Report

Histon Hornets Vs Papworth Blasters
30/04/11

A warm and pleasant late spring day was the setting for possibly the last game of the Hornets season.

With almost a full compliment of players Histon took to the field with an opportunity to shown the crowd how far they have progressed this season.

They didn’t have to wait long. One quick pass from the kick off and Alfie Webb took advantage of the barely warmed up Papworth keeper with a well struck long shot into the back of the net 1:0 to the Hornets.

Although a little startled by Histon’s quick strike, the Blasters rallied and took the fight to Histon requiring two good saves from Marcus Thomassen and some stout defending.

The Hornets pushed forward again and despite a good save by the keeper Nima Kordany was quick off the mark to tap in the rebound. 2:0 to Histon.

Papworth fought back and a good shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced just pitch side of the goal line enabling Histon to scramble the ball away.

Despite the Blasters pressure, some positive defending from Jack Todd and excellent covering from Jacob Green the Hornet pulled themselves back in to the game. A well timed and delivered pass from Alfie Webb set up Joel Bentley for one of his trademark powerful shots, giving the keeper no hope of saving the strike. 3:0

Within a minute Joel once again looked for goal with a shot just over the bar.

Papworth were now on the back foot but defended well only to be undone by a near perfect long distance strike by Nima. 4:0 to the Hornets and the end of the first quarter.

The warm day was very tiring for the boys and a new set of legs took to the field for the second quarter, only to find themselves under pressure from a now fired up Blasters forward line. 2 good instinct saves from Owen kept Histon in the game and time to recoup.

Battling for every ball and movement all over the pitch paid off for Ryan Cullam as he drew the full back and keeper and clipped to ball over and into the net with the outside of his foot. 5:0 to Histon

But Papworth kept on coming. Alfie Salmon hassled and harried the forwards as he has all season breaking up several attacks. Eventually Papworth got their reward with an excellent strike that Owen managed to get a hand to but was unable to keep out. 5:1 and Papworth Blasters were looking to make a comeback.

In one of the best moves this season the Hornets moved the ball from goalkeeper to defence through midfield and attack in a series of quick passes which ended with Jacob Greens shot narrowly missing the post. Undeterred Papworth pushed again and another good strike from out on the right pulled them a goal closer. 5:2 and Histon started to look unsettled

Fraser Clark made himself busy in midfield and read the situation perfectly to make a run on the goal mouth and would have tapped in a Jacob Bath cross, but the keeper’s legs clipped the ball into his own goal. 6:2 to the Hornets and honours even for the quarter.

Despite the days warmth both sets of boys showed no signs of flagging as the third quarter got underway.

Both teams put in hard tackles and fought for each ball, but it was Jacob Green who got some deserved success after his weaving run and shot stuck home with a little deflection.7:2 and the Hornets were in charge of the game

Not long after Jacob bath made curling the ball round the keeper look easy after receiving a good cross ball from Joel Bentley. 8:2 to Histon

Papworth tried to grapple their way back into the game, but Jack Todd and Marcus Thomassen held fast to see the quarter out.

With the game all but won Owen Abbott was given a rare opportunity to play striker for the first part of the last quarter. Although Papworth gave Owen no real openings to get onto the Hornets score sheet this season, he covered a lot of ground for tired legs.

A quick change of Striker saw Jack Todd take over from Owen and despite the best efforts of his team mates to play him in the opportunities were few with the Blasters keeper stopping one shot and Jacks outstretched leg just missing the vital touch in a goal mouth scramble.

With Histon taking their foot off the