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SEASON 2014-15

Toolstation Western League

Premier Division 

 

After a season of mixed fortunes during the previous season, manager Jamie Hillman decided to return to his former club Hengrove Athletic. Former player and manager Paul Owen (left) agreed to take on the role for another season assisted by Richard Nelmes and Lee Fairman. Unfortunately results did not go as well as expected, and Paul considered it would be best for the club to bring in a new manager, to enable him to not only see out the season, but to allow more time to plan for the following season.

 

Steve Winter (right) with experience of playing in the Football League and who had helped guide Bishop Sutton to the title in 2011-12,was appointed manager in December 2014

 

 

 

RESULTS 2014-15

 

 

AUGUST 2014  

 

9   Sherborne Town 1 D 1 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Div Collett
12   HALLEN 2 L  5 Bradford Town
  Tovey, Collett Western League Premier Division
16   Whitchurch United 1 D 1 HALLEN
  F.A.Cup Extra Preliminary Round Own Goal
19   HALLEN 2 1 Whitchurch United
  Butler, Collett F.A.Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay
23   HALLEN 1 L 2 Bitton
  Bennett Western League Premier Division
30   Swindon Supermarine 1 L 0 HALLEN
  F.A.Cup Preliminary Round  

 

SEPTEMBER 2014  

 

3   Cadbury Heath 1 W 3 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division Collett Butler Mills
6   HALLEN 1 3 Odd Down
  Mills Western League Premier Division
10   Willand Rovers 1 L 0 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division none
13   Bishop Sutton 2 L 0 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division none
16   HALLEN 1 1 Slimbridge
   Mills Western League Premier Division
20   HALLEN 1 w 0 Bridport
  Tovey Western League Premier Division
27   Buckland Athletic 2 L 0 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division  

 

OCTOBER 2014  

 

4   Gillingham Town 0 W 4 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division Clennell Mills 3
11   Street 3 L 0 HALLEN

No

Report

  Western League Premier Division none
18   HALLEN 4 1 Winterbourne United
   Mills 2, Cook Collett Western League Premier Division
21   Slimbridge 2 L 1 HALLEN
  Gloucestershire FA Trophy Round 2 Collett
25   Brislington 1 L 0 HALLEN
  Toolstation Western League  
28   HALLEN 3 2 Portishead Town
   Mills  Tovey Derosa  Les Phillips League Cup Preliminary Round

 

NOVEMBER 2014  

 

15   Brislington 1 W 2 HALLEN
   Les Phillips League Cup Round 1 Mills 2
22   Odd Down 3 L 2 HALLEN

   F.A. Vase Round 2 Hailu Collett 
29   Melksham Town 1 D 1 HALLEN

  Western League Premier Division Hicks 

 

DECEMBER 2014  

 

6   HALLEN 0 L  3 Sherborne Town
    Western League Premier Division
10   Bradford Town 5 L 2 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division  Collett Mills
13   HALLEN 2 1 Willand Rovers
  Butler, Collett  Western League Premier Division
20   HALLEN 2 L 4 Shepton Mallet
   Cook Collett Western League Premier Division
26   Bristol Manor Farm 5 L 0 HALLEN
   Western League Premier Division  

 

JANUARY 2015  

 

10   HALLEN 5 W  0 Bishop Sutton
  Hicks 3 Collett Hawkins  Western League Premier Division
17   Bridport 0 D 0 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division  
24   HALLEN 0 4 Buckland Athletic
     Western League Premier Division
27   Bitton 4 L 1 HALLEN
   Western League Premier Division Own Goal
31   HALLEN 0 L 4 Street
    Western League Premier Division

 

FEBRUARY 2015  

 

7   HALLEN 3

aet

W 

3 Hengrove Athletic
  (WON 4-2pens) Butler Collett Smallman   Les Phillips League Cup Round 2
10   HALLEN 0 1 Longwell Green Sports
     Western League Premier Division
14   Odd Down 1 D 1 HALLEN
   Western League Premier Division  Collett
17   HALLEN 2 D 2 Brislington
  Butler Collett  Western League Premier Division
21   Longwell Green Sports 0 w 2 HALLEN
   Western League Premier Division  Collett Butler
28   HALLEN 0 L 1 Gillingham Town
    Western League Premier Division

 

MARCH 2015  

 

7   HALLEN 0 L  4 Melksham Town
    Western League Premier Division
11   Winterbourne United 1 W 4 HALLEN
  Western League Premier Division  Collett 2, Butler Digby
14   HALLEN 2  W  1 Cadbury Heath
   Henderson Collett  Les Phillips League Cup Quarter Final
28   Shepton Mallet 0  D HALLEN  
   Western League Premier Division  

 

APRIL 2015  

 

3   HALLEN 0  L Bristol Manor Farm  
    Western League Premier Division
6   Slimbridge 2 L 0 HALLEN  
  Western League Premier Division  
11   HALLEN  L  3 Barnstaple Town  
   Digby Les Phillips League Cup Semi Final
14   HALLEN L    Cadbury Heath
  Tovey   Western League Premier Division

 

 

 

 

 


APPEARANCES &
GOALSCORERS

 

 

Olly Butler

Most Appearances

 

Tom Collett

Top Goalscorer

 

 

Appearances
All Competitions
Hallen
Games
Played Started Sub Used?
Yes No
Adams J 6 4 2 2
Alford A 0     1
Andrews G 11 9 2  
Bagley C 1 1    
Bennett A 13 12 1 1
Brimson G 1 1    
Burgess S 18 18    
Camargo K 13 12 1 2
Cockram D 10 7 3 3
Corrish L 4 2 2  
Davis M 33 33    
Emery T 3 2 1  
Fairman L 0     16
Garbacz L 7 7    
Greening C 1 1    
Gribble S 5 5    
Growcott A 11 10 1 3
Harris B 24 22 2 4
Hill D 25 21 4 6
Joint G 0     5
Knight S 1 1    
Kondwani R 1   1 2
Lawton N 3 2 1  
Lloyd A 2   2 1
Merry B 1 1    
Mildon B 3   3  
Mortimore L 8 4 4 2
Nelmes R 6 3 3 7
Owen P 0     7
Reid M 37 33 4 4
Snook A 1   1 1
Stawrowski J 0     1
Thomson S 10 10    
Waugh R 1 1   2
Wells A 20 16 4  
Whittaker J 1 1    
Williams C 4 4   1
Wilson R 6 2 4 4
Winter S 6 5 1 13

 

 

Goalscorers        
All Competitions
                   
Games Goal
Played Started Sub Used
Yes No
Collett T 44 43 1   18
Mills L 33 23 10 1 12
Butler O 45 42 3
7
Hicks J 26 16 10 4 4
Tovey M 33 27 6 2 4
Cook A 41 37 4 2 2
Digby J 26 24 2 2 2
Clennell L 12 8 4 2 1
Derosa J 16 11 5 1 1
Hailu M 12 8 4   1
Hawkins D 5 5     1
Henderson L 10 7 3 3 1
OwnGoal - 1 1     1
Smallman T 11 5 6 6 1

 

 

League Table

  Overall Home Away  
  P W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS
1 Melksham Town 36 23 7 6 89 41 11 4 3 46 24 12 3 3 43 17 +48 76
2 Buckland Athletic 36 23 2 11 90 41 12 1 5 45 16 11 1 6 45 25 +49 71
3 Slimbridge 36 20 6 10 55 36 12 3 3 32 15 8 3 7 23 21 +19 66
4 Bristol Manor Farm 36 18 9 9 67 40 11 4 3 38 18 7 5 6 29 22 +27 63
5 Odd Down 36 18 8 10 78 56 8 5 5 39 26 10 3 5 39 30 +22 62
6 Willand Rovers 36 18 7 11 78 60 10 3 5 43 26 8 4 6 35 34 +18 61
7 Bitton 36 17 7 12 67 52 8 3 7 38 33 9 4 5 29 19 +15 58
8 Bradford Town 36 17 6 13 71 61 4 4 10 26 39 13 2 3 45 22 +10 57
9 Shepton Mallet 36 16 7 13 70 70 9 3 6 27 27 7 4 7 43 43 0 55
10 Brislington 36 14 10 12 64 45 7 6 5 27 16 7 4 7 37 29 +19 52
11 Sherborne Town 36 13 11 12 62 53 8 2 8 30 27 5 9 4 32 26 +9 50
12 Cadbury Heath 36 15 5 16 71 83 7 3 8 33 40 8 2 8 38 43 -12 50
13 Street 36 12 8 16 64 64 7 7 4 30 22 5 1 12 34 42 0 44
14 Bridport 36 13 5 18 44 66 6 4 8 25 33 7 1 10 19 33 -22 44
15 Gillingham Town 36 13 4 19 66 68 6 3 9 42 35 7 1 10 24 33 -2 43
16 Longwell Green Sports 36 12 5 19 49 67 5 2 11 19 35 7 3 8 30 32 -18 41
17 Hallen 36 8 7 21 41 70 4 2 12 22 40 4 5 9 19 30 -29 31
18 Winterbourne United 36 8 4 24 49 93 4 1 13 27 52 4 3 11 22 41 -44 28
19 Bishop Sutton 36 4 2 30 30 139 2 0 16 16 76 2 2 14 14 63 -109 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE WILL ACCEPT A POINT FROM THIS ONE

Saturday 9th August 2014 –

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

SHERBORNE TOWN 1 HALLEN 1

 

This report heralds the start of my 11th season of being responsible for such. May I therefore start by saying that any match report portrays the views and thoughts of the writer alone which may be shared by none, a few, or many. All I can promise is that my reports will be honest and unbiased but I am sure they would benefit from other contributors giving their offerings from a different perspective. Any offers? – please let me know so that I don’t have to spend every morning after a match two-finger typing! Today we started the new season with Paul Owen returning as manager assisted by Lee Fairman, Richard Nelmes and Graham Joint. Therefore, as you would expect, the team consisted of the Hallen faithful, returning Hallen players, and new signings. They will obviously take a while to gel so we must be pleased to come away with a point after being pinned in our own half for the vast majority of the second half.

 

Hallen started the match playing down the slope, on a hard surface and against a stiff breeze as they were the first to create a decent opportunity with Tovey delivering a good cross only for the headed chance to be squandered. But we only had to wait a further four minutes before Hallen took the lead as another cross came from the left with Cook heading the ball back into the danger area. Collett neatly took the ball on his chest before rifling in a volley from fifteen yards. Tovey’s change of pace was causing concern to the Sherborne defence as he put another good ball into the box that nearly resulted in an own goal. But it was the home side who should have scored when a superb training ground move from a free kick resulted in a striker knocking the ball wide of the goal. Sherborne did get the equaliser on thirty-seven minutes when they swept forward and the young full-back caught the eyes of the Hallen defence as he overlapped. This allowed the man with the ball a free run inside as he made no mistake from the edge of the penalty area. The interval came as Adams did well to break free to get a shot on target.

 

The second period started with Garbacz bringing two saves from the keeper but from there on in it was the team from Dorset who had the territorial advantage as Hallen allowed the opposition to run at their back men unchallenged. This caused many a heart stopping moment as crosses came in, and with Hallen men failing to take responsibility, our goal led a charmed life. With twenty minutes to go Davis, who had been outstanding, decided to go it alone as he picked the ball up in his own penalty area to power through the middle of the pitch before releasing the ball when thirty yards from his opponent’s goal. Unfortunately this opportunity was squandered. The game ended with Sherborne missing four good chances but, with the final whistle, Hallen pocketed their point and ran.

 

Goals: Hallen – Collett 14 mins/ Sherborne – 37 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: 1 – Burgess; 2 - Butler; 3 – Cockram (Wells- 80mins); 4 – M Davis; 5 – Reid (capt); 6 - Garbacz ; 7 – Cook; 8- Tovey; 9 – Collett; 10 – Adams (J Hicks 70 mins) ; 11 – Digby (14 – Wilson 38 mins)

 

 
   

 

 

 

GENOROUS HALLEN CONSPIRE TO HELP NEW COMERS

Tuesday 12th August 2014 –

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 2 BRADFORD TOWN 5

 

Tonight we welcomed newly promoted Bradford Town for their first ever visit to Moorhouse Lane. Last season, they won the First Division by thirteen points amassing 143 goals in their 42 games so, even without their prolific goal scoring machine (Sammy Jordan), they would be a difficult team for a regrouping Hallen outfit to beat. But it was Hallen who had all the early possession with Davis receiving the ball from a Tovey corner. He lifted his shot from the edge of the box so as to clear a crowded goalmouth but was unfortunate to see the ball go one foot over the bar instead of one foot under. Next it was Butler who just failed to get on the end of a forty yard pass to the far post from Collett, but it was the visitors who took the lead on thirteen minutes with their first threat of the game when a clinical finish saw the ball sweetly struck across Burgess and into the far corner of the net. Hallen were slow to learn from this rapier like attacking and were fortunate not to concede again five minutes later when a powerful speculative shot crashed against the underside of the bar only to come down on the line. But Bradford were soon to increase their lead when the Hallen keeper chose to meet a low cross with his fists only to parry the ball to an opponent whose clinical finish saw the ball in the back of the net within seconds.

 

Hallen now came back into the game as the crowd thought they had scored when a diving header from Tovey went inches wide. But the same player won a penalty as he ran into the area before skilfully inviting the rash challenge enabling Collett to score from the spot. Bradford then regained their two goal advantage as the man over slid the ball into the net after some slick passing left the Hallen defence chasing shadows. But the first half’s excitement wasn’t over yet as Tovey picked up the ball on the halfway line and jinked his way past three opponents before unleashing a shot from distance into the far corner of the net for a fine solo goal.

 

Five minutes into the second half Tovey and DeRosa combined well for the ball to be fed back to Butler who was pushing forward to fire in a thunderous effort that the keeper did well to get a touch on but was extremely fortunate to see the ball come down off the underside of the bar. Unfortunately Bradford scored again two minutes later when Hallen gave away possession and a speculative shot from distance crept into the net. A few minutes later it looked as though the visitors would score again when a rush of blood to the head saw Burgess tear from his goal and upend a striker but the Hallen keeper atoned for his error with an excellent save from the penalty as he dived low to his right to make the save. Burgess made another excellent stop as he was called on to dive at the feet of an opponent who was dancing through the defence. With just eight minutes left it was game over when the Hallen defence failed to close down the opposition leaving their keeper with no chance as an overhead kick from the angle of the box saw the ball enter the net.

 

Goals: Hallen – Collett 27 mins (pen); Tovey 37 mins / Bradford Tn – 13 mins; 22 mins; 34 mins; 52 mins; 82 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Burgess 55 mins

 

Hallen team: 1 - Burgess; 2 – Wells; 3 – Cockram (Lloyd 45 mins); 4 – M Davis; 5 – Reid (capt); 6 - Garbacz ; 7 – Cook; 8 – Tovey Hicks 86 mins) ; 9 – Collett; 10 – DeRosa (Wilson 67 mins); 11 - Butler

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

DUBIOUS PENALTY v OWN GOAL = REPLAY

Saturday 16th August 2014 –

FA Cup (Extra Prelim. Round)

WHITCHURCH UTD. 1 HALLEN 1

 

Today we played in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup where, ironically, we were drawn away to Whitchurch United who play in the Sydenham’s Wessex League. The clubs are no strangers to one another as we met on three occasions last year resulting in Hallen progressing to the next round of both the FA Cup and the FA Vase at the expense of the Hampshire club. But, on the pitch, this would count for nothing as both teams were vastly different to those of last year. To make matters more difficult, the Hallen manager struggled to field a competitive squad of fit players, so after a game lacking in quality and constructive purpose we should be grateful to come away with another chance to win the £1,500 on offer to the eventual winners of this round. Credit should be given to those who made light of the injuries they were carrying and made the effort to make the journey and represent their club. Hallen were lucky not to have conceded two goals in the opening six minutes when a deflected shot narrowly missed the post with the keeper beaten, followed by an unmarked home striker failing to get enough head on the ball when presented with an easy chance. Hallen started to put this behind them, and after wasting a free kick in a good position, made amends with the next one when an excellent delivery from Cockram saw Butler unfortunate not to force the ball over the line. It was then the turn of the home team to miss another good chance when firing over the bar as they powered down their right flank. But three minutes later a similar move produced a goal for Whitchurch when the referee’s decision to award a penalty bemused both players and supporters of both sides alike. Just before the half-time whistle, we had the first shot at goal from Hallen as Cook went close as he beat the keeper from twenty yards. The first action of the second period was similar to the end of the first with Cook’s shot brushing the crossbar as he tested his other foot. The standard of passing from both sides was now leaving a lot to be desired but Tovey did create a chance for Cockram who headed over the bar and, later, a slight deflection on a Collett free kick saw the ball graze the wrong side of the post. Hallen then introduced three substitutes in a short period of time which eventually produced their equaliser with five minutes left on the clock. A ball was fed out of the Hallen defence to be pounced on by Hicks who passed it to Lloyd whose delivery into the danger area caused the home defence all sorts of problems resulting in a Whitchurch man rifling the ball into the roof of his own net as the situation needed to be dealt with. Deep into added time there was hope of winning the game when a cross from Collett found the head of Cook. But it wasn’t to be – and that would have been a bit unfair.

