successive clean sheets and only on goal conceded in all six matches. Matt Broadley took time to get started in the first match but in the second he was outstanding as once again he flew up and down the right wing creating chance after chance for the forwards and capped his morning with a goal. Sam Melton grows in confidence and stature every game with another impressive performance and he was another goal scorer. New recruit Tom Morfitt made his debut and what a start with a well taken goal he looked sharp upfront strong at the back and is settling in nicely. Jack Etherington worked tirelessly and although he sometimes struggled in front of goal he kept his head deserved his goal and one day soon will score a hat full. After finding it difficult last week on a bumpy pitch Lewis Bassett returned to his best he was strong and commanding and with two long range goals he helped Hedon settle in both games. At the back Ryan Wilson was a tower of strength he seems to get better with every game and I thought this was probably his best yet. Last but not least skipper Jacob Coulman who has shown excellent form in the early part of the season and this weekend showed a new found maturity. Jacob of seasons past would have disappeared after he found it difficult to get into the game but now he turned it round and ended having another excellent performance not only did he score another two goals he created endless chances for himself and his team mates - A very impressive performance all round.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 4 Costello Sharks 0

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DCSI Eagles v Hedon Rangers A - Sunday 6 March 2005

Game 1
An edgy start saw the home side capitalise and take the lead this after two fine saves by Robert Johnson. As the half progressed Hedon grew in confidence and it wasn’t long before Matt Broadley pulled his side level before brother Will struck the bar which would have seen Hedon hold a deserved lead at the interval. None the less the half ended equal thanks to some fine goalkeeping from both keepers.

The second half opened with Hedon forging forward and after a superb run and cross from Lewis Bassett we saw skipper Jacob Coulman unmarked at the back post to head Hedon in front. The action switched to the Hedon area and disaster struck the ever dependable Ryan Wilson was harshly adjudged to have handled with his forehead !!!
The resulting penalty saw the cat like Johnson save well pounce on the loose ball and launch the attack which saw Sam Melton coolly hammer the ball past the home keeper to end the resistance and see Hedon run out three one victors.
Final Score: DCSI Eagles 1 Hedon Rangers A 3

Game 2
The second game saw Jack Etherington and Will Broadley put Hedon two up within two minutes. DCSI hit back and were soon level but thanks to strong defending from Ryan Wilson and Tom Morfitt Hedon rallied to settle back into the game and shortly after the break Jacob Coulman and Will Broadley took control of the game from the midfield and it was the skipper Coulman who put the visitors in front with another cool finish. DCSI weren’t finished and again equalised and the unthinkable looked on the cards. The home team pushed forward and another tremendous save from Robert Johnson who had one of his best games to date in the Hedon goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side. It was now Hedon’s turn to sweep forward and in an amazing three minute spell Jack Etherington swept in three really well taken goals. This was thanks to tremendous service from his team mates with the non stop Coulman twice splitting the defence with pin point passes to set the Van Nistleroy like striker on his way.

An excellent performance from all concerned Lewis Bassett and Ryan Wilson battled for everything and were solid at the back. The brothers Broadley again put in fine performances with Will dictating the midfield and Matt was a constant danger whether playing upfront or as the rampaging wingback. Jacob Coulman worked his socks off in midfield and showed his best form to eventually send his side to victory. Sam Melton although taking time to settle grew in confidence and was back to what we now expect at the final whistle and it was great to see Jack Etherington find his shooting boots with four excellent goals and an excellent performance chasing every ball. Finally Tom Morfitt and Robert Johnson so often unsung hero’s Tom defended as if his life depended upon it and made some cracking breaks down the wing and played his best game for the club to date. In goal Robert Johnson who had a number of quiet mornings before Christmas got a taste of what division one would be like and was up for the task with great saves and excellent distribution including the all important penalty save which in my eyes won the first match for Hedon.
Final Score: DCSI Eagles 3 Hedon Rangers 6

Greta stuff fella’s.

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Hedon Rangers A v St Andrews A - Sunday 13 March 2005

Game 1
The early exchanges saw St Andrews take control of the game and it wasn’t long before Robert Johnson was called upon to make an excellent flying save to keep the score level, this been the first of many on another fine mornings work by the Hedon keeper. With the pressure on, Hedon needed to stand and be counted and the ever dependable Lewis Bassett did just that with a performance to be proud of he stood tall and tackled everything that moved. Good support came from Matt Broadley who as Hedon started to comeback into the game produced passes that would have graced any football field in the country to open up the opponents defence. Hedon now were coming into the game and looked like going in front when Jack Etherington turned and hit a stunning dipping volley only to see the keeper make a fine save tipping the ball over bar. With half time drawing in Hedon were looking the stronger of the two teams until with the last kick of the half and unstoppable shot gave the visitors the lead.

The second half was much of the same with the both teams creating chance after the chance and but for fine goalkeeping at both ends we could have seen a rugby score. With only seconds remaining the home support were left stunned when a Will Broadley shot looked to heading for the top corner and a deserved draw only for the keeper to get the faintest of touches to deny the equaliser.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 0 St Andrews A 1

Game 2
The second match was as end to end as the first and it was the visitors who struck first. With the ball flying from end to end Ryan Wilson as usual controlled his defence and produced another strong performance. Hedon searched for an answer and skipper Jacob Coulman for the second game on the trot ran himself into the ground for his side and try his he might just couldn’t get his side level.

Trailing at the interval and a rallying call from the coach Hedon had their best spell of pressure and thoroughly deserved the equaliser when the ever improving Jack Etherington hit an unstoppable shot from a seemingly impossible angle to draw the home side level. This galvanised their opponents who hit back with two goals as Hedon were pushing forward. Skipper Coulman, Lewsis Bassett and the Broadley twins ran their legs off to try and get their team back into contention but to no avail as the final whistle saw the visitors victoriousbut knowing they had been pushed all the way for a hard fought victory.
Final Score: Hedon Rangers A 1 St Andrews A 3

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Barham Boys v Hedon Rangers A - Sunday 20 March 2005

Game 1
The first half saw Hedon kicking up the hill and into the wind against a very good footballing home side. It was no surprise that Hedon struggled to get started and that they trailed 2.0 at half time.

After a half time wake up call Hedon looked a different side from there on in. Ryan Wilson started to dominate the defence and with Lewis Bassett tremendous all morning the visitors started to claw their way back although the result was never in doubt a much improved Hedon performance left a glimmer of hope for the second game.
Final Score: Barham Boys 2 Hedon Rangers A 0

Game 2
The second game saw Hedon give it their all and in the opening encounters Hedon had the better of the chances hitting their opponents on the break and Tom Morfitt was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. At this point the home side realising they had a game on their hands started to come back into the game. Step up Lewis Basset who was absolutely awesome in defence for the Hedon side supported well by Matt Broadley and Jack Etherington. Barham grew stronger and looked like taking the lead with a thunderous shot which the Hedon keeper Rob Johnson managed to somehow turn the ball onto the crossbar with a breath taking save. Will Broadley and Sam Melton then started to link well in the midfield and again set Tom Morfitt free upfront only to be thwarted by the home keeper. At half time with honours even the home side reshuffled their pack and again they started the second half strongly.

After another fine Robert Johnson save Hedon hit their opponents on the break on a number of occasions and captain courageous Jacob Coulman won a ball he had no right to win, with a bit of help from his nose. The ball broke free for Jack Etherington back in his accustomed striking role to race forward only to see his first shot saved by the keeper but Jack kept his cool to knock home the rebound under great pressure from the defender to keep up his record of scoring every week since the winter break with five goals in three weeks. Hedon managed to hold out until with five minutes to go when the home side managed to snatch two goals to move into the lead. Hedon to their credit fought back and it was the home side who were pleased to here the final whistle.

On a morning when against a very strong Barham side it was a case of all hands to the pumps and Hedon gave their all, and their effort alone deserved more than the two defeats. Lewis Basset was a rock and thoroughly deserved his man of the match tag. Robert Johnson was close behind in a morning when he handled confidently and made to stunning saves, Ryan Wilson, Matt Broadley, Tom Morfitt and Jack Etherington all defended as if life depended up on it. Jacob Coulman, Will Broadley and Sam Melton battled well in midfield and with just a little bit of luck could have picked up a result in the second game.
Final Score: Barham Boys 2 Hedon Rangers 1

This game was played and supported in a very sporting manner and was a fine example of how mini soccer should be played and watched with both sets of players and supporters been a credit to The Hull Boys Sunday League.

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