Hartpury Football Junior 1st Team Suffer Through Missing Lincs

Hartpury dropped their first points of the season with a 1-1 draw against a well organised Lincoln team in the ECFA Premier League on Wednesday. Hartpury had to make enforced changes due to the departure of their influential captain Jamie Dunn and then hours before kick-off ever present midfielder Ollie Hopwood was pulled out due to sickness. In came Harry Osbourne to the centre of midfield, Mitch Gough moved across to centre back, with Charlie Novoth slotting in to his favoured right back position. Even with these changes Hartpury started brightly. In the 6^th minute, left winger Fahy burst down the wing and then checked his run and played the ball inside to Liddiard. Liddiard played a one two with Osbourne and then Liddiard struck the ball towards goal with the Lincoln ‘keeper saving well. Then in the 23^rd minute, Thomson on the right wing cut inside and a great timed run from striker Turner was met with his pass into the penalty area. He was just about to shoot, but then the Lincoln striker brought him down, although the linesman gave the penalty the referee over-ruled him and waved play on. This seemed to have affected the Hartpury morale and it was Lincoln who then created the better chances. It was on the 24^th minute when Lincoln nearly opened the scoring. Hartpury’s centre back Gough tried to shepherd the ball out of play, however the pacey Lincoln winger got round him, kept the ball in play and shot from the angle. To Gough’s relief the ball hit the side netting. It was then only five minutes later when Lincoln took the lead. The goal came from a corner on the right, the ball was curled in with pace and the Lincoln striker was able to get between Osbourne and goalkeeper Filkins to head the ball into the net. This buoyed Lincoln on and they had a confident spell of play. Threatening again from a set piece, as a long throw into the box was left to bounce just in front of goal. However goalkeeper Filkins was alert to collect as the Lincoln striker was about to shoot. Hartpury started to get back in the game but the half time whistle was blown.

Half time: Hartpury 0 – Lincoln 1

It was no surprise that Hartpury were given direct instructions and motivation at the interval break. This seemed to have an immediate impact as Hartpury started brightly and were playing their normal high tempo game. Hartpury equalised in the 48^th minute, a quick free kick was played to Liddiard who passed to winger Fahy. Fahy played outside to overlapping Thwaite, his cross found striker Turner who set the ball back to Hilton to fire a thunderous shot towards goal. To Hartpury’s despair it bounced off the underside of the bar and back in to play. However, this was cleared out for a corner and from this Hartpury’s set move paid off. Hilton played the ball into the box and Gough challenged the Lincoln keeper, the ball fell at the back post for Liddiard to finish from close range. Hartpury continued to dominate and could have gone ahead when the Lincoln keeper mistimed his back pass. This fell to Hilton whose goal bound shot was blocked just in time by the Lincoln defender. It was Hilton again who had another chance on 54 minutes, some good inter-play between Fahy and Turner gave Hilton space to shoot from the edge of the box, but his connection was not as good and the keeper gathered easily. It was only minutes later when Hartpury counter attacked from a great pass from Hilton. This got switched to winger Thomson who beat his man and played a great cross in the box for Turner, but his header sailed over and wide. You could see the confidence to get the winner was there. The next chance came from the other wing, another great piece of inter play, this time between Osbourne and Fahy enabled the latter to get to the by-line and cross for Turner. Unfortunately Turner’s contact was not enough to trouble the keeper. It was then Hartpury’s turn to look dangerous from set pieces. From two corners Hilton’s delivery caused the keeper to misjudge the cross. If Hartpury had anticipated this then they could have had two easy goals. There was another great chance missed when some patient build up play resulted in Thwaite delivering a dangerous cross into the box. Liddiard was there unmarked but his header was off target. Hartpury continued to be patient hoping the winner was upon them. In the 37^th  minute, a big header from Liddiard in midfield bypassed the Lincoln defence and this saw Turner through on goal only to be taken out by the Lincoln defender. From the resulting free kick Osbourne stepped up; favouring a left footer he bent the ball around the wall, however, the keeper managed to get his finger tips to the ball and direct it over the bar. Time had run out and for all of their second half dominance Hartpury had to settle for the draw.

Full Time: Hartpury 1 – Lincoln 1

Team

Filkins, Novoth, Poole, Gough, Thwaite, Hilton ©, Liddiard, Osbourne, Fahy, Thomson (Panting), Turner.  Subs: Hicks, Tunnicliffe, Coombes, Kewley.