GROWCOTT PREVENTS AN AVALANCHE

Tuesday 14th April 2015 - WLP

Tonight we completed our fixtures for the season against Cadbury Heath. At kick off, Hallen were three points above Winterbourne who occupy the second relegation spot and play their final game in a few days time. One would have thought the fact that the team from Moorhouse Lane had a better goal difference of thirteen would ensure their safety, but as tonight's game progressed, Hallen were taken apart and could easily have shipped eight or nine goals which would have left Winterbourne needing a victory by four goals to send Hallen out of the top flight. Luckily, Growcott in the home goal was outstanding and it was his performance that ensured Winterbourne need to win their last game by eleven goals.

Before the game, Adam Growcott told me that he thinks of himself as Take That because he has given so many farewell performances. How appropriate those words turned out to be as he was able to RELIGHT HIS FIRE so as to NEVER FORGET WHERE THEY WERE COMING FROM. Add a little PATIENCE and PRAY if necessary as he single handedly stopped THE FLOOD to produce a performance that left everyone asking, COULD IT BE MAGIC?

As is now becoming customary, Hallen had two reasonable chances to score during the first ten minutes, but neither were taken. Heath then started to settle as it needed a fine save from Growcott to deny Huxley who fired a shot that was entering the net by the far post, but the visitors scored after twenty-eight minutes when they were allowed too much room on the left flank enabling them to make progress and deliver a cross from which the back of the net was a formality. With half time approaching, another great stop from Growcott and Tovey clearing up proceedings stopped Heath increasing their lead, and in added time it was Growcott again and an incredible double stop on the goal line from Hill.

Direct from the kick off, Collett, obviously inspired by Charlie Adams, went for a sixty yard strike but without success. After sixty minutes, Heath scored their second when Henderson was beaten and Tovey was unfortunate to turn the fierce cross into his own net. The visitors now started to cut through our defence like a knife through butter as the home keeper was called on to use his legs to win a one-on-one contest quickly followed by a save low down to the keeper's left and a parry thanks to quick reflexes. The scoreline reflected the game more accurately on eighty minutes when Cadbury Heath scored their third when a shot entered the net via the underside of the crossbar. In added time Hallen did eventually score a gifted goal that was well converted by Tovey.

Goals: Hallen - Tovey 90+2 mins / Cadbury Heath - 28 mins; 60 mins; 80 mins

Hallen cautions: Hill 40 mins

Hallen team: Growcott; Henderson; Butler; Camargo; Hill; Andrews (Reid 55 mins); Cook; Digby; Collett; Mills (Smallman 43 mins); Tovey