Hook Norton 4 V 5 Launton Boys Under 11's

<p>Where do you start!!&nbsp; We arrived at Hook Norton on a warm and sunny morning to find a pitch in perfect condition, though bigger than the ones we had previously played on so you kind of thought there'd be plenty of goals, and so it proved.

<p>We started the game well and our midfield of Ben J, Ben B, George K and Miguel and strikers Dan and Marco managed to peg back our hosts deep into their own half.&nbsp; After 9 minutes this pressure paid off when from a through ball from Jake, Ben B got to the ball just before the advancing keeper and managed to squeeze the ball just inside the near post.

<p>10 minutes later we doubled our lead when from a great corner from the impressive Ben B, George K volleyed home from close range, 2-0.

<p>By now we were so much on top that it looked to be a case of how many we wouild get.&nbsp; But two minutes before half-time, against the run of play, Hookie struck back when a corner was headed in to make the score 2-1. A minute later it was 2-2. A hopeful ball was lobbed forward and bounced just in front of George R and over his head and in.

<p>The second half began with the home team doing most of the pressing, but our back four of Ben M, Jake, Jay and Joe, who was having a cracking game, and goalie George R held firm until Hookie made the breakthrough with 20 minutes left to give them a 3-2 lead.

<p>We then pressed hard for an equaliser but to no avail, with ten minutes left we tried one last throw of the dice.&nbsp; The hard working Dan came off with Ewan going in goal and George R pushing up front.&nbsp; Initially the plan didnt work because 3 minutes later we were 4-2 down and with just 7 minutes left we were seemingly down and out.&nbsp; But no one told our boys that, with 2 minutes remaining the ball fell to George R who dinked a superb ball through to George K who took it in his stride before firing home to give us hope of sneaking a draw.&nbsp; In the last minute the ball again broke to George R who was just inside the area he loaded the gun and was about to fire when he was bundled over from behind.&nbsp; PENALTY.&nbsp; George K stepped up and planted the ball firmly in the corner to complete a brilliant hat trick. 4-4.

<p>We were now well on top but we were deep into injury time when we witnessed one of the most bizarre incidents I've ever seen in football. Ben B stabbed the ball from a goalmouth scramble for what we thought was the winner.&nbsp; The Ref gave a goal and we all trotted back to the half-way line.&nbsp; The Ref then spotted an injured Hookie player and went to see him.&nbsp; The player told him he'd been kicked so the Ref disallowed the goal!!

<p>Despite this we still got another chance. Man of the Match Ben J won possesion and sprinted into the area before calmly planting the ball in the far corner ensuring we maintained our 100% start to the season.

<p>So a massive WELL DONE to all the boys who refused to be beaten and produced a performance full of skill and character.

<p>I'm off for a lie down now, see you all on Friday!!

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