Hartpury Junior Football Academy fire five against Filton

Hartpury opened their ECFA Premier League account with a five – one thrashing of local rivals FIlton College at Hartpury on Wednesday. The derby game was frantically paced right from the outset as both teams wanted to set their tempo and it was Hartpury that created the first clean chance on 12 mins when good work from new winger Dan Thomson saw his cross half blocked which fell in to the path of forward Jack Wood who’s goal bound shot was saved by a Filton defender with his hand and this gave the referee no choice but to send the player off and award Hartpury a penalty. With wood feeling aggrieved he stepped up but his spot kick was pulled wide. This lifted Filton’s spirits and even with 10 men they rallied and continued to match Hartpury. Hartpury thought it was going to be one of those days when Wood and strike partner Turner were both played through and missed glorious chances to put Hartpury ahead. However they didn’t let this deter them and on 30 mins Wood received the ball from Midfield turned his defender and unleashed a powerful drive from 20 yards which cannoned off the cross bar and down over the line. This gave Hartpury the added confidence from their earlier missed chances and after great work from winger Paul Fahy he played inside to Wood who slotted Turner in and he pushed the ball just past the post. Hartpury were attacking with real threat and scored the goal of the day when Thomson picked a pass from Pearson at the back, who saw former Stoke City midfielder Ollie Hopwood overlap down the right wing and distribute an inch perfect cross for Thomson to finish his 30 yard run with a simple header at the back post. It was not all Hartpury as Filton’s pace caused problems and a direct ball found Filton striker Scott Wilson on the edge of the 18 yard box and as he ran towards goal Hartpury Keeper Sam Filkins narrowed the angle and blocked bravely to keep the score 2-0 at Half Time.

The second half started cautiously and Filton now with the wind behind them applied continued pressure with direct balls and set pieces in to the area and this was dealt well with the Hartpury back line. Hartpury looking a little complacent on 60 mins were caught in possession in midfield by the bright Wilson who then turned and was direct and unleashed a wind assisted shot that flew in to the top corner past the helpless Filkins. This warranted a reaction and only five minutes later Hartpury did just that getting back to their football and a short free kick just inside their half was played by Pearson to right back Gough who saw Wood’s run and played him in to the right side of the penalty area and he coolly took a touch and smashed the ball past the Filton Keeper. Hartpury then pushed on and stretched their lead further with Wood completing his hat-trick on 72 mins when his run was picked out by substitute Hilton and Wood made no mistake by turning and the power was too much for the Filton stopper as it went straight through him in to the roof of the net. Hilton was dictating play in Midfield with the extra space appearing and a quick switch from him put Thomson down the right wing and he checked and played Liddiard in to the area and he danced his way through their defence and deftly finshied over the oncoming keeper.

A great opening display from the juniors and greatly impressed the new Manager Paul Tassell. “We have settled in well and had great preparation going in to the new season and to record our best score against our local rivals is a great foundation to build on for another successful season. It was great to see us not panic after missing those early chances including the penalty and for the team to have the confidence to keep creating and overcome this. This shows the ethic we have and I am very proud of this result.”

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Read the report from the Gloucestershire Echo