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Starting their first game since 29 November, the Hornets looked sharp and organised as they claimed a deserved draw in a game they dominated and should have won.
The first half was played almost exclusively in the Sawbo half. Defenders James and Olly were very diligent and stopped all attacks very quickly and the hosts were kept pinned in their own half. Jonathan, Morgan, Vinay and Benjamin were first to every ball and showed good passing and movement when Hitchin had possession. The only thing lacking was goals and despite lots of promising situations and half-chances, the goal that the Hornets deserved just didn’t arrive.
The second half followed a similar pattern as William A moved up front to bolster the attacking options. Midway through the half, completely against the run of play, the hosts forced their first corner and went in front with a flick at the near post. The Hornets responded very positively and continued to attack. They created a host of chances and finally converted one, with Morgan charging into the area to crash home William’s cross to make it 1-1. Hitchin poured forward in search of a winner but it wasn’t to be and Sam Hartnack made a fantastic save to deny a Sawbo breakaway late on.
Nonetheless, a very promising first game of 2010 and the team is shaping up nicely. Sam Hartnack was again very solid in goal and made a blinding save to deny the hosts a winner. James and Olly combined superbly in defence – they were composed, didn’t miss a tackle or block and used the ball very well. Jonathan and Benjamin provided good width on the wings and Morgan controlled the game in centre midfield. Vinay and William were a constant menace to the Sawbo defence and were unlucky not to score.
Man of the match: - Lots of candidates for this one. James is growing in confidence with every game and looks like he has been playing in defence all his life. Benjamin had his best game of the season – busy and competitive in midfield. MoM was Morgan – he dominated the midfield, breaking up Sawbo attacks, using the ball well in possession and supporting the forwards to claim a very well-deserved first goal of the season.
Team – Sam Hart, James, Olly, Jonathan, Morgan, Benjamin, Vinay, William A.
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