 

Goals: Hallen – 85 mins (o.g.) / Whitchurch – 25 mins (pen)

 

Hallen cautions: Cook 58 mins; Kondwani 87 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells; Cockram (Hicks 80 mins); Reid (capt); M Davis; Butler; Cook; DeRosa (Kondwani 83 mins); Collett; Tovey (Lloyd 67 mins); Waugh

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

NOW THAT'S A TEAM PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 19th. August 2014 -

FA Cup (FA Cup Extra Prelim. Rd. - replay)

HALLEN 2 WHITCHURCH UTD. 1

 

The football served up in this replay was far superior to that produced by both teams just seventy-two hours earlier and resulted in Hallen deservedly going through to the next round when they travel to Swindon Super Marine from the Southern League. Tonight we started to come together as a team with everyone upping their game and working hard for one another - a vast improvement and a big step in the right direction.

 

The first strike at goal came from the visitors after fifteen minutes only to be denied by a good block from Wells. This was quickly followed be an excellent save by Burgess from a free kick with a striker wastefully skying the rebound over the bar when he should have scored. But it was Hallen who took the lead after twenty-six minutes when an excellent cross-field pass from Garbacz sent the ball to Wells whose pin-point cross to the far post saw Tovey slide the ball into the six yard box where Collett's intelligent running provided him with a simple tap in. But the visitors refused to lay down as Davis and Reid were called on to put their bodies on the line to block powerful goal-bound efforts. Burgess then caught the eye when a well placed free kick saw the ball entering the top corner of the net before the Hallen keeper sprang high to his left to make a one handed stop. Unfortunately, from the resulting corner, we failed to deal with the incoming ball and a grateful striker converted from eight yards. But the action leading to the break came from Hallen with Cook bringing a save from the keeper and Tovey forcing more heroics from the visiting glovesman as he dealt with a superb shot from distance after a good run from Cockram had created the space for Tovey's shot.

 

Hallen pushed forward right from the start of the second half as a defence splitting pass from DeRosa enabled Wells to get a shot on target. But our boys didn't have to wait long to reap their reward as they regained the lead after sixty-two minutes when Butler, in a right wing position, saw the movement of Collett in the area and tried to find him with his left boot only for the pass to miss the Hallen man. But his run had attracted the attention of the keeper allowing Butler's effort to drift past him and into the goal. For the rest of the game, Hallen decided that the best way to defend their lead was to attack and this refreshing approach saw them finish the stronger as two of the visitors lost their cool with one unnecessarily powering the ball into the stand where, fortunately, no spectator was in the way of his venom. The other visiting player decided to take out his frustration on Butler. Thankfully, at the final whistle, all players sportingly shook hands to conclude our fifth game between one another in the last thirteen months.

 

NB. (for Ollie Butler - well done) Rudyard Kipling - "If you can keep your head when everyone around you is losing theirs ........... then you'll be a man my son".

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 26 mins; Butler 62 mins / Whitchurch 42 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Wells 20 mins; Cockram 40 mins

 

Hallen team: 1 - Burgess; 2 - Wells; 3 - Cockram; 4 - M Davis; 5 - Reid (capt); 6 - Garbacz; 7 - Cook (Hicks 50 mins); 8 - DeRosa; 9 - Collett; 10 - Tovey; 11 - Butler

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN MUST FORGET THE ADAGE "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME"

Saturday 23rd August 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 1 BITTON 2

 

Today we returned to league action as we welcomed Bitton as they made their short trip across the city. The visitors' line-up included Aysa Corrick, the ex Hallen pin-up boy, who during the seasons he wore a blue shirt, thrilled the Moorhouse Lane faithful with his smile, silky skills and speed. But we know only too well what he is capable of so we would be able to combat that wouldn't we? Right from the start this was an end-to-end contest as could be seen from the action in the eleventh minute when Butler chased down a lost cause deep on the right enabling him to deliver a deep miss-hit cross that fooled the keeper only for the ball to strike the far post and rebound to safety. From this position, Bitton played the ball downfield to Corrick who turned the home defence inside out as he ran at them before unleashing a low shot across Burgess with the ball brushing the post as it went out for a goal-kick. Reid then needed to block a goal bound shot from Corrick and, in quick succession, a visiting defender needed to earn his corn by denying Bennett the chance of converting an opportunity created by good work from Collett and Tovey. But it was Bitton who took the lead on twenty minutes with a goal that could only be applauded. It was that man Corrick who broke the deadlock as he went on a thirty yard run performing all his tricks to leave the Hallen defence in his wake before firing in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty area. Five minutes later, Burgess needed to make a smart save to deny a Bitton striker as Corrick became provider. With the break approaching, Hallen went close as Cockram delivered a good free kick that was headed goalward.

 

Three minutes into the second half, Hallen had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after Tovey had been bundled over, but the normally reliable Collett missed with an effort that was high, wide and not particularly handsome. Hallen did get the ball into the net on the hour as a superb pass from Wells saw Butler convert only to be denied by the raised flag of an assistant for offside. The next minute the same two players combined well again only for the home strikers to fail to get on the end of a low cross from Wells delivered to the edge of the six-yard box. Twenty minutes to go and the ball was in the visitors' net again only for Collett's "goal" to be ruled out for offside. Just one minute later Corrick, who had been very subdued this half, had a one-on-one with Burgess but his chipped effort saw the ball on the roof of the net. Bitton then had an excellent chance to put the game to bed as the home keeper brought down a striker, but the spot kick was pulled wide of the post to record a penalty miss for both sides.

 

Hallen quickly punished Bitton for this missed penalty when Burgess rolled the ball out to DeRosa who fed a good ball to Tovey and from there to Bennett whose shot was destined for the net before a slight deflection made the goal more definite. This equaliser was nothing more than Hallen deserved but hearts sank as Bitton were allowed to regain the lead, with just ten minutes left, when an innocuous centre came in from the left, and with Burgess electing to let the ball come to him and collect at chest height, a visiting striker soared in front of the Hallen keeper to ensure his glanced header secured all three points. Football can be a cruel game - only four days earlier a series of fine saves from the keeper were instrumental in securing Hallen's place in the next round of the FA Cup and pocketing £1,500.

 

Goals: Hallen - Bennett 74 mins / Bitton - 20 mins; 80 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Bennett 34 mins; Tovey 54 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells (Hicks 82 mins); Cockram; M Davis; Reid; Butler; Cook; DeRosa; Collett; Bennett (Adams 81 mins); Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN IMPROVE AFTER CHANGING BERTIE BASSETT FORMATION TO MIKE BASSETT

Saturday 30th August 2014 -

FA Cup (Preliminary Round)

SWINDON SUPERMARINE 1 HALLEN 0

 

Today we travelled to Webbsworth Stadium, the home of Swindon Supermarine who are members of the Southern League, as we tried to progress to the next round of the FA Cup. Hallen started the match with a 3-5-2 formation resulting in them conceding an early goal before switching to a more conventional 4-2-4 system halfway through the first period. From then on we knocked the ball around better being more aware of positional play and created a host of chances that had Marine's supporters admitting that the least we deserved to get from the game was a replay. But, there again, if you don't put away your chances ..........

 

Hallen take great pride in the playing surface at Moorhouse Lane, but today's pitch looked an absolute picture as we were greeted by lush green grass the condition of which made you wish it was your own lawn back in Bristol as our lads took up their positions wearing an all orange kit. Things started well for Hallen as, after just three minutes, Mills controlled a ball well before sliding a pass to Collett who spotted the keeper off his line and rifled a powerful shot from a difficult angle only to be denied by a quite remarkable save as the keeper atoned for his positional play. We then had a period of sustained pressure from Marine which saw them hit the post after six minutes and scoring what was to be the only goal of the game a minute later when a striker turned Reid on the edge of the box so as to hit the net with a powerful strike. Marine continued to push forward with the luxury of a man over in all positions on the pitch and it looked like it would be a matter of how many we would lose by. But, after the Hallen goal had survived a few lucky escapes, the visitors changed their formation after thirty minutes and started to look a different team. Ten minutes to half-time, Tovey moved forward to unleash a thirty yard shot that beat the keeper only to go over the bar by six inches. It was now all Hallen as DeRosa and Mills combined well to leave Collett with a one-on-one with the keeper only to drag the effort well wide. There was still time for Butler to want more time than he had to deal with a half chance, and the home keeper to make an excellent stop with his foot as an effort from Mills was destined for the near corner. And so, it was Marine who were relieved to hear the whistle for the break.

 

Straight away Hallen were on the attack again with Collett trying to steer a shot from distance over and round the keeper who loved to stand off of his line, with this action being quickly followed by the visitors just failing to turn a Tovey corner into the goal. Marine then reminded Hallen not to forget their defensive duties as they broke down the right and delivered a low cross to the six-yard box. Collett went closer as he again tried to punish the home glovesman's positional play but it was Marine who should have increased their lead as the unmarked striker missed the target with a header created from a breakaway. Burgess was then called into action to make a fine save low down to his right but, with twenty minutes to play, Collett was gifted probably the best chance of the match when a defender misjudged the flight of the ball leaving the Hallen man to take three touches as he bore down on goal with the advancing keeper the only one in his way. With probably too much time to think about where to place the ball, the keeper was allowed to make the block and another chance had escaped. The game was drawing to a conclusion as Burgess saved well from a point-blank header, a home striker missed an open goal, and Hallen struck a free kick just over the bar with the keeper beaten. But it was not meant to be.

 

 

This was a game that was contested in a good spirit both on and off the pitch and I would like to take this chance to thank our hosts for their impeccable hospitality. It was this, together with their humour, smiles and genuine interest in Hallen FC that ensured an enjoyable afternoon was had by all (in spite of the result!). Marine take our good wishes with them into the next round when they will visit AFC Totton.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Marine - 7 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Tovey 49 mins; Wells 61 mins; Cockram 74 mins; Mills 90 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells (Hicks 80 mins); M Davis; Tovey; Reid; Butler (Hailu 54 mins); Cook; DeRosa; Collett; Bennett (capt) (Cockram 68 mins); Mills

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

YOU HAD BETTER WHISPER IT, "HALLEN WON A LEAGUE MATCH"

Wednesday 3rd September 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

CADBURY HEATH 1 HALLEN 3

 

Tonight we travelled to play Cadbury Heath who have achieved a mixed set of results so far this season. As for Hallen, they arrived at the ground having won just one League game in (I believe) their last twenty-three attempts. But that victory was against Cadbury Heath, a team for whom we usually produce a performance. So we were in with a chance, in spite of being struck by player's unavailability for one reason or another, were we not?

 

Hallen started the game kicking up the slope and soon produced a sweeping move with Hailu delivering the ball to the near post where Collett's shot was blocked by a last minute tackle and from the resulting corner the Hallen striker was unfortunate to have another effort blocked. Cadbury Heath did eventually threaten our goal, but when the shot came in, Butler was well positioned on the line to hack the ball clear. But after just twelve minutes of pressure, Hallen took the lead as intelligent running by Mills enabled him to receive an excellent pass and calmly employ his left boot to chip the ball over the advancing keeper who had tried to close down the danger. Four minutes later it was nearly two when the ploy of route one strategy saw a seventy yard kick from Burgess find Collett whose goalbound effort was put behind for a corner. The home keeper made a good save as he dived low to his left, but on twenty-five minutes he had no chance of denying his opposition when Collett got forward on the right to deliver to the edge of the penalty area where Butler rifled the ball across the keeper and into the corner of the net. With half-time approaching, the Burgess - Collett approach nearly reaped dividends before Cook was on hand to deny Heath during a rare attack.

 

It was with a stroke of good fortune that Hallen scored their third in the first minute of the second period when Mills broke on the left flank to deliver a perfect ball across to Collett who appeared to be a yard offside. But the Hallen man refused to stand around and question the decision as he took two touches before beating the advancing keeper. Sadly, this goal signaled the end of Hallen's attacking approach as they decided to defend their lead but caused themselves problems by sitting too deep and allowing their hosts to come at them. Burgess made an excellent save from Matt Huxley as he tipped a close-range effort over the bar quickly followed by an unmarked striker sliding his effort just wide of the post. Not surprisingly, Cadbury Heath pulled one back as they took full advantage of the space in front of the Hallen defence that was being afforded them by the Hallen men playing too deep. After a first half of total dominance by Hallen it was now looking as if Heath could get something out of the game and, indeed, our boys were again indebted to Burgess for an excellent save from point-blank range. The Hallen keeper was then called into action again as he had to race from his line to deny a forward who looked odds on favourite to get to the ball first. Added time brought more of the same as Davis was called on to deal with the red wave that was constantly rolling on Hallen's beach.

 

Goals: Hallen - Mills 12 mins; Butler 25 mins; Collett 46 mins / Cadbury Heath - 67 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Mills 80 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Butler; M Davis; Cook; Wells; Hailu; Nelmes; Bennett; Collett; Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

"NOT GOOD ENOUGH"

Saturday 6th September 2014 -

WLP

HALLEN 1 ODD DOWN (BATH) 3

 

Having just read the "Sunday Independent", I feel that half of my job has been done for me as I am settling down to write this match report. For those who failed to see it:-

 

"Hallen boss, Paul Owen, was left pulling his hair out post match after his under-performing side failed to build on the midweek performance at Cadbury Heath and slipped to a disappointing home defeat. It had all started so well with Luke Mills firing them into a 12th minute lead. An equaliser just before the break sent the sides into half-time all square and Odd Down took charge in the second half to deservedly depart with the points. Owen said, "It's worrying. We played so well in the FA Cup, stepped up from that in midweek at Cadbury Heath, but then produced this! I shut the dressing room door post match and asked for a meeting to clear the air. Sadly there were not too many cases of hands being held up to accept the blame. Players need to look long and hard at themselves. Individually they are very good, and collectively they can be very good. However, what they served up as a unit today was not good enough for any team, let alone Hallen. The club deserves better than this." The only players to escape the wrath of the boss were central defender Matt Davis and Ashley Bennett."

 

I could describe how elimentary mistakes on the halfway line gifted Odd Down with their first two goals and how their third, although being delightfully set up, should have been avoided. But I don't think this would add anything to the succinct report quoted above. All I would say is 1) that the goal from Mills was extremely well taken from an acute angle, and 2) Cook playing for forty-five minutes in central defence, thirteen minutes in midfield, and the final thirty-two minutes in goal (during which time Odd Down failed to score), showed what a servant he continues to be for Hallen football club.

 

Goals: Hallen - Mills 20 mins / Odd Down - 23 mins; 47 mins; 54 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Tovey 48 mins; Bennett 90 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess (Wilson 58 mins); Butler; Wells; Davis; Hailu (Reid 45 mins); DeRosa (Nelmes 70 mins); Cook; Bennett; Collett; Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN PLAY THEIR PART IN A PULSATING CONTEST

Wednesday 10th September 2014 -

WLP

WILLAND ROVERS 1 HALLEN 0

 

Hallen players were asked to travel to Devon for tonight's fixture against Willard who are always a strong and competent outfit ensuring that anything teams get from them has to be earned. So, with many of our lads making themselves unavailable for one reason or another, it is pleasing if not somewhat surprising, to advise that the team that represented Hallen were outstanding. They played some excellent passing football in a game that ebbed and flowed and it could justly be argued that their performance surpassed that produced at Swindon Supermarine in the FA Cup where, like tonight, we were extremely unfortunate to lose to the only goal of the game. With the Hallen dugout encouraging their players from start to finish, everyone involved should be very proud of what they served up as they gave everything for the club. More of this attitude and the results are sure to come.

 

For the first half Hallen had the added advantage of kicking down the slope as Hallen had a half chance right from the start when a long ball from Burgess was headed on by Collett but Mills failed to get his shot away. Burgess was also instrumental in the next attack of the game, but this time it was in his own penalty area as he made a good reflex save to deny a home striker from ten yards. This was followed by Tovey beating the keeper only for the ball to miss the far angle after he had done well to make the shooting position from just outside the box. It was becoming impossible to take your eyes off of this game for fear of missing something as the Hallen keeper caught the eye again as he tipped a twenty-five yard thunderbolt over his crossbar. As the game progressed Hallen looked better and better with their confidence growing as they passed the ball about accurately and could have taken the lead when the chance created by an excellent cross was squandered. There was still time for more action before the interval as Butler excelled with his attacking duties but needed to be rescued by Burgess later on when the keeper was sold short with a back pass.

 

Proof of this team growing in confidence could be seen in the first minute of the second period when Collett played a good ball inside the defender for Hicks to run on to. It was good to see the young Hallen player take two touches before taking it on his shoulders to shoot at goal where it beat the keeper and had to watch as the ball just missed the far post. A few minutes later and that man Burgess was making a good save low down to his right soon to be followed by a home striker ballooning the ball over the bar from eight yards after a rare mistake from Hailu had set him up. Twenty-five minutes to go and slick passing from Hallen saw them set up their best chance of the game as the ball was fed to Mills who quickly saw the hole that would give him a one-on-one with the keeper but unfortunately he over ran the ball at the vital time. The end of the game was now quickly approaching and, although Willand were looking strong, it looked as though Hallen would pocket a point they deserved. Burgess was looking unbeatable on the night as he kept out a swerving, dipping shot from distance but with just four minutes left, our lads received the cruelest of blows when, from a corner on the left, the ball was struck through a crowded penalty area and past an unsighted Hallen keeper.

 

As mentioned many times in the preceding text, this was an excellent team effort, but it would be amiss of me not to mention the contribution of those drafted in, namely: Hailu, Hill, Wilson and Hicks.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Willand - 86 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Mills 65 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Butler; Hailu; Hill; Reid; Wilson; Cook; Hicks (Adams 82 mins); Collett; Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN LOSE VITAL BASEMENT BATTLE

Saturday 13th September 2014 -

WLP

BISHOP SUTTON 2 HALLEN 0

 

This was an "after the Lord Mayor's show" performance from Hallen in a game that was vital for them to win as they struggle to get away from the bottom of the league table. This performance would always have been viewed as disappointing but it was more so considering the spirited effort produced in midweek against a far more streetwise team. Today nearly everything went wrong. Our passing was atrocious, our positional play left a lot to be desired, players were confused as they received conflicting "advice" from all parts of the ground, we conceded in the last minute of each half, and we hit the woodwork twice. The only plus side was that Odd Down beat Street 4 - 0 ensuring Street finished the afternoon in bottom position on goal difference with Hallen being the team above them.

 

We started the game kicking up the considerable slope and it was not long before Hallen were given a warning as a crossfield pass caught Wilson out of position only for the shot to go narrowly wide of the post. We then had a long period of poor football but Hallen did get their first corner after half-an-hour for which Davis and Reid arrived in the penalty area only for Tovey to deliver the ball short and set Sutton on the break with our main defenders stranded. Thankfully Wilson managed to get back to make a block that denied a certain goal. An injured Burgess had to be replaced by Growcott whose first action was to make a spectacular stop as a shot saw the ball entering the top corner of the net, closely followed by a long clearance to Mills whose shot beat the keeper only for the ball to rebound off of the post. But on the stroke of half-time, Sutton took the lead when they were awarded a free kick in a central position twenty yards from goal. Up stepped the taker who drove the ball low and round the wall into the corner of the net.

 

As you would expect, most of the attacking in the second period came from Hallen as they tried to press down the slope with Hicks hitting a good pass to Butler on the right who failed to get his shot away. But it was Bishop Sutton who went closest to scoring as Growcott made two awful clearances in quick succession only for the gifts to be squandered. Ten minutes to go we put our first move together when a good cross by Wells was headed to the back post by Bennett where a shot from Mills beat the keeper only for the ball to crash against the crossbar and away to safety. Two minutes later, with Hallen on all out attack to get the equaliser, the home keeper brought off a stunning save to deny a well placed drive from Hicks and soon Mills failed to score from probably his best opportunity of the afternoon. Sutton eventually sealed the victory when a mistake by Cook on the halfway line saw them break and score with a deflected shot and the action ended with Cook, trying to make amends, bringing an excellent save from the home keeper.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Bishop Sutton - 45 mins & 90 mins

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Burgess (Growcott 32 mins); Butler; M Davis; Bennett; Reid; Wilson; Cook; Hicks; Collett; Mills; Tovey (Wells 45 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

I SAW THE WILD FOUL FROM SLIMBRIDGE

Tuesday 16th September 2014 -

WLP

HALLEN 1 SLIMBRIDGE 1

 

So far this season you never know what you are going to get from Hallen from one game to the next. It was pleasing therefore that tonight we saw the best from them as they slugged it out toe to toe with the current leaders. All eleven players should be proud of themselves as they finished the match leaving many in the ground feeling they just about shaded this contest. All that matters now is that Hallen build on this performance and ease their way up the table.

 

It was good to see Hallen playing with no fear right from the start with Wells getting forward to earn a free kick. He took the kick himself and delivered the ball over the visiting defence where Reid couldn't quite grow enough to get his header on target. In the thirteenth minute we had the biggest talking point of the game when hard, but fair, challenges were being made in front of the seated spectators only for a visiting player to react by deliberately kicking the Hallen captain after the ball had gone. The referee's whistle was blown in unison with the raising of his assistant's flag so the Slimbridge player should consider himself extremely lucky to be shown just a yellow card in an incident that was seen by both officials. As a result, during the rest of the game, there were a few over zealous tackles from both sides but thankfully we finished with twenty-two players on the pitch! The visitors started to play some good attacking football as Growcott did well to get down low at his near post to stop the ball entering the net at his near post, and they went even closer when sliding the ball in the net from a centre but their celebrations were curtailed when the assistant stood his ground for offside. As we awaited the interval, Harris saw the good running of Mills and Collett and fed the ball through where Collett cut into the penalty area from the left leaving two defenders in his wake before unleashing a powerful shot which saw the keeper make what was to be the first of a hat-trick of outstanding saves. Hallen were now in the ascendancy as Davis powered forward as he was fouled as he set up Collett in a one-on-one with the keeper, but before the glovesman could be tested, the whistle came for the free kick which came to nothing.

 

The second half couldn't have started better for the home side as they scored with a move directly from the kick off before Slimbridge had re-focussed. Harris slid the ball through the middle to Bennett who eased it out to Cook who checked back on the left wing to deliver a cross for Mills to squeeze his header past the keeper and just inside the post. But Hallen's lead was to last just eight minutes as Slimbridge attacked at speed leaving the Hallen men chasing them only for Cook to make a despairing challenge resulting in a penalty being awarded that was converted. Our boys then found themselves with two half chances in quick succession but Collett, and then Mills, wanted too many touches of the ball as they were setting themselves up to shoot. On the hour mark, Slimbridge missed an open goal when a cross came in for the right with the ball finding an unmarked player ten yards from goal whose air shot enabled the ball to be cleared. Collett's speed set him up with a one-on-one with the keeper with twenty minutes to go but, with the striker getting a good shot away, you could only applaud the save. Five minutes later we had an identical situation as Bennett had set up the chance with a quick free kick. Three added minutes were played and at the end of these you wouldn't be surprised to learn that Collett sprinted goalwards from the halfway line to be denied again by an excellent keeper.

 

Goals: Hallen - Mills 46 mins / Slimbridge - 54 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Bennett 30 mins, Harris 75 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Wells; Emery; Davis; Reid; Harris; Cook; Bennett; Collett; Mills; Butler

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

TOVEY LEAVES THE BENCH TO PUNISH WASTEFUL BRIDPORT

Saturday 20th September 2014 -

WLP

HALLEN 1 BRIDPORT TOWN 0

 

Hallen went into this game staring up at sixth placed Bridport from the lowest position in the division as a result of midweek match results going against them. A position that was all the more disappointing after their midweek game against Slimbridge saw our boys produce a spirited performance that earned them a well deserved point against the team that were sitting on the top of the league. On several occasions this season we have deserved something out of a game only to come away with nothing so today it was our turn to inflict the misery on our opponents as Bridport missed half-a-dozen clear cut chances and, when they did get shots on target, were denied by Burgess who was unbeatable. As a result, Hallen move four places up the table from where they are just four points away from mid table.

 

A feature of the first half was the way Bridport could deliver an excellent flat corner to the danger area where their players were arriving unchallenged to find themselves with the chance of scoring if their headers were on target, but thankfully, time after time the strikes were off target and Hallen got away with it. The one time they did put in a goal bound effort, Emery was on the line to make a fine clearance. But Hallen had chances of their own with Collett shooting over the bar and Butler failing to dispatch an excellent cross from Wells before a powerful twenty-two yard shot from Harris brushed the crossbar. As we waited for the arrival of half-time, the Hallen back men started to knock the ball around, a ploy that presented chances to the visitors on two occasions when the final ball was intercepted. This, together with Burgess having to make an excellent save to stop the ball entering his top right hand corner, meant the Hallen supporters went for the break with a feeling of trepidation.

 

The second half started evenly until Hallen made a double substitution on the hour, and with Tovey running at the defence, Bridport looked a lot more wary of our capabilities. After being on the pitch for just ten minutes, he dribbled his way down the left before producing a pinpoint cross only for Collett and Butler to get in each other's way and the ball was headed over the bar. But, after seventy-eight minutes, Hallen took the lead from a move that started and finished with Tovey. The Hallen substitute collected the ball and set off running at the heart of the Bridport defence only to be brought down two yards from the edge of the box. Full of confidence, after taking responsibility from his captain, he struck a powerful shot that was always going to be difficult for the keeper, but the slightest of deflections, ensured that the gloves man had no chance as the ball entered the net in the far corner. Bridport now realised the urgency required as they brought another exceptional save out of Burgess and nearly forced Wells to put through his own goal. But their last chance disappeared in the second minute of added time when their keeper rushed up to take a free kick and, with Hallen failing to deal with it, a Bridport player was presented with an opportunity that resulted in him heading the ball powerfully downwards and had to watch as the ball bounced over the bar.

 

Goals: Hallen - Tovey 78 mins / Bridport - nil

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells; Hill; Davis; Reid; Butler; Harris; Bennett; Collett; Mills (Tovey 60 mins); Emery (Cook 60 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN ALL AT SEA IN DEVON

Saturday 27th September 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BUCKLAND ATH. 2 HALLEN 0

 

In their quest to move up the table, Hallen would have hoped to pick up something from this game against a team who had collected only nine points from their eight league games this season, having won the first three and lost the last five. With just three people in attendance to show their support for Hallen as they travelled to Newton Abbot, it is with regret that I report the fact that we were never at the races. In fact it was always a one horse race as Hallen could only produce one shot on target in the whole ninety minutes as the team were disjointed (no pun intended about Graham being on crutches!) with the oldest player on the pitch the only one to put in a shift. Unfortunately his example failed to persuade his team mates to do likewise.

 

For the start of the game, Hallen were the stronger team but all their possession broke down when the play reached the home defence as the two tall middle men calmly snuffed out any hint of a shot at goal. In fact it was Buckland who could have taken the lead on thirteen minutes when presented with a chance only for the striker to pull the ball wide of the far post. From this point the Hallen players looked confused as to their designated channels and also to those of their colleagues resulting in Buckland wasting another good opportunity on twenty-five minutes when the major danger from last week's game against Bridport continued as we failed to deal with crosses and corners. Consequently the home side took the lead on twenty-nine minutes when awarded a corner from which the ball was hit to the near post where a Buckland man arrived at speed and unopposed to head powerfully into the roof of the net giving Burgess no chance. Three minutes later, we were lucky not to go further behind when, attacking at will, Buckland put in a fierce shot that thankfully crashed against the bar thanks to the slightest of deflections. Inevitably Buckland increased their lead before the break when Hallen lost the ball in midfield leaving slick inter-passing to carve them open as the ball was devastatingly struck from the edge of the box.

 

Some of Buckland's midfield players appeared to tire in the second half but they changed their style of play to carve us open with superb cross-field balls played to either flank and it was one of these moves that brought a good save from Burgess after just seven minutes of the restart. Hallen did carve out a chance with ten minutes left thanks to Cook's never-say-die attitude on the left saw his cross to the far post where Butler's shot went the wrong side of the post. But we continued to give the ball away only for it to be seized on by a grateful Buckland and this was the cause of the home side having the chance to increase their lead with just seven minutes left as the striker was denied by Burgess. In the eighty-ninth minute we saw Hallen's best move as Reid and Cook combined well on the left to feed the ball to Mills who managed to put in our only shot on target. A sad day all round; no points and Wells, Emery and Butler sustaining injuries.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Buckland - 29 mins; 36 mins

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells (Emery 50 mins (Nelmes 75 mins)); Davis; Hill; Reid; Butler; Cook; Digby (Mills 69 mins); Collett; Bennett; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

MILLS IS THE STAR IN HARDWORKING TEAM PERFORMANCE

Saturday 4th October 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

GILLINGHAM TOWN 0 HALLEN 4

 

Today Hallen travelled to Dorset to play an important game against Gillingham who, like ourselves, are languishing at the wrong end of the table. The match, in which we gave a first outing to Clennell, we also needed to put the gloves on defender Hill due to the unavailability of Burgess. But there was no need for trepidation as everybody gave all they could to the cause in regard to effort, Clennell knitted in immediately and even opened the scoring, and Hill did everything that was asked of him including an exceptional save.

 

After experiencing the first rain in weeks during the night, Hallen started the game playing up the slope as Hill was soon called into action to make a smart save low to his right. But the next opportunity fell to the visitors when a bad kick out by the home keeper saw the ball at the feet of Bennett who was quick to see the opportunity but his execution failed to match his quick thinking. On twenty-five minutes Gillingham curled in an excellent cross to the far post only for Clennell to impress as he calmly headed the goal behind to snuff out a dangerous situation. With the game flowing from end to end, Bennett set up a chance for Collett who shot into the side netting, and with two minutes left before the interval, Collett brought an excellent save from the keeper when in a similar position to his previous effort.

 

Hallen upped a gear for the second half as Collett did well to turn his marker before getting a shot on target and as they continued pushing forward Mills missed a good opportunity. But the tension was eased a little in the fifty-eighth when Hallen took the lead thanks to a corner from Collett to the back post where Mills did well to head the ball back into the danger area and Connell was on hand to head home. Hailu should have doubled the lead on seventy minutes as his shot hit the crossbar when well placed, but the miss was not to prove costly thanks to a superb tackle from Reid in his own half saw him release Tovey who was ably supported by Mills who was put through to calmly shoot past the advancing keeper. Four minutes later, Tovey again set up Mills to score his second when his powerful shot looped over the keeper after the ball received a deflection from a defender. It then took an exceptional save from Hill to preserve our clean sheet before Mills completed a ten minute hat-trick when trying a screamer from thirty yards that the keeper didn't have time to see as he was left rooted to the spot just listening to the ball whistling in the air.

 

This result and team performance paled into insignificance when the sad news was received that the mother of Ashley Wells had tragically passed away during the afternoon. Hallen FC always has been, and always will be, a family club first and foremost. So whilst sending our condolences to Ashley and the family, they can be confident that the players and officers of Hallen FC will come together to offer any assistance and support that will be needed to help them through this sad time. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are assured.

 

Goals: Hallen - Clennell 58 mins; Mills 76 mins; 80 mins & 86 mins / Gillingham - nil

 

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Hill; Clennell; Davis; Reid; Hailu; Harris (Wells 77 mins); Cook; Bennett; Collett (Cockram 65 mins); Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   
NO REPORT  
   

 

 

 

HALLEN BEAT LOCAL RIVALS IN BASEMENT BATTLE

Saturday 18th October 2014

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 4 WINTERBOURNE UTD. 1

 

Today, we pitted our wits against our closest rivals in a game where it was vital for us to win ....... and win we did. It is pleasing to report the victory, but even more pleasing was the style with which it was achieved. In the end, with Winterbourne capitulating, it was just a case of how big the winning margin would be. All our lads played well but our two front men, Mills and Collett, not only got themselves on the score sheet but also worked their socks off tracking back and chasing lost causes. They were supported by excellent performances in midfield, where Garbacz was outstanding, and a solid defence. Whilst I am handing out the good house points, I should mention the referee who controlled the game in a very firm, but never strict, manner and was always consistent thus ensuring the players knew exactly what was coming if they stepped out of line.

 

With the game starting at breakneck speed and both teams endeavoring to keep possession, the first chance fell to the visitors only to be denied by an excellent block from Davis. But it was Hallen who took the lead after thirteen minutes when a throw-in on the left saw Mills allow the ball to run past him so one touch would take him past the defender in order to unleash an unstoppable shot from twenty-five yards with the ball entering the top far corner of the goal ..... unstoppable. From this point Hallen took control as Garbacz brought a good save from the keeper after being set up by Mills. But after twenty-seven minutes, Hallen scored their second when a long ball was played over the head of a visiting central defender for Mills to show his speed and hassle the visitor setting himself up for a glorious chip over the keeper who had forced the Hallen man wide.

 

Four minutes later our visitors had a rare attempt on goal when a centre from the right was met perfectly by the head of ex Hallen man, Wilson, who was already turning to celebrate only to be denied by an unbelievable reflex save from Burgess that flipped the ball over the bar for a corner. Ten minutes before the break, Hallen made it three thanks to Garbacz and Cook combining well wide on the right. Clennell joined them and ran ahead to obtain the interest of the defenders allowing Cook to check back onto his left peg and deliver a high cross-come-shot to the far post which deceived the keeper and the ball looped over his head as he groped air. Half-time couldn't come quickly enough for the visitors as Collett raced sixty yards with the ball before being disappointed by the decision not to give a penalty when he hit the deck. Still time for Mills, Collett and Clennell to go close for Hallen and the visitors be denied by a competent block from Burgess as he stretched to deny a goalbound chip.

 

Seven minutes into the second period, Collett must have wondered if he would ever score again after Cook's pass released him to run half the length of the pitch only, after doing everything right, to watch as the ball trickled along the line refusing to enter the net. Ten minutes later, hearts were bleeding for the Hallen striker after his hard work to get to the far post was spotted by Cook whose centre saw Collett throw his body at the ball which somehow looped over the bar. With just twelve minutes left, Winterbourne were reduced to ten players when Sivers, another ex Hallen man, was given his marching orders. But just two minutes later Hallen scored their fourth making for a happy weekend in the Collett household. But they have the referee to thank for it for playing an excellent advantage when Bennett was caught from behind as he set Collett free to draw the keeper and calmly slide the ball into the net. The visitors then scored a consolation goal but it was far too little too late.

 

Goals: Hallen - Mills 13 mins & 27 mins; Cook 35 mins; Collett 80 mins

/ Winterbourne - 82 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Tovey 32 mins; Butler 34 mins; Clennell 79 mins; Digby 86 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Clennell (Hill 80 mins); Butler; Davis; Reid; Digby; Cook (Wells 74 mins); Garbacz; Collett; Mills (Bennett 62 mins); Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN FAIL TO RETAIN TROPHY DESPITE FIGHTING PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 21st October 2014 -

GFA Trophy

SLIMBRIDGE 2 HALLEN 1

 

On a bitterly cold evening, Hallen had to play at Slimbridge needing a victory in order to go into the next round of a competition that they won last season. But with a depleted side, some of whom played really well, all gave everything they could to the cause but in the end it was not enough. We therefore wish our hospitable hosts further success in the competition.

 

The game started with a strong wind blowing down the pitch as Burgess was soon called into action so as to stop a good headed attempt from Slimbridge. Two minutes later, the Hallen keeper hit a long ball to Collett who controlled well whilst spotting the keeper off his line and was unfortunate to see his effort from thirty yards go narrowly wide of the post. Collett soon caught the eye again as he worked well in the left corner to produce a cross that was just a foot too high for one of the Hallen men at the back post to head in. Hallen were looking quite comfortable at the back until the twenty-second minute when, thanks to a combination of sleeping and appealing for offside, a home striker had an easy strike on goal only to thankfully go for power rather than placement. But on thirty minutes the home side took the lead when a shot from twenty-five yards was going to be dealt with by Burgess but that was before before the ball took a deflection after hitting the back of a Hallen defender. Hallen kept working hard with good work by Butler enabling Adams to get in a fierce shot that went just wide of the post. With just three minutes to the break, Hallen grabbed an equaliser thanks to Collett getting into the penalty area where he hit the deck. No complaints from the home defence as the referee immediately pointed to the spot and Collett got up to make no mistake with the spot kick.

 

Fifteen minutes after the beak, Hallen were grateful to Cockram for a superbly timed tackle that saved the day when any slight mistake would have seen a penalty awarded. But Hallen wanted to take the lead only to get caught on the break as they pushed forward and fell to an excellently executed succor punch. They should have made it three soon after when presented with a chance by a Hallen defender only for the home striker to shoot wide. Hallen now went on full-out attack with their best chance coming in the fourth minute of added time when awarded a free kick but the home keeper made an excellent save diving low to his right before just managing to get to a ball that was entering the net via his top left corner.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett (pen) 42 mins/ Slimbridge - 30 mins; 66 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Nelmes 23 mins; Adams 43 mins; Tovey 65 mins;

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells; Cockram; Digby; Reid; Hill; Tovey; Nelmes (Hicks 53 mins); Collett; Adams (Mills 62 mins); Butler

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN HAD THE CHANCES TO TAKE BRISLINGTON'S RECORD

Saturday 25th October 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERNLEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BRISLINGTON 1 HALLEN 0

 

Hallen travelled across the city to Ironmould Lane where they played Brislington who were undefeated in their previous twelve league games. With Hallen still trying to build some consistent form, this was bound to be a difficult game but we had the opportunities to come away with at least a point, maybe even three, as the majority of the second half was contested in the Brislington half.

 

Hallen started the game by kicking down the slope but it was their hosts who caught the eye with their slick inter-passing and their good running off the ball which led to them opening the scoring after twenty minutes when a ball was hit to the left where Cook and Davis left it to one another. Consequently, the Brislington player nipped in to get to the ball before them and pull it back to give a striker the simple task of driving past Burgess. Worryingly, an identical move two minutes later saw the ball just miss the far post, soon to be followed by a misplaced pass from Davis setting up another shot that was well saved by Burgess. This may sound as though Hallen were being completely outplayed but that was not the case as they slugged it out in the engine room only for visiting players to make mistakes that set up goal scoring opportunities that are, after all, the incidents that sell newspapers. With half-time approaching, Tovey at last decided to take the game to Brislington as he skipped around five home players before bringing a good save from the keeper. On forty minutes, Garbacz, who earlier had failed to go down after a clash of heads, needed to have running repairs to stop the blood flowing from his head as he was turned into Paul Ince with the bandaged head look. Nowadays when players lay on the floor with a broken nail or a ladder in their sock, who would you want in YOUR lifeboat?

 

Ten minutes into the second period, Garbacz had to be patched up again as necessity dictated that he had to head the ball in order to play his part in Hallen's upsurge in their attacking policy. Obviously, pushing men forward left vulnerability at the back and Brislington should have increased their lead when Reid gifted an opportunity as he failed to put enough weight on a ball back to his keeper. Sixty minutes on the clock and Hallen created the opportunity for which they were craving. It was beautifully created as a ball came to Collett on the halfway line, a touch inside to Mills who returned the ball inside the full back to Collett who had made his move. Racing forward with just the keeper in the way of the goal, the Brislington contingent were resigned and the Hallen following hopeful, only for the shot to go wide of the goal. A few minutes later, Hallen went close again when good work from Cook saw the ball played to Mills inside the penalty area but good marking ensured that the Hallen man failed to get the required power in his shot. Shortly afterwards, Tovey and Collett combined well on the left to provide Mills with another chance in the box but his shot went inches wide of the post as half of the crowd thought it was in the net. With the clock winding down, Hallen were still creating chances with Mills supplying Tovey whose shot went wide of the far post.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Brislington - 20 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Digby 53 mins; Reid 72 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Clennell {Cockram 63 mins); Butler: Davis; Hill (Reid 21 mins); Digby; Cook (Hicks 69 mins); Garbacz; Collett; Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN WIN ENTERTAINING CUP TIE

Tuesday 28th October 2014 -

Les Philips Prelim. Rd.

HALLEN 3 PORTISHEAD 2

 

This was an entertaining game during which Portishead belied there League position as they took Hallen to the wire with team spirit and camaraderie. As always with a wet surface, there was much excitement in a high tempo game.

 

Right from the start, the Portishead supporters got behind their team as they clapped and cheered and encouraged with only positive comments. As a result of leaving any negativity behind, their players responded positively and believed in themselves, but it was Hallen who went close to scoring as Mills had an effort cleared off the line when he met a corner from the right. The home side then took the lead on eighteen minutes thanks to an excellent cross to the far post by Collett where Tovey jumped and, after appearing to hang in the air for an eternity, headed the ball powerfully into the far top corner. We then had an even passage of play during which the visitors should have scored when a striker was set up by an awful back-pass by a Hallen defender whose blushes were spared by the shot not being on target. But Portishead found an equaliser five minutes before the break when Hallen old boy, Josh White, was not closed down in midfield allowing him to run through the middle before unleashing a powerful shot from twenty-five yards that flew into Burgess's top left hand corner of the goal.

 

Minutes into the second half, Hallen produced an excellent move with Wells feeding DeRosa who sent Collett clear on the right from where a goalbound effort was saved. But the lads from Moorhouse Lane regained the lead several minutes later when Collett delivered a beautiful flat corner to the far post where Mills had the simple task of getting his head on the ball and he duly obliged to register his ninth goal of the season. Our visitors, still receiving encouragement from the terraces, reacted immediately resulting in Burgess having to make two fine saves low to his left as he preserved his team's lead. The tension was lifted on sixty-five when Hallen increased their lead thanks to Davis sending Collett down the right from where he slid the ball inside to Mills whose skillful drag back gave him a shooting opportunity that was blocked. Thankfully, the ball rebounded back to DeRosa who was arriving in a central position on the edge of the box from where he calmly measured up his shot to deposit the ball low into the corner of the net. The game was now winding down but the final whistle was not blown before Burgess needed to make two more excellent blocks or before Portishead struck a delightful free kick into the top corner of the net. Hallen now visit Brislington in the next round.

 

Goals: Hallen - Tovey 18 mins; Mills 52 mins; DeRosa 65 mins

/ Portishead - 40 mins; 88 mins.

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells; Cockram (Butler 46 mins); Clennell; Davis; Nelmes (Wilson 68 mins); Adams (DeRosa 46 mins); Garbacz; Collett; Mills; Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

GROWCOTT SAVES WHILST MILLS KILLS

Saturday 15th November 2014 -

Les Phillips Cup Round 1

BRISLINGTON 1 HALLEN 2

 

Matches between Hallen and Brislington are always close and hard fought affairs and today's game was no exception in spite of our hosts' excellent form and the fact that Hallen again had a shed load of players unavailable for a variety of different reasons. Inadvertently, this may have been a good thing because those who entered the battle were really committed to the cause and the football club resulting in an excellent victory, the joy of which could be clearly seen on the faces of the Hallen players and supporters alike. What you might call a true team performance.

 

On a heavy pitch, Hallen started by kicking down the slope and were the first to shoot at goal after seven minutes when good build up play by Growcott, Collett, and Hicks finished with a shot from Bennett. This was soon to be followed by a storming run from the back by Davis who passed to Mills whose exquisite curling cross to the far post saw Hailu go close. Hallen continued with their good build up play and it was only an excellent low save from the keeper that denied Bennett giving Hallen the lead, but after thirty minutes our boys were nearly caught on the break when a mistake on the halfway line by the Hallen captain needed Reid to rectify the situation at the death. Three minutes later we saw the first of several outstanding saves from Growcott as he dived low to his left to turn away a powerful shot that had goal written all over it. This was quickly followed by the Hallen keeper showing that he was equally competent with reflex saves as he thrust out his arm to stop the ball entering the net. And so the teams went in for the break without scoring.

 

Six minutes into the second half, Hicks showed what he is capable of when in confident mood when he cut in from the left so as to fire the ball low across the keeper from where Collett couldn't quite reach it as the ball brushed the wrong side of the post. But it was Brislington who took the lead on sixty-three minutes when a Hallen man failed to get a strong enough head on a centre from a free kick leaving Growcott with little chance to save a thunderous strike into the roof of the net from twenty-five yards. A few minutes later Brislington could have taken the lead after being gifted a chance by Davis, but in a one-on-one situation, Growcott was again victorious as he came out to spread himself. Hallen kept sweeping forward and deservedly leveled the tie with just ten minutes left when our substitute delivered the ball from the right for Bennett's cushioned touch which saw the striker's brain of Mills come into play enabling him to be first to the ball and lift it high over the keeper before coming down safely in the back of the net. All out attack now from both sides as Brislington shot just wide and Cook whistled one past the post. Again Growcott was called on to perform at his best but deep into added time it was the name of Hallen that would be going into the hat for the next round as Mills powered his way into the penalty area to make space for a calm finish past the keeper.

 

Goals: Hallen - Mills 80 mins & 90+4 mins/ Brislington - 63 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Wells; Butler; M Davis; Reid; Hailu; Cook; Bennett; Collett (Mildon 63 mins); Mills; Hicks

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN LEAD TWICE BUT LOSE

Saturday 22nd November 2014 -

FA Vase round 2

ODD DOWN 3 HALLEN 2

 

Heavy rain in Hallen during the morning left everyone expecting the game to be called off, but all were delighted to hear otherwise resulting in the game taking place on a heavy but perfectly playable surface. Both teams started with skilful passing leading to Hallen taking the lead after just six minutes, and what a sublime goal it was. Cook won the ball on the halfway line from where he played it to Hicks whose first-time flick found Collett. The Hallen man's pass found Mills who fed the ball inside the full back to Hailu, who was the spare man, and he calmly slotted the ball across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Unfortunately, this lead lasted for just four minutes with our hosts drawing level when a cross from the right saw Burgess come for a ball that he was never going to get and the Odd Down striker had the simple task of heading it over the keeper's head. Worryingly, Odd Down's front players then started to show their undoubtable skill and pace, but it was Hallen who scored the next goal as a result of Bennett trying an overhead kick in the penalty area. The ball struck the hands of his marker whose arms were high above his head therefore giving the referee no option to award the spot kick as the modern ruling is "arms in an unnatural position". Collett stepped up to make no mistake from the spot.

 

Ten minutes into the second half we saw thirty seconds of action that was the turning point of the game. Hailu had the ball on the left flank from where he played it inside to Collett whose low strike brought an excellent low save from the keeper. The ball was immediately moved to the other end of the pitch for the Simpson boys to show their ball control and inter-passing resulting in the Hallen keeper taking the ball out of the back of the net. We then had several near misses around the Hallen goal but Odd Down took the lead for the first time in the game after seventy minutes when the Hallen defence failed to produce a player with the determination to be responsible to deal with the cross from a corner and deadly finishing reaped the reward. Hallen now pushed everybody forward but, as Bennett went close, Odd Down should have increased their lead when Burgess stayed on his line waiting for the ball to come to him allowing a home striker to nip in. This was yet another game this season that Hallen lost because they were not "streetwise". At all levels of football, it is becoming increasingly common to see players trying to influence officials into dismissing opponents by haranguing the referee in an effort to maximise punishment. Thankfully not all players are this way inclined but we need to have a level playing field. The easiest way is for the sporting players to lower their standards, but for me that would be disastrous. Audible bad language emanating from the pitch has been ignored for too long resulting in the problem we have today and we cannot allow players influencing officials to continue.

 

It is time that pressure is brought to bear on guilty players to stop this unsporting behaviour. And there you have it ................. the views of an old man who will continue to bang his drum on these standards because of his love for, what was, the beautiful game.

 

Goals: Hallen - Hailu 6 mins; Collett (pen) 31 mins / Odd Down - 10 mins; 55 mins; 70 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Hicks 10 mins; Davis 89 mins

 

Hallen dismissal (2 cautions): Bennett 78 mins & 90 mins

 

Hallen team: Burgess; Wells; Butler; M Davis; Reid; Hailu; Cook (Snook); Bennett; Collett; Mills (DeRosa 60 mins); Hicks (Milden 72 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HICKS COMES OF AGE IN A GAME HALLEN DESERVED TO WIN

Saturday 28th November 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

MELKSHAM TOWN 1 HALLEN 1

 

Today, Hallen had another test of their resolve as, once again, players were unavailable to be named in the squad that was sent to Melksham to compete against a team that are riding high at the top of the table. It is therefore pleasing to report that the starting line-up, and the three substitutes that joined the battle, were immense as they gave their all as they were totally committed to good passing football that unsettled and worried the league leaders. So much so that they should consider themselves unlucky not to have left the ground with a victory. No doubt their admirable attitude, together with the result, will concern those who pick and choose when they are available.

 

The Melksham keeper was the first called into action after just five minutes when creative football saw the combative qualities of Mills ease the ball to DeRosa who quickly saw the movement of Collett whose shot was destined for the net before the glovesman made a good full length save. Four minutes later, Hallen again went close to scoring courtesy of good work by Hicks and Collett leading to a cross that was scrambled off the line. Completely against the run of play, a good chance fell to Melksham after twenty minutes when Clennell inexplicably passed the ball into his own penalty area but Cook and Hill sniffed out the danger and came to the rescue. Hicks was having an excellent game thanks to his growing confidence gained from his skill paying dividends as his deep cross to the far post saw a header from Mills loop just over the bar. The play so far was summed up by the worried shout that now came from the home dugout of "Come on. Hallen want it more than you in every single part of the pitch". Unfortunately, Melksham then took a lead that they didn't deserve after thirty-six minutes when Clennell gave the ball away on the halfway line and a quick break in numbers and a clinical finish saw the ball in the net. Half-time came with the tenacity of Mills creating a shot for Hicks from twenty yards but his rasping strike saw the ball take the paint from the top of the bar with the keeper motionless.

 

Hallen started the second half continuing with their creative play and this soon led to the Melksham keeper needing to smother the ball at DeRosa's feet as he powered into the penalty area. After fifty-four minutes Hallen deservedly equalised and what a sublime goal it was. The play was wide on the left when a ball was played inside to Hicks whose skill in letting the ball run across him in order to deceive his marker, as his momentum allowed him to find a shooting position, was a joy to watch. The fact that his strike across the keeper from twenty-five yards found the net was just reward. For a minute after this equaliser, Hallen let their concentration slip and it needed a great full length save from Hill to deny the home side. But Hallen were soon back on song as Collett shot just wide when receiving the ball from Mills as the strikers tried to make the most of a two-on-two situation. As the game continued, we started to see more action around the Hallen goal with Butler clearing off the line on two separate occasions. Not to be outdone, Tovey created a chance with good work on the right but it was then Melksham's turn to scrape the ball off the line. Both teams were now going for the winner and with a Hallen player on the ground suffering from cramp, as the game continued, it was uplifting to see the Melksham no. 5 dealing with his opponent's discomfort. An action that leaves the player with great credit and one for which he should be commended. Two minutes before the final whistle, Hallen should have taken the lead when Butler powered forward and pulled the ball back only for the shot to miss the target when there was just the keeper to beat.

 

Goals: Hallen - Hicks 54 mins / Melksham - 36 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Clennell 82 mins

 

Hallen team: Hill; Clennell; Butler; Hailu (Tovey 45 mins); Reid; M Davis (Harris 26 mins); Cook; DeRosa (Corrish 60 mins); Collett; Mills; Hicks

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

PITY THAT HALLEN PRODUCED A LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE FOR THEIR MANAGER'S SWANSONG

Saturday 6th December 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

HALLEN 0 SHERBORNE TOWN 3

 

Hallen's manager, Paul Owen, advised his players before the start of this game that it was to be the final one of his second stint at the helm. Admittedly we lost three key players to injuries during the contest, but what was served up was nothing short of an insult to a manager who has always put his heart and soul into anything he has done for Hallen F.C. over the last twenty years and more. Thankfully, he intends to continue as a committee member where his input will continue to work for the good of the football club, but in the meantime, may I wish Paul good luck for the future as I thank him for his hard work and cheerful disposition during a difficult spell. We now welcome Steve Winter who is to take over. No doubt we will all get behind him as efforts are made to climb up from our perilous position in the league.

 

After just twelve minutes, Hallen needed to substitute their striker, Mills, who left the pitch with a bad injury to his shoulder necessitating the introduction of DeRosa and the need for the formation to be adjusted. From that point it became clear that all of the Hallen players would need to put in a shift in order to get anything from the game but unfortunately it soon became apparent that some would not be rolling up their sleeves so as to recover possession after they had lost the ball. Subsequently, the visitors took the lead on twenty-five minutes from a move that started from an excellent cross-field pass on the halfway line that saw them sweep forward in numbers, unopposed, with the end result being an unmarked striker hitting the ball past a shell shocked Growcott from twelve yards out. Three minutes later, Sherborne should have increased their lead as a result of Hallen not tracking back thus having a knock-on affect on the positional play of the midfield and defence which in turn left unmarked opponents in and around the penalty area. But the second goal soon came in similar circumstances to the first with Growcott not having a snowball's chance in hell of saving it. As we awaited the half-time whistle, Hallen needed Growcott to produce a swallow dive to his left in order to tip a shot around the post.

 

To make things worse, Wells left the action for the second half with a suspected broken bone in his foot, and fifteen minutes later, in a game that was never dirty, DeRosa left the pitch to be taken for an x-ray on a suspected cracked rib. In a game best forgotten, the visitors scored their third with twelve minutes left when a centre saw the ball go over the defence to an opponent who calmly lobbed the ball over the Hallen keeper and into the empty net. Unfortunately, we now have an away game against Bradford Town on Wednesday night for which all three substituted players will not be fit. The task ahead is not going to be easy.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Sherborne - 25 mins; 35 mins; 78 mins

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Clennell; Wells; Harris; Reid; Garbacz; Cook; Tovey; Corrish; Mills; Hicks Hallen subs used: 12 mins - DeRosa for Mills; Butler for Wells 45 mins; Mildon for DeRosa 60 mins

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

IT'S A GAME OF TWO HALVES

Wednesday 10th December 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BRADFORD TOWN 5 HALLEN 2

 

In a first half where Hallen failed to score whilst shipping four goals, it was surprising that we came out of the starting blocks much faster than our hosts, but that was soon to change. A poor corner from Hicks after twelve minutes saw the ball worked to the other end at speed as the main Hallen defenders were caught out of position resulting in a clinical finish in a one-on-one situation with Growcott. Just eight minutes later, Bradford should have increased their lead as a striker failed to capitalise on ball played over the Hallen defence. But this didn't prove to be a costly miss because Bradford were soon gifted a penalty when a defender dived in to stop a skillful dribble in the penalty area and took the player's legs. The penalty was tucked away into the corner. Hallen were looking lost and shell shocked as the could have conceded again in the next minute but after having to wait just another sixty seconds a corner was delivered from the right and the ball was headed home by a completely unmarked striker on the penalty spot. Thirty-seven minutes and it was becoming Humiliation with a capital "H" as Bradford took advantage of Hallen failing to clear their lines. The only plus side of the first half was Collett going close with two strikes from distance as we awaited the interval.

 

With Bradford taking their foot off the gas and Hallen players obviously smarting from hearing a few home truths in the break, the second half was a completely different affair starting with Collett spurning a good chance before another Hallen effort had to be headed off the line. Growcott then had to make a good save leading to Collett arriving at the far post to punch home an accurate cross from the right. With Hallen now making a mockery of their first half performance, Butler started pushing forward and was unlucky to see a shot curl just wide at the last minute. This action was quickly followed by the home keeper having to make a smart save to deny Mills, but with fourteen minutes left any hopes of a mini revival were dashed when Hallen conceded a second penalty of the night and this one was more debatable. From the spot, Growcott made a fine block but was unfortunate to see the ball rebound to the taker who was left with the simple task of knocking the ball past a prostrate keeper. As we awaited the final whistle, Growcott was called into action to keep the score a bit more respectable, before Mills converted a cross from the right in added time.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 57 mins; Mills 90+2 mins /

Bradford - 12 mins; 24 mins (pen); 26 mins; 37 mins; 76 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Tovey 60 mins; Reid 68 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Clennell; Callum?; Butler; Reid; Digby; Cook; Tovey; Collett; Adams (Mills 60 mins); Hicks

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN IN WINTER WONDERLAND

Saturday 13th December 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

HALLEN 2 WILLAND 1

 

"I hope to get some positive early touches this afternoon. The first four touches I had last Wednesday was to pick the ball out the back of the net", commented Adam Growcott when talking to me before the game. I didn't realise how prophetic this was to be until I witnessed his first four touches today. They came within the first twelve minutes in the form of quite outstanding saves, each of which was probably not bettered anywhere in the Toolstation Western League this afternoon. This cameo served to keep Willand at bay and make them think scoring was going to be impossible whilst inspiring the Hallen outfield players. Congratulations must go to the new Hallen manager and his team in the dugout, together with the players, for their hard work in earning three points from Willand who I consider to be the best team in the league. I would like to add "the future's bright, the future's orange", but we played in blue today.

 

Barely a minute on the clock and Growcott was diving low to his right to stop a shot from easing inside his near post and, with Willand showing skillful build-up play, the Hallen gloves man was soon to show his versatility with a full length save to his left as he pushed the ball around the post for a corner. The visitors continued to press forward always working the ball to find a man over which brought an incredible reflex save from Growcott followed by an equally creditable stop with his feet to deny the visitors from the corner. Just twelve minutes on the clock and the Hallen goalkeeper was at it again with a top drawer save low down to his right. Hallen started to compete from now as they upped their game and Willand became disillusioned. They could even had taken the lead on twenty-two minutes when a long free kick from Hicks found Collett whose good control created himself a shooting opportunity that saw the ball go over the bar. Half an hour gone and their was another chance, this time for Mills, but he was denied by a good last minute block. With Hallen pushing forward, they were caught on the break leaving Willand a one-on-one with Growcott. Maybe the striker imagined an "S" on the keeper's jersey or his underpants outside his shorts, but whatever it was, a glorious chance was blasted wide.

 

Four minutes into the second period there was an unbelievable miss from the visitors as the ball was fired over the bar from six yards when we failed to deal with a corner. But Hallen were matching their opponents as Tovey set Collett away only for his first touch to let him down and allow the keeper to smother the ball. For the first time in the last forty-five minutes, Hallen allowed Willand to work the ball to the man over on the edge of the box and his precise shot saw the ball fly into the top corner of the net. Just fifteen minutes left and the Hallen keeper was called to excel again as he tipped a shot over the bar. But motivated from the dugout, this was not the end of Hallen as the speed of Collett set up an excellent chance for Corrish who fired over the bar. Nine minutes to go and Hallen reaped the reward of their hard work when a delightful cross from the right by Cook was powered home by Butler who arrived at the far post. Three minutes to go saw more action around the Willand penalty area as Tovey arrived at speed only to be chopped down just inside the box resulting in the defender receiving his marching orders and a penalty awarded. Up stepped Collett who made no mistake before his team piled on top of him to offer their congratulations. Thankfully, Hallen then wound the clock down as we played four added minutes.

 

Goals: Hallen - Butler 81 mins; Collett (pen) 87 mins /

Willand - 68 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Harris 27 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Harris (Hailu 65 mins); Butler; M Davis; Reid; Digby (capt); Cook; Tovey; Collett; Mills (Corrish 58 mins); Hicks (Clennell 85 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALF-TIME TALK NEEDED BEFORE KICK OFF

Saturday 20th December 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

HALLEN 2 SHEPTON MALLET 4

 

I don't know what Steve Winter says to his team at half-time but he should bottle it and apply for a patent. Including this one, he has been in charge for three games now and in each, his men have upped their work-rate considerably for the second period resulting in Hallen winning the second half against Bradford Town by 2 - 1 (having been 0 - 4 down at the interval), winning the last forty-five minutes when playing Willand Rovers by 2 - 1 (no score at half-time), and today drawing the second half 2 - 2 (having been 0 - 2 down at the break). In fact it was disappointing that we did not get anything out of today's game having got back on to level terms before conceding two late goals as a result of pushing forward in an effort to get the winning goal ourselves. A ploy that should not be criticised as it brought us the victory against Willand.

 

At the start, it could be seen that the visitors had Steve Phillips in goal whose professional career included many games for both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. But considering Growcott's recent form between the sticks for Hallen, I feel sure that nobody would have wanted the two keepers to change places. No fear then as we awaited kick-off.

 

Unfortunately we were to concede after just two minutes in a bizarre incident that was aided by Hallen's naivety. Reid was lucky to escape a caution as he illegally halted the run of an opponent resulting in a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. With the Hallen wall not back the required ten yards and the referee saying "wait for the whistle", the kick was taken, the ball bouncing off the wall. Instead of kicking it clear, the Hallen players stayed still waiting for the retake only for the referee to play on resulting in Hallen never regaining their formation or composure as the ball was deposited into the back of the net. For the rest of the half play was fairly even but with the visitors looking the more likely to score. This they did in added time as a clever reverse pass saw a low cross into the danger area and Cook could only put the ball into his own net as he made a valiant attempt to deny the Shepton striker.

 

Just one minute into the second half, Hallen were gifted a goal when a defender under hit an awful pass back to his keeper and Collett was quick to chase it down and make a brave challenge on the keeper resulting in the ball coming from his boot and entering the empty net. Ten minutes later Collett nearly scored again as his shot missed the far post by inches after being set up by a skillful drag back from Mills. Just fifteen minutes to go and a Shepton player should have done better when presented with a one-on-one with the Hallen keeper. This was soon followed by the Shepton followers jumping to their feet to acknowledge a goal as a sweet strike was entering the top corner of the net only for the applause to be lauded to Growcott for a phenomenal save followed by a brave block to deny a goal. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Hallen drew level thanks to Cook being on hand to force a cross over the line. Now with their tails up, Hallen went for the winning goal only to concede in the eighty-seventh minute and again one minute later.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 46 mins; Cook 80 mins / Shepton Mallet - 2 mins; 45+1 mins; 87 mins; 88 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Tovey 23 mins; Clennell 52 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Harris; Butler; M Davis (Clennell 31 mins); Reid; Mortimore; Cook; Tovey; Collett (Hailu 65 mins); Corrish; Hicks (Mills 48 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

HALLEN GIVE AWAY PRESENTS WHEN WE NEEDED THEIR PRESENCE

Saturday 26th December 2014 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BRISTOL MANOR FARM 5 HALLEN 0

 

Today was a Bank Holiday encounter against local rivals; you know, the sort of game where players shouldn't need to be motivated. With Manor Farm at the top of the division and Hallen just off the bottom and only a short distance of a couple of miles between the grounds, players should be moving heaven and earth to do their part in collecting the bragging rights on offer. Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that the lads from the Creek were more than up for it whereas Hallen were unbelievably let down by players who went AWOL both before the game and on the pitch. Make no mistake, Farm are a very good team who have the players to take advantage of the space they were offered so, as this is the season of good will, I will just say that those who signed for Hallen need to take a good look at themselves. The only good statistic to come from this game was that, once again, Hallen were undefeated in the second half.

 

Hallen who started the game by kicking up the slope in pouring rain, soon conceded the first goal after just eight minutes as a result of losing the ball when going forward and being hit by excellent interpassing as Farm broke at speed before the ball was hit across Growcott and into the corner of the net by the man over. In fact this was to become a feature of the game - as Hallen went forward we always had four back men marking two opponents, but when we lost the ball, this was quickly turned into four back men having to mark five or six as a result of the speed with which the home midfield surged forward whilst the Hallen players failed to track back. Seventeen minutes and Farm score their second in identical circumstances. Ten minutes later, Tovey brought a good save from the keeper as a shot from distance hit the skiddy surface just in front of him necessitating some last minute adjustment. From the resulting corner and with everybody in the ground waiting for a penalty to be given for a two handed push on Tovey, there was no whistle and again Farm raced to the other end as Growcott was left with no chance of making the save. It would not have been a fair reflection of the game, but at this point we could have been looking at Hallen being 1 - 2 down and not the 0 - 3 that they actually were.

 

Just one minute later, the home side notched their fourth goal as a result of again breaking at speed and their man over having the luxury of walking the ball around a shell shocked Hallen keeper. Three minutes later the score should have been five but the home player, who was ten yards out and an open goal at his mercy, managed to hit the post. Collett then brought a save from the keeper, but as we waited for the break, Farm scored their fifth when we lost the ball on the halfway line resulting in the home midfield overpowering the Hallen defence to put the ball in the net. After just one minute of the second half, Farm continued the onslaught as an effort hit the post. Hallen's afternoon descended into the abyss on seventy-two minutes when an unnecessary and savage challenge from Whittaker ensured that the last eighteen minutes would be played with the visitors fielding one less player. During this remaining time, Farm missed several open goals and Growcott made several good saves, but after lessons are learned, this day is best forgotten. Hopefully we will be different when we meet again at Moorhouse Lane on Good Friday.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / BMF - 8 mins; 17 mins; 29 mins; 30 mins; 44 mins

 

Hallen cautions: S Knight 29 mins; Reid 36 mins; Tovey 49 mins

 

Hallen sending off: Whittaker 72 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Mortimore; Butler; Wells (Nelmes 40 mins); Reid; DeRosa; Cook; Tovey; Collett; S Knight (Hicks 46 mins); Whittaker

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

FLICKS, TRICKS & KICKS AS HICKS LICKS SUTTON

Saturday 10th January 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 5 BISHOP SUTTON 0

 

Today we played our first match of 2015 and, with it being between the divisions two bottom teams, the result was of massive importance. The margin of victory or defeat was not the be all and end all - it was all about the result. Well, after a closely contested first period, Hallen took charge in the second half in order to run out comfortable winners, but having said that, both sides squandered numerous opportunities of which Hallen took advantage of enough so as to move up a place in the table. Blooding many new signings, it was good to see the work-rate of the home side as they produced a "we're in it together" mentality.

 

The first chance on goal fell to Hallen after just eleven minutes when the tenacity of Harris saw the ball with Collett who set up Hawkins only for the shot to be wide of the target. We then had to wait a further fifteen minutes until the next chance, this time for the visitors as they played the ball inside a home defender, only for the winger to drag his shot wide of the far post. Hicks then took charge when Hallen were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area only for his effort to miss the post by a foot after he did well to get the ball over the wall. Soon after it looked as though Hallen would break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty after Tovey was upended after being sent on his way by Hawkins, but it wasn't to be as the keeper made a good stop to deny Collett from the spot. Seven minutes to the break and Hallen starting to look the stronger side, they nearly gifted Bishop Sutton a goal when a defensive error offered the visitors a one-on-one with Gribble in the home goal but as a goalbound shot came in, the home keeper reacted well to thrust out a right foot and save the day. We now went into added time as Hallen took the lead thanks to a rebound off of Digby setting up Collett who made no mistake from twenty-two yards.

 

Two minutes after the restart Digby and Tovey combined well to set up Hicks whose effort went just wide of the post. But we had to wait for just a couple of minutes before Hallen doubled their lead when the referee played a good advantage to send Tovey on a dribbling run to the goal line before pulling the ball back to give Hawkins a tap in. The same Hallen man should have scored again when he failed to capitalise on a pinpoint pass from Cook, but he was soon to make amends as he received a ball from a resurgent Butler before setting up Hicks whose low shot was fumbled by the keeper as the ball was allowed into the net. It was all Hallen now as Hicks set up Collett with a one-on-one only for the ball to be hit wide, this being quickly followed by Hicks being guilty of a similar miss after good work from Butler and Tovey. Bishop Sutton were still working hard as they missed a golden opportunity after a defensive mistake from Hallen with twenty minutes left to play. But almost immediately, Hallen scored their fourth when Hicks finished off the good build up play from Butler and Tovey. The afternoon's scoring was completed with Hallen's fifth when some excellent inter-passing between Hicks and Hawkins finished with Hicks scoring with a low strike from the edge of the box to complete his hat-trick.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 45+1 mins; Hawkins 49 mins; Hicks 58 mins, 68 mins & 71 mins; / Bishop Sutton - nil

 

Hallen caution: Mortimore 82 mins

 

Hallen team: Gribble; Williams; Butler; M Davis (Hill 61 mins); Harris (Smallman 61 mins); Digby; Cook; Tovey; Collett; Hawkins (Mortimore 71 mins); Hicks

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN PRODUCE A PERFORMANCE HONED ON THE GOLF COURSE

Saturday 17th January 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BRIDPORT 0 HALLEN 0

 

Hallen travelled to Dorset today and produced a performance akin to golf. The Tigers in midfield helped to create an above par performance with everyone chipping in. We saw some excellent approach work and it was so cruel in the closing stages when Butler travelled a fairway with the ball only to see his powerful drive come back off the wood. Now that really was finishing in the rough.

 

Hallen had an opportunity to take the lead after eight minutes when the vision of Digby set up Hawkins only for his shot to go wide of the target. As our men continued to press forward at every opportunity, the same two Hallen players combined again this time the powerful shot from Hawkins being tipped over the bar. Bridport then had two chances to score that were gifted to them as a result of choosing the inexcusable option of passing inside when pressing forward but thankfully one shot was wide and the other was snuffed out by Tovey as he performed his defensive duty. Hallen were looking creative as they deftly clipped balls over the home defence but the striking men were just short of the necessary close control in order to take the lead. But we had a scare on twenty-seven minutes when a bad clearance from Growcott led to an attack on our goal that was terminated at the last minute by an excellent challenge from Reid. The half-time whistle was preceded by an overhead kick that went over the bar at each end, and finally, Bridport missing an open goal from ten yards out.

 

Just one minute after the restart, Butler created a good chance as he raced down the wing and pulled a cross to the danger area but nobody was on hand to finish the move. Another opportunity soon followed when Digby put Williams in the clear as he surged forward only for his control to let him down as he entered the penalty area with the keeper to beat. Three minutes later saw an identical situation as Duracell Digby fed Collett who failed to capitalise. It looked as if Hallen were going to reap their just deserts with just four minutes to go when a cross from Hawkins found the head of Collett but he could only head over the bar when in yards of space. The game now went into added time as Butler hit the bar; something that has been mentioned in the first paragraph and is still too painful to describe again!

 

Today we were the better side and deserved all three points but, to be fair, when Bridport played us at Moorhouse Lane earlier in the season, they were the better side and we sneaked a win. Over the two encounters we each deserved three points so, with Bridport collecting one and Hallen four, we should have no complaints overall as we set off to drive home and have our tee!!

 

Goals: Nil

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Reid (Mortimore 65 mins); Butler; Williams; Harris; Digby; Cook; Hicks (Camargo 60 mins); Collett; Hawkins (Mills 88 mins); Tovey

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

UNFORTUNATE? YES, BUT YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK

Saturday 24th January 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 0 BUCKLAND ATH. 4

 

After a good team performance at Bridport last week, Hallen would have been looking for a good result this afternoon when they entertained Buckland who were sitting just above halfway in the table. Unfortunately it was not to be due to nearly every Hallen player having an off day. Admittedly there was an element of luck about a few of the visitor's goals but, as the millionaire said, "The harder I work, the luckier I seem to be".

 

The game started on a cold but sunny afternoon to be competed on a good but soft surface. After just seven minutes Buckland should have taken the lead when Butler lost possession on the halfway line leading to a counter attack that saw Gribble with no alternative but to race to the edge of the penalty area in an effort to retrieve the situation. Being the last man, he was lucky not to make contact with a rash challenge as the striker skipped into the box only to shoot high and wide of the open goal. But we only had to wait a further four minutes for Buckland to open the scoring when an unfortunate rebound found Mortimore unable to track down his man who was heading for goal to slot the ball past the advancing Gribble. After thirty-six minutes the score could have been two as we were again caught on the counter attack but the industrious Harris saw the danger and together with a good save from Gribble and the help of the post, the ball was cleared. As we waited for the interval, Hallen produced their first dangerous move that saw Hawkins going forward before running out of room. There was still time for a goal, but it came from Buckland as Hicks forgot his defensive duties allowing a Buckland player the freedom of the left flank in order to hit the goal line from where the ball was pulled back to the six-yard box and the goal was a formality.

 

As badly as they were playing, Hallen had the chance to get back into this game after eight minutes of the second half when Hawkins helped the ball on to Collett with just the keeper to beat from ten yards only for the Hallen man to shoot straight at the keeper ensuring the gift horse was looked in the mouth. Midway through the second half the visitors scored their third when an intended pass to a player who was offside, rebounded off a defender's boot to an onside player whose attempted shot across the Hallen keeper was allowed under his body as it entered the net. As time was running out and with Hallen in search of a consolation goal, they were again caught on the counter attack resulting in a fourth goal for the visitors.

 

In the last minute and thinking things couldn't get much worse, Mills was dismissed for a reckless and unnecessary challenge in the middle of the pitch. To sum up, this performance is one to be put into room 101.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Buckland - 11 mins; 43 mins; 73 mins; 87 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Camargo 68 mins; Hill 88 mins

 

Hallen dismissal: Mills 89 mins

 

Hallen team: Gribble; Mortimore; Butler; Reid; Harris; Camargo; Cook; Hicks (Mills 60 mins); Collett; Hawkins; Tovey (Hill 75 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

BITTON FLATTERED BY TWO LATE GOALS

Tuesday 27th January 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

BITTON 4 HALLEN 1

 

This evening we contested the points with Bitton who are one of our local rivals and a team that rarely allow us to come away with any points from the encounter. We started the game by kicking down the substantial slope but still had the worst of starts as we conceded a goal after just five minutes when, from a scrum of players on the edge of the penalty area, a home player wriggled free with the ball and shot past Gribble. With the Hallen manager demanding that his players now showed character, they were let down by the referee as Bitton increased their lead just five minutes later. Our hosts worked the ball into the penalty area where a Hallen defender received a double handed shove in the back as he was about to clear the ball but, with the whole ground waiting for the obvious infringement to be acknowledged by the whistle, nothing was given and the ball was rammed into the net much to the amusement of the home dugout. From this set back, Hallen tried to put their game together and went close to scoring midway through the half when Butler got forward and his intended cross to the far post nearly caught out the keeper as the ball was entering the net just below the crossbar. This was quickly followed by a headed flick from Brimson setting up Mills who delivered a tantalising cross that we were inches short of knocking in the net. Digby was the next to busy the keeper who dived low to his left to make a comfortable save from a shot from thirty yards. But with Bitton going forward at every opportunity, it was worrying that, as they approached our back line, they always had a man over courtesy of a midfield that pushed up in numbers. The interval then arrived after Reid came up for a corner and was unfortunate to see his firm header go a foot wide of the post.

 

The second half saw Bitton continuing to boss the tackles all over the pitch as Hallen were "too nice", but it was Hallen who went close to scoring on seventy minutes when vision and skill from Hawkins saw him lob the keeper only for the ball to go just wide of the post. Bitton were now trying to see the game out as a player was sent to the far side of the pitch from where he was immediately substituted thus having to make a much longer walk to the dugout (maybe nous that we need to bring into our game). But with eight minutes left, it was Hallen who pulled a goal back when Cook won a corner that the keeper allowed to slip out of his hands and over the line. Unfortunately, as the Hallen contingent were still wondering if they could still get something from this game, a home player was not picked up enabling him to shoot past Gribble. To rub salt into the wound, two minutes later Bitton completed the scoring and it was a solo effort from Hallen old boy Corrick.

 

Goals: Hallen - 82 mins (og) / Bitton 5 mins; 10 mins; 84 mins; 86 mins

 

Hallen cautions: None

 

Hallen team: Gribble; Mortimore; Butler; Reid; Harris (Smallman 70 mins); Digby; Cook; Camargo; Brimson (Hailu 60 mins); Hawkins; Mills (Clennell 44 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

COBBLERS TEAR THE SOUL OUT OF HALLEN

Saturday 31st January 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

HALLEN 0 STREET 4

 

Following the midweek game against Bitton, this was another disappointing performance from Hallen. In fact it was even more disappointing in the fact that did we not only have the same shortcomings including another sending off, but in addition we started moaning at each other - always negative behaviour that is never received well, but even more so when your game is being criticised by a team mate who is as bad, or even worse, than you. At the moment Hallen are in a lifeboat heading for calmer waters. We need to all be rowing together in the same direction, staying positive, and all in tune as we sing from the same hymn sheet.

 

Those arriving at Moorhouse Lane were greeted by a strong, icy wind; a wind that Hallen had to face in the first half. They also had to cope with a banging drum and singing from a group of eight lads from Street. These supporters were aged about sixteen and were there just to have fun and enjoy themselves. Their manners and behaviour was first class even when advised that the first flare that they let off would also be their last. It was a pleasure to have them at the ground.

 

Hallen had the worst of starts as they went behind before a minute had been registered on the clock. The visitors played a long ball down the middle of the pitch that was wind assisted causing Reid a problem as he could only set up an opponent who gratefully capitalised on the situation. From bad to worse after just ten minutes when Street scored their second as a free kick on the right was deftly headed into the net - a well taken goal, but again the header of the ball was unchallenged. It was all Street as we nearly conceded again when only a fine block from Hill saved the day. This was quickly followed by a good save from Gribble as he tipped a shot from distance over the bar. As badly as we were playing, we had the chance to pull a goal back just before half time when a ball from Hicks to Butler saw the Hallen man put the ball wide of the post from eight yards.

 

Four minutes after the restart we witnessed an unacceptable challenge from Camargo who had been already cautioned in the first half. Unbelievably, he failed to see a card of either colour from the referee but we were down to ten men anyway as Hawkins was shown red after the melee that followed. The game started to settle down again as Harris notched up Hallen's first shot at goal quickly followed by a headed attempt from Cook hitting the bar. But any chance of making a comeback were thwarted on seventy minutes when a bad ball from Mills for Cook to score after running sixty yards, was intercepted and hit into the space where the ball was skillfully struck across Gribble. It became even more painful to watch as, just a minute later, we conceded the fourth goal when we were punished for not clearing the ball in our own penalty area.

 

 

Goals: Hallen - Nil / Street - 1 min; 10 mins; 70 mins; 71 mins.

 

Hallen Cautions: Camargo 35 mins;

 

Hallen Dismissal: Hawkins 49 mins

 

Hallen team: Gribble; Harris (Clennell 57 mins); Butler; Reid; Hill; Digby; Cook; Camargo; Collett; Hawkins; Hicks ((Tovey 57 mins (Mills 64 mins))

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Saturday 7th February 2015 - Les Phillips Cup (Round 2)

HALLEN 3 HENGROVE ATH 3 (A.E.T.)

(Hallen win 4-2 on penalties)

 

How ironic that today we welcomed Jamie Hillman together with Grantley Dicks and several players back to Moorhouse Lane. Ironic because elsewhere in the country, on this very day, teams were competing in the fifth round of the FA Vase, an admirable achievement written in Hallen FC's folklore last year by this returning management team during their twelve month tenure.

 

 

Hallen, going hell for leather from the start were fortunate not to concede two goals in the first five minutes when the visitors caught us with counter attacks, the first incident being a missed open goal and the second being a save out of Merry's top drawer. Andrews was already catching the eye with his hard work and availability as he set up Digby whose shot was destined for the corner of the net only to be denied by a good save. But Butler gave the home side the lead after twenty-eight minutes as he pushed to the edge of the penalty area to make two determined tackles that gave him the chance to slide the ball across the keeper for a fine individual effort. Eleven minutes later, Hengrove equalised with a glorious left-footed strike from the corner of the eighteen yard box that had Merry grasping thin air.

 

 

Seven minutes after the restart, Hallen should have retaken the lead when Hicks travelled on a break from the halfway line, but with engine-man Andrews the only player to get to receive the ball, the pass was not to standard. But three minutes later the goal came when, from a smooth move, a pass from Andrews saw Collett deliver an excellent cross for Smallman to fire home as he arrived into the danger area. Collett then missed a couple of chances before the battling visitors gave our defence a worrying spell as the ball bounced around in our box for what seemed a lifetime. With just three minutes left to see the game out, Hallen's manager came on for an intended cameo performance, but the three minutes became thirty-three when Hengrove took the game into extra time as they scored in added time.

 

 

During the first half of added time, Hallen had the ball in the net but the referee's assistant stood firm with his flag raised, and as we waited for the whistle for the break, fine defensive work from Winter saw his excellent intervention deny a certain goal. In the 110th minute, Hallen took the lead for the third time when an astute pass from Hicks saw the ball played behind and across the central defenders for Collett to sweep it home. But with just three minutes left, Hengrove scored again to deservedly take the game into a penalty shoot out which Hallen won 4 - 2..

 

Penalties: Collett - goal; Hengrove - goal; Winter - goal; Hengrove - saved; Reid - saved; Hengrove - goal; Cook - goal; Hengrove - missed; Andrews - goal

 

Goals:Hallen - Butler 28 mins; Smallman 55 mins; Collett 110 mins

Hengrove - 39 mins; 90+1 mins; 117 mins

 

 

Hallen cautions:Davis 112 mins; Winter 117 mins

 

Hallen team: Merry; Harris; Butler (Henderson 50 mins); Davis; Reid; Digby (Winter 87 mins); Cook; Andrews; Collett; Hicks; Smallman (Snook 72 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

PLENTY OF EFFORT BUT SOMETHING'S MISSING

Tuesday 10th February 2015

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

 HALLEN 0 LONGWELL GREEN 1

 

Before the start of tonight's game, both teams had completed twenty-five league fixtures but our visitors had three more points than Hallen. It was a game where the points that were up for grabs were vital so it is disappointing to have to report that Longwell Green are now six points in front of us and the end of the season is getting ever closer. Our team couldn't be faulted for effort but, in the majority of cases, the final ball just wasn't good enough. Even so Hallen had the opportunities to have taken something from the game. The manager isn't helped in his cause by having to field a different team for every game because of the unavailability of players through injury (unavoidable), suspension (disappointing), or just can't make it (hard to swallow).

 

The visitors had the first chance after just ten minutes when good control and turn set up the opportunity that was hit wide. But five minutes later, Hallen went even closer when a pass from Andrews set up Collett for a cross that saw Smallman shoot just a foot wide of the post. As the game progressed it looked as though Hallen would take the lead when Andrews sent the ball for Cook. The keeper came racing out and took a mighty hack at the ball and missed it completely but the ball ran away from the Hallen man with the empty net gaping. Just eight minutes to go before the break, Hallen should have scored when Mortimore took a free kick from the halfway line for Cook to head the ball into the danger area where it was met by a Hallen man only to shoot over the bar from ten yards.

 

Four minutes after the restart the Hallen supporters had a scare when a shot came in which Gribble fumbled but thankfully he turned round and fell on the ball on the line. But the relief was short lived when Butler fell over the ball some twenty-five yards out and a Longwell Green player pounced, taking one touch before drilling his shot past Gribble for what proved to be the decisive goal of the game. Hallen had the chance to equalise straight away when a deep cross by Collett was met by Lawton whose effort missed the target only for the visitors to regain their composure resulting in a ten minute spell where Hallen players cleared off the line on no fewer than three occasions. But as the game was coming to a close, Hallen looked the most likely to score as Collett hit the ball wide when presented with a one-on-one with the keeper, and it took a full length save by the keeper to deny an effort from Lawton.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Longwell Green - 55 mins

 

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

Hallen team: Gribble; Smallman (Reid 71 mins); Butler; Greening; Hill; Digby; Cook (Lawton 45 mins); Camargo; Collett; Andrews; Hicks (Mortimore 18 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN STAND TOE TO TOE AND SLUG IT OUT

Saturday 14th February 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

ODD DOWN 1 HALLEN 1

 

Today, 14th February, Valentine's Day, you wouldn't expect love to be all around at a football match but is it too much for an old romantic to ask for a little bit of affection? After heavy overnight rain the game was contested on a heavy and sticky surface, and with the home side containing many experts in cajolement, it was a difficult venue from which to leave with a good result. But unfancied Hallen did that today thanks to their focus, refusal to be bullied, effort, courage and discipline which could have seen them pick up three points instead of the one that was so richly deserved.

 

With Hallen playing the first half down the slope, they were the first team to produce a shot at goal when Camargo's effort from a Collett corner was destined for the net only to be denied by a late deflection. But after just ten minutes Hallen were rewarded for their attacking policy when Butler pushed forward at speed on the right so as to pull the ball across to the far post where Collett side footed it into the net to open the scoring. Halfway through the opening period Hallen had a glorious chance to double their lead when Growcott played a long ball out of his hands down the centre of the pitch and over the heads of the central defenders to Collett who had just the keeper to beat, only for our striker to start to think which foot he should use, resulting in the ball running away from him and on to the keeper. Two minutes later, the same ploy was again so close to paying dividends and this was soon followed by Collett firing in a low free kick that was deflected six inches wide of the post. Thus ended the first half in which Odd Down's formidable striking force had failed to trouble the Hallen keeper.

 

@OddDownAFC @HallenFC Best photo's for today, rest here https://t.co/dLVf4DWf74 pic.twitter.com/MmDoSXAgsX — Mark Guy (@mark_a_guy) February 14, 2015

 

Five minutes after the restart, Odd Down went close to equalising as they pushed down the slope in numbers resulting in the final shot on goal being miss kicked and the looping ball bouncing on the crossbar before being cleared. Our hosts continued to have their best spell of the game as we were grateful to Hill for his reading of the game allowing him to make an excellent block in the penalty area. But the equaliser was only just around the corner when a counter attack was on for Hallen only for a bad ball to be played enabling Odd Down to come at us again in numbers and the goal was a formality. Twenty minutes to go now as Hallen continued to battle and forged another glorious opportunity when Hill got his head on a cross but could only glance the ball wide when anything on target would have reaped dividends. Typical of the Hallen attitude today, Hill was trying to make amends as two minutes later he was powering through the middle to unleash a shot from thirty yards that went just over the bar. Hallen continued to be the better team as Butler set Collett free to bring an exceptional save from the home keeper as Collett's shot at the near post was destined for the net. Coming up to the eightieth minute, Hallen squandered another glorious chance that Collett created with his speed, but at the final hurdle, he chose the wrong option as he shot at goal when he had a choice of Digby and Lawton who were unmarked on the edge of the six yard box waiting for the tap in. As we went into added time a shot from Odd Down went six inches wide of the post, but if that had gone in, it would have been a travesty of justice.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 10 mins / Odd Down - 63 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Hill 20 mins; Winter 38 mins; Davis 45+2 mins

 

Hallen team: Growcott; Henderson; Butler; Davis; Hill; Winter; Harris; Camargo; Collett; Digby; Lawton

 

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN BAG ANOTHER VALUABLE POINT

Tuesday 17th February 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 2 BRISLINGTON 2

 

Our visitors tonight were our our rivals Brislington who made the short trip across Bristol on a cold and frosty night. As always it was a close game but, by virtue of a double substitution that ensured Hallen were by far the better team for the last thirty minutes, I think we were unlucky again to have to settle for just one point.

 

For the first fifteen minutes the two teams sparred with one another until Hallen's opportunity ended in disaster. Collett hit an excellent ball from a corner that we failed to get on the end of and, with two Hallen men left on the halfway line to deal with a lone striker, Brislington hoofed the ball downfield. The striker collected it leaving the two Hallen men in his wake as raced at the home keeper and knocked the ball home. But Hallen continued to push forward resulting in them equalising four minutes later when Collett released Butler who was powering down the right flank. The Hallen man tried to pull the ball back to the danger area only for it to be blocked by a defender, but Butler pounced and fired the ball home from close range. Halfway through this first period Hallen received a double body blow as Brislington regained the lead. Firstly, as the visitors played the ball down the right wing, many in the ground believed that the receiver of the ball was offside but nothing was given and as the ball came in a penalty was awarded for hand ball when the ball struck the hand of a Hallen player when he had his back to the play and his hands by his side. Intent? - I don't think so. Hands in an unnatural position? - I don't think so. In spite of a valiant effort from Thomson in the home goal, the penalty was converted and it was now time for discipline and character from Hallen.

 

The second half started fairly evenly but after sixty minutes Hallen made a double substitution and from then on the home side ruled the roost. Mills immediately got free to deliver a shot-cum-centre that Collett just failed by inches to get a boot on at the far post, soon to be followed by a well placed free kick delivering the ball to the head of Digby who couldn't get the required power behind his goal bound effort. As Camargo set up Mortimore with a half chance, we had a scare at the other end when Thomson needed to make a good block with his feet. But Hallen refused to lay down and they got their just deserts as we waited for the final whistle. Hard work on the left side by Mills saw his centre go into the box where a misunderstanding in the defence enabled Collett to capitalise on the situation and knock the ball home.

 

Goals:

Hallen - Butler 19 mins; Collett 89 mins/ Brislington - 15 mins; 25 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Henderson (Mortimore 35 mins); Butler; Hill; Reid; Winter; Harris (Andrews 60 mins); Camargo; Collett; Digby; Lawton (Mills 60 mins)

 

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

HALLEN ON A ROLL (IF THAT'S NOT TOO CHEESY)

Saturday 21st February 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE

LONGWELL GREEN 0 HALLEN 2

 

Today we travelled to Longwell Green for a vital basement battle and pocketed three more useful points. When I say that Thomson in the Hallen goal wasn't called upon to make a save all afternoon, it probably sounds a comfortable victory. This it was, but it fails to tell the story of how Hallen should have gone in at the interval at least three goals up, but missing clear cut chances made their supporters sweat on the few occasions our hosts got near to our goal. Our lads are now undefeated in the last three games and should be pleased with their efforts but I am sure that the manager will not allow them to take their feet off the gas and let complacency slip in. Hopefully the resurgence of Hallen will continue.

 

Hallen started the game kicking up the slope and it soon became obvious that both teams were going to have difficulty in dealing with the bumpy surface. But after just seven minutes Hallen managed to put a move together resulting in the opening goal. It came from an average free kick that was picked up by DeRosa who fed the ball on to Butler for him to play the ball to the right where Collett pounced to nip in front of the defender and take two touches, the second one to hit the ball into the net. On seventeen minutes it should have been two when good harassment by Collett enabled him to pass to Smallman who was in front of goal with time to spare. On the bumpy surface it was the right decision to steady the ball so as to make sure, but the second touch to make really sure was ill advised and the Longwell Green defender arrived to snuff out the chance. Hallen continued to push forward and were extremely unlucky midway through the half when the ball came from the right and a precise first time shot from twenty-two yards by DeRosa left the defence standing only for the ball to strike the inside of the post and shoot along the line to safety. On thirty minutes Hallen had another glorious opportunity on to be thwarted by a bad first touch from the hapless Smallman. It was not until the fortieth minute that Longwell Green managed to spend a reasonable period in our half, and it nearly resulted in the equaliser when there was a mix up between Davis and his keeper only for the home striker to shoot wide of the open goal.

 

Right from the restart, Hallen's pressure was relentless leading to two good efforts from Smallman in the first three minutes, followed by non stop harassment giving a chance for Collett who shot wide. Mills now entered the contest and was soon clipping an intelligent pass into the path of Digby who surged into the box only to be beaten to the ball as he was about to pull the trigger. On seventy-two minutes, we had a rare occasion when Longwell Green got the ball into our penalty area only for Hill to stand big and brave to ensure an overhead kick failed to hit the target. Soon after, Hallen again had a good chance to score when Harris charged the ball down to release Butler on the right who would put the ball inside to DeRosa who would hit the back of the net - game over. Unfortunately the final part of the move failed to go to plan due to the failure to control the ball on the difficult surface. In the fourth minute of added time, Hallen finally got the second goal that their dogged persistence deserved when the the ball was chipped to the spare man at the far post and Butler made no mistake.

 

Goals: Hallen - Collett 7 mins; Butler 90+4 mins / Longwell Green - nil

 

 

Hallen cautions: nil

 

 

Hallen team: Thomson; DeRosa; Butler; Davis; Reid; Digby; Hill; Camargo; Collett; Harris; Smallman (Mills 62 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

AGAIN, HALLEN HAD THE CHANCES TO WIN THIS DRAB ENCOUNTER

Saturday 28th February 2015

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 0 GILLINGHAM TOWN 1

 

Being at the bottom end of the table all matches are important but as Gillingham were one of only three teams below us a victory was even more vital. On the day, both teams awful and Hallen were the worst. The best thing on display was the performance of the match officials who were, far and away, the best we have seen this season. Their handling of the game would have been noteworthy if the teams had produced a display of the standard of the men in black, but with the added difficulty of keeping upbeat and maintaining an interest in proceedings, they really were top drawer.

 

Away from the action, or lack of it, I'm sure that everyone connected with the club would wish to congratulate life member, Gordon Bradley and his wife, on celebrating sixty-seven years of marriage today. He told me that they were going out for a few drinks later on, but as you would expect, he took up his normal position to watch today's match.

 

Within the first minute we saw the first and last move of any class and that came from Hallen when Butler and Collett combined well only for Butler to be denied at the death. Four minutes later the standard was set when the visitors hit a long ball towards the left flank and, inexplicably, Thomson raced twenty-two yards from his goal and found himself five yards short of getting to the ball. Thankfully Hill got back to the goal and cleared up the mess. Soon after, Hallen could have conceded again when Digby gave away an unnecessary free kick which looked a comfortable save for the home keeper but, instead of holding the ball, he chose to push it away but luckily an easy chance was missed. Gillingham eventually took the lead as half-time approached when they broke down the right and played a ball to the far post. With the home defence in disarray and Reid left with the impossible task of marking two men at the back post, the ball was steered over the line. Hallen's first attempt on goal came in added time when Hill was unfortunate to see his goal bound header cleared off the line.

 

Seven minutes after the restart, Thomson was called on to make a good save when a good cross field pass from left to right had set up the chance. Hallen now started to push forward as Collett just missed a cross-cum-shot from Harris, and a curling shot from Butler missed the target by a foot with the keeper beaten. With twenty minutes left, Hallen should have equalised when Collett sprung the offside trap and set off down the left but, with Butler "busting a gut" to run seventy yards to arrive unmarked in the penalty area, for reasons best known to himself, the Hallen striker went alone from an impossible angle and failed dismally. Just eight minutes left and Hallen put a good passing move together resulting in Collett receiving the ball in a position from where he would make no mistake when his confidence was high. Unfortunately, today, his effort hit the post.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Gillingham - 41 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Smallman 85 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Davis; Butler; Digby (Andrews 45 mins); Reid; Hill; Cook (Henderson 71 mins); Camargo; Collett; Hicks (Smallman 57 mins); Harris

 

 

 
   
 

 

 

HALLEN ARE MADE TO PAY DEARLY FOR MISTAKES

Saturday 7th March 2015

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION

HALLEN 0 MELKSHAM TOWN 4

 

Before the start of this match, Hallen had just six league games remaining, four of which were against teams who were still battling for that coveted position of "Toolstation Western League Premier Division Champions 2014/15". Today we welcomed Melksham who are currently leading the way, but the three points were just as important to our lads, who are third from bottom and facing down the barrel of a gun, as they have played many more games than anyone else in the league. Unfortunately it was one of those games where we made elementary mistakes and, with the visitor's confidence sky high, their finishing was both clinical and deadly.

 

It was a lovely sunny afternoon as we started with the stiff breeze in our backs. Hallen won the first corner of the game after twelve minutes and could have taken the lead when a good delivery from Collett saw Mills in space but was unable to grow tall enough and his head missed the ball by six inches. The next six minutes were quiet until Melksham showed their danger when a snap shot brushed the post as Thomson scrabbled along his line. Halfway through the first period the visitors went one better when they took the lead courtesy of Davis failing to get his head on a centre and, like a snake pouncing on its prey, the visiting striker killed the ball instantly before giving Thomson no chance from just outside the box. Before the break, Melksham should have doubled their lead when slack marking in the penalty area allowed them the luxury of missing the target from ten yards. Our visitors were then lucky not to be reduced to ten men when their striker was pulled up for a dubious challenge compounded by him pushing the same Hallen man heavily in the chest. In these circumstances players will fall to the floor whilst their colleagues try to influence the referee - but not the nice guys from Hallen, and as a result, the player not only stayed on the pitch but was instrumental in what was to be a comprehensive victory.

 

Hallen started the second half strongly with Williams pushing forward to shimmy inside and unleash a left footed shot that flashed past the far post. This was soon followed by more impressive work from Williams as he hit the goal line before pulling the ball back to the edge of the six yard line, but with nobody offering support, the ball was turned behind for a corner. But it was Melksham who increased their lead after fifty-three minutes when two home defenders left the ball for one another and two strikers pounced; one onto the ball and the other peeling away to deftly convert the pass. The next minute, it was a case of "from bad to worse" when the Melksham keeper collected the ball and kicked it downfield. With the ball going over the head of Reid and being controlled by a visiting striker who would surely have scored had Reid not clearly pushed him in the back, the referee blew for a penalty and was quickly surrounded by Melksham players demanding the dismissal of the Hallen man even though the official was left with no alternative. A well taken penalty ensured the visitor's goal tally was increased. Just seven minutes remaining, two Hallen players failed to put in the effort required and a break of four against three built from the halfway line resulting in a glorious strike from twenty-two yards that you could only applaud. Thankfully I can finish on a plus note with Thomson making an unbelievable save to deny a goal from eight yards, followed by the hard working Digby heading narrowly wide when Henderson provided the cross.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Melksham - 23 mins; 53 mins; 54 mins; 83 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Davis 53 mins

 

Hallen dismissal: Reid 54 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Williams (Henderson 65 mins); Hill Smallman 77 mins); Davis; Reid; Butler; Digby; Camargo; Collett; Andrews; Mills (Cook 65 mins)

 

 

 
   

 

 

HALLEN ARE RESURGENT

Wednesday 11th March 2015 -

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE  PREMIER DIVISION

WINTERBOURNE UTD. 1 HALLEN 4

 

With both teams desperate for points, Winterbourne put out a strong line up but they couldn't have been prepared for this outstanding performance from Hallen. Thanks to our never say die attitude, by the time the clock was showing 9.40pm, Hallen had pocketed three points meaning that the are now six points in front of Winterbourne but our hosts have three games in hand. It is going to be a battle until the end of the season but at least we now have a fighting chance of avoiding being one of the bottom two teams. Some difficult games to go, but if we show the same work rate as tonight and combine it with the good football that we showed for long periods of the game, I feel confident about the outcome.

 

Playing on the artificial surface, it was surprising that Hallen looked the more comfortable of the two teams right from the start and Williams was bringing a good save out of the keeper after good build up play presented him with a shot from twenty-five yards. This was swiftly followed by the first of many accurate raking passes from Winter allowing Butler to head the ball forward to Mills but the Hallen man fired the ball straight at the keeper's legs when he was the only man to beat. In all areas of the pitch, Hallen were chasing down everything which resulted in Collett doing the battling before feeding Digby who shot just wide of the far post. But this was just a practice run for our tireless midfielder, because the next minute he was in the same position again but this time he made no mistake as his strike paid justice to the ten man move. Three minutes later Hallen scored again when Butler got forward and across his marker to beat the keeper to the ball as a cross came in from the right. Hallen were quite comfortable but they received a shock with just eight minutes left until the break when Winterbourne scored with their first real attack of the game courtesy of some skillful step overs as a home player cut in from the right to unleash a powerful shot that was seen late by Thomson leaving him unable to hang on to the ball as it crept over the line.

 

Four minutes into the second period, Williams powered forward and squared the ball to an unmarked Mills who somehow missed the ball completely as it ran on to Collett who was also guilty of an unbelievable miss. But Hallen heads were up, as was their confidence and togetherness, resulting in their third goal on the hour when Winterbourne were charged down on the halfway line resulting in a fortuitous rebound to Collett who ran like a hare for fifty yards to give the keeper no chance with a clinical finish. Still feeling they could score more goals, Hallen continued to push forward with so much force that Davis found himself in his opponents' penalty area where he hit the floor and Collett added to his tally from the spot. Two minutes from time, Collett was close to notching a hat-trick after hicks and Cook combined to set up the shot which beat the keeper but brushed the post. Thus ended an impressive performance which I hope will be the first of many until the end of the season.

 

Goals: Hallen - Digby 22 mins; Butler 25 mins; Collett 60 mins & 83 mins (pen) / Winterbourne - 37 mins

 

 

Hallen cautions: Nil

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Winter; Butler; Digby; Davis; Hill; Williams (Cook 82 mins); Harris Collett; Mills (Hicks 61 mins); Andrews

 

 

 
   
 

HALLEN MADE THIS VICTORY DIFFICULT

 Les Phillips League Cup Quarter Final -Saturday 14th March 2015

HALLEN 2 CADBURY HEATH 1

 

Today Hallen were involved in a Les Phillips Cup game that was their last chance of collecting any silverware at the end of the season which would be a fitting reward for the management team's hard work at the end of a difficult period. Well, as a result of another spirited performance, Hallen are now into the semi-final where we will play Barnstaple Town at Moorhouse Lane on 11th April. We outplayed Cadbury Heath today and should have won by a much clearer margin had we put away the five clear cut chances that were somehow squandered. But these were created by hard work and commitment so it would be churlish to dwell on them although they needed to be mentioned.

 

 

 

Hallen had the dream start as they took the lead after just two minutes when they broke down the right flank and lay the pass inside for Mills to unselfishly pull the ball back into the path of the supportive Henderson who made no mistake from fifteen yards. The visitors took some time to settle down but then started to look dangerous when they pushed forward only to be denied by a well timed block by Winter. On twenty-five minutes Hallen had clear cut opportunity number one when Thomson delivered a long ball for Mills to head on but the recipient delayed his shot as he approached the keeper. Two minutes later we had clear cut opportunity number two when one of two Hallen men could have scored only for the keeper to be allowed to tip the ball for a corner from which we had clear cut opportunity number three only for the ball to be headed over the bar. Unbelievably Cadbury Heath equalised on thirty-five minutes when Butler lost the ball on the halfway line and they swept forward to cross the ball to the leading goal scorer in the division who skillfully headed home. Five minutes later we could even have gone one behind but thankfully the ball squeezed the wrong side of the post.

 

The second half started the same as the first and with the visiting defence looking lethargic Digby went close to scoring but soon after we were grateful to Thomson for stretching every sinew to make an excellent save. After fifty-seven minutes we had clear cut opportunity number four when Digby charged down a clearance so as to pull the ball across where the Hallen man blasted the ball over the bar from twelve yards with just the keeper to beat. Davis was now beginning to come forward and was unlucky to see his powerful header go just wide of the post. But the same Hallen man created a goal as he powered into the penalty area on the right hand side from where he drew an unadvisable challenge fro the defender leaving the referee no alternative but to award a penalty that Collett converted in spite of the keeper getting two hands on the ball only to succumb to the power of the shot. Eighty-eight minutes saw another excellent save from Thomson when Cadbury Heath had an opportunity due to Davis becoming over adventurous in the middle of the pitch. The next minute we had clear cut opportunity number five when Henderson set Tovey free down the left to deliver a ball to the far post where we missed the chance to put the ball into an empty net. Thankfully, the whistle came after five minutes of added time.

 

Goals: Hallen - Henderson 2 mins; Collett 73 mins (pen.) / Cadbury Heath - 35 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Hill 55 mins; Davis 89 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Winter; Butler; Digby (Cook 86 mins); Hill; Davis; Henderson; Harris; Collett; Mills (Tovey 81 mins); Andrews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

 

 

HALLEN BANK ANOTHER POINT ON THEIR QUEST FOR SURVIVAL

 

TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION

Saturday 28th March 2015

SHEPTON MALLET 0  HALLEN 0

 

 

Hallen made the short trip into Somerset to take on Shepton Mallet who are firmly on course to have their best ever finish. This, together with the fact that they have recently acquired the services of two ex professionals in Steve Phillips and Louis Carey, it was obvious that in spite of Hallen's improved form of late, this was never going to be a "give me". Considering the strong wind that would be in the backs of those playing down the slope, and the heavy surface that saw players keeping their feet when attempting to turn quickly, both teams should be credited with attempting to create a passing game. The second half saw chances at both ends but goals eluded both teams to produce what most would consider to be a fair result. Hallen now have three league games left and are six points ahead of Winterbourne who, together with Bishop Sutton, are the teams protecting us from relegation.

 

Shepton Mallet started the game with the elements in their favour but, thanks to Hallen's players showing stoicism all over the pitch, we had to wait until the thirtieth minute before we saw a shot on target from our hosts when a powerful shot gained speed as it hit the slippery surface only for Thomson to get his body in the way and deflect the ball for a corner. The home side then had two more shots in quick succession but neither called the Hallen keeper into action as the ball whistled past the post. We then saw Shepton's closest effort when a shot from twenty-five yards was dipping under the bar until a stunning save from Thomson saw the ball tipped over the bar for a corner from which the home side should have scored but Carey blasted the ball high, wide, but not particularly handsome. With the interval approaching, a good passing move from Hallen saw Mills shin a half chance over the bar but those associated with the team from Moorhouse Lane would have settled for a goalless half and then playing down the wind assisted slope in the second half.

 

Two minutes after the restart Hallen should have taken the lead when a glorious ball over the head of the central defender by Digby set up Collett with the keeper to beat but the chance was squandered. Minutes later the Hallen man was unlucky not to make amends when his low shot from the right beat the Shepton keeper only for the ball to flash inches wide of the far post. We were soon to have another glorious opportunity created by a long ball from Thomson that went over the defence but this time Mills was the guilty party. Hallen were now on fire as good skill from Collett saw the ball with Henderson as he shot for the far post but a Hallen man missed contact by inches. Twenty minutes into the half, Shepton Mallet finally pushed up the slope to produce danger but, when presented with an open goal, the ball was headed wide. This seemed to give the home side a bit more spirit and Hallen were soon thanking DeRosa for a timely intervention at the near post. Just fifteen minutes left and we entered squeaky bum time as Davis was called on to make a good headed clearance, a shot drifted over the bar when Hallen were caught out of position and Thomson was forced to rush to the edge of the penalty area, and finally Davis produced heroics to chase back towards his own goal to clear an effort that was creeping over the line beside the post.

 

In these conditions, mention must be made of Hallen's engine room where Digby, Cook, Andrews and Harris were immense and the uncompromising attitude of Hill and Davis was highly influential.

 

Goals: Nil

 

Hallen cautions: Andrews 34 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Butler; Henderson (DeRosa 63 mins); M Davis; Hill; Harris; Cook; Andrews; Collett; Mills (Tovey 63 mins); Digby

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

 

HALLEN ON SONG BUT RECEIVE "NIL POINTS"

Toolstation Western League - Premier Division

 

Good Friday 3rd April 2015

 

HALLEN  0  BRISTOL MANOR FARM  1

 

As happens on Bank Holidays, Hallen were paired against local rivals Manor Farm and the biggest home crowd of the season enjoyed a cut and thrust battle where the visitors plundered all three points. At the end of the game the most ardent travelling supporters admitted Hallen deserved a point whilst the most honest conceded that we deserved to pocket all three. Unbelievable result, but looking at the table today, it is certainly true which is more than can be said of the old adage about swings and roundabouts leading to this sort of thing finishing even over a season.

 

The first fifteen minutes of the game was spent sounding out each other and finding out what the officials would be prepared to ignore in an effort to let the game flow. But then an excellent move from Hallen set up Collett with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring only for his unchallenged header to lack power or direction from eight yards. Disappointment for the Hallen contingent but this only served to encourage more support for, and within, the team. Two minutes later the home side went close again as a chance was built by Harris and Digby but a misunderstanding made the final ball ineffective. The hosts continued to make a mockery of the vast gap between the two teams in the table as Harris set up Collett who was denied by the quick reactions of the keeper who rushed from his line to make a quick smothering save. Digby created another good chance but failure to control the ball saw the opportunity slip away. With Hallen continually pushing forward, they were nearly caught on the break when the visitors had their first attempt on goal after thirty minutes thanks to the move being started and nearly finished by Sheppard. Farm were now coming into the game as a well delivered free kick should have been converted by one of the three men in red who failed to make a connection. Two minutes before the interval there was more frustration for Hallen when Collett took a free kick that was headed against the post by a defender with his keeper rooted to the spot.

 

Hallen continued with their attacking tactics and went even closer to scoring four minutes into the second half when Butler got forward to win a corner that was powerfully met by the head of Cook only for the ball to hit a defender on the line. The ball rebounded back to Cook whose second attempt was again goal bound only to hit another defender on the line before looping to safety. On sixty-five minutes it looked as though Hallen's luck had changed when DeRosa put a ball into the penalty area and the referee awarded Hallen a soft penalty for a challenge where the ball appeared to be won fairly. After the visitors had stopped haranguing the referee, Collett stepped up to take the spot kick and went for power. Unbelievably the ball went ten feet over the bar, completely cleared the roof of the clubhouse and was retrieved from the car park next to the entrance gate to the complex. A few minutes later, Collett connected well with a cross from Butler but it goes without saying that a defender blocked the ball on the line. To add insult to injury, Manor Farm scored the only goal of the game when, with just fifteen minutes left, the mercurial Sheppard had a sniff at goal and before anyone could react, the ball was fired across Thomson and into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty box. In the last minute, Hallen could still have taken something from the game when a cross to the far post from Digby saw Collett soar to head the ball down for Smallman to knock in only for the defender to get a foot in.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / BMF - 75 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Hill 51 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Henderson (DeRosa 60 mins); Butler; Davis; Hill; Harris; Cook; Camargo (Smallman 82 mins); Collett; Digby; Andrews

 

 

 

 
   

 

WHERE HAVE ALL THE STRIKERS GONE? - LONG TIME PASSING

Monday 6th April 2015 - WLP

SLIMBRIDGE  2  HALLEN  O

 

 

 

From the very start of this game it became apparent that the superior speed of the home front men would be difficult for Hallen's flat defence to deal with. But the best chance fell to the visitors after fifteen minutes when a free kick from Winter found Camargo whose pass gave us a golden opportunity only for the shot to be scuffed. Hallen soon had another chance when a well delivered corner from Collett was headed just wide by Cook, but a quick ball out of defence from Slimbridge saw Winter struggling for speed as Thomson made a brave save to keep the scoring blank. On twenty minutes, a cruel bounce on the edge of Hallen's penalty saw the ball bounce at 45 degrees and into the path of a home striker whose lob towards an empty net looked a certain goal until the ball hit the ground and bounced up and hit the crossbar.

 

Thomson was then called into action to make another brave save when his defence had gone walk about and this was quickly followed by the Hallen keeper having to save with his feet when the same failing allowed Slimbridge on goal. Twelve minutes into the second period, our hosts took the lead when we failed to deal with a corner as the ball reached the far side of the penalty area for a striker to pull the ball back onto his left foot and fire it across Thomson and into the top corner of the net. Slimbridge were the only team in it now as they kept pressing and were unlucky to see a good move end with the shot sending the ball just over the bar. Hallen were now becoming frustrated and conceding too many free kicks, one of which led to the second goal as the direct strike was powered home from twenty yards. The home side were unfortunate not to make it three when, with ten minutes to go, a shot hit the crossbar for the second time in the game. The final threat of the game came with three minutes left and it came from Hallen when an excellent free kick from Carmargo brought a good save from the keeper.

 

PS. My apologies for changing a word in Pete Seeger's classic song "Where have all the flowers gone" in my headline, but it did seem an appropriate way of emphasising the point that, after this game, Hallen have failed to score in their last three games. By the way, next Saturday we play in the semi-final of the Les Phillips Cup against Barnstaple who conceded their first goal in their last twelve games when Wellington found the net in the contest on Good Friday. Obviously it will be a tough task to get into the final and it will be essential that our lads are roared on by their supporters. After all, featuring in a final would be a wonderful achievement at the end of a very difficult season.

 

Goals: Hallen - nil / Slimbridge - 57 mins & 70 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Harris 89 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Winter; Henderson (Digby 67 mins); Smallman; Reid; Butler; Cook (Hill 23 mins); Camargo; Collett; DeRosa (Harris 71 mins); Tovey

 

 

 

 

 
   

BARNSTAPLE THROUGH TO FINAL

COURTESY OF THREE GIFTED GOALS

Saturday 11th April 2015 - Les Phillips Cup (semi-final)

HALLEN  1 BARNSTAPLE TOWN  3

 

Today we welcomed Barnstaple in a match that would determine who would play against Willand in the Les Phillips Cup final at Bridport on 10th May. Our visitors play in the division below us (until next season) but the fact that they arrived unbeaten in their last twenty-two games gave an advance indication of the task ahead. As most of you will be aware, together with my able assistant Tony Wyebrow, prior to kick off I stand on the gate and take the admission monies from spectators whilst sharing a joke and hopefully making all feel welcome. With regard to this duty, before scribing my summary of the match, I must mention the respect and politeness shown to me by those travelling from Devon but most of all from the Barnstaple team and coaches who were a delight. Their attitude was a credit to their generation and greatly admired by someone of an older generation who still holds this sort of behaviour very dear.

 

On a bright and sunny afternoon, Hallen started the game with the very strong wind in their backs and it took both sides fully fifteen minutes as they tried to come to terms with the elements. As a result we had to wait until the twentieth minute for the first shot at goal and this came from Barnstaple when an effort went just wide of the far post. But the next minute it was Hallen who took the lead when Butler's determination and skill got him to the goal line before pulling the ball back to the six yard box for captain Digby to add the finishing touch. A minute later we had an opportunity to increase our lead when DeRosa fed a ball through for Collett to convert but a defender was allowed to make a last minute block. Hallen continued to press as Digby clipped in a beautiful ball onto the head of Collett but the Hallen man couldn't put his effort wide of the keeper. As the fair sized crowd were expecting no further goals before half-time, Hallen gifted Barnstaple their equaliser with three elementary mistakes started by losing the ball on the halfway line. Davis recovered the situation but inexplicably turned inside with the ball only to be dispossessed allowing a shot across Thomson that the Hallen keeper failed to hold and the spillage was mopped up by a striker.

 

Hill's "no nonsense" approach, that looked to be the correct tactics in the first half, were soon reaping their rewards after the break when, on two occasions, he laid his body on the line to block goal bound attempts. As the game progressed, Hallen started to give the impression of trying to react to situations after they had happened instead of anticipating the situations beforehand and it was leaving them second best but holding on as the manager made a double substitution in an effort to give our lone striker extra support. Immediately afterwards, Hallen allowed Barnstaple's impressive young full back to come forward and deliver a ball that was just missed by two players before brushing the outside of the post. But, with twenty minutes left it was Hallen who could and should have regained the lead when a good run down the left by Tovey saw him pull the ball back to Collett who was free in the penalty area only for him to fail to connect. Just eight minutes to go, Hallen conceded an unnecessary free kick which was an error compounded by the fact that they failed to pick up the fact that a central defender who had missed nothing in the air all afternoon was arriving late into the box and consequently powered in a header whilst enjoying a yard of freedom. Hallen now had no choice but to throw caution to the wind resulting in them conceding another free kick twenty yards out and in a central position when Barnstaple broke. The free kick was hit past the wall which should have meant it was an easy take for the keeper but, with the gloves man stood behind his wall, the first time he had sight of the ball was when it was in the net.

 

At the final whistle, all players were quick to shake hands before our visitors went to applaud their vociferous supporters; but I would have expected nothing less from those I had the pleasure of meeting at the gate. All at Hallen wish Barnstaple well in the final against Willand who we know from experience will play their part in making a sporting and memorable day.

 

Goals: Hallen - Digby 21 mins / Barnstaple - 40 mins; 82 mins; 90+1 mins

 

Hallen cautions: Andrews 77 mins; Tovey 82 mins

 

Hallen team: Thomson; Harris; Butler; Davis; Hill; Smallman (Mills 62 mins); Cook; Digby; Collett; Andrews; DeRosa (Tovey 62 mins)

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROWCOTT PREVENTS AN AVALANCHE

Tuesday 14th April 2015 - WLP

 

HALLEN  1 CADBURY HEATH 3

 

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

 

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELEGATION ISSUE:- Due to the resignation of Ilfracombe Town after the League AGM. The League are unable to replace them with another team, and also Ilfracombe Town are deemed to be one of the relegated clubs at the end of the season in accordance with FA Rules and regulations. Hence only Bishop Sutton will be relegated. (Ray Bright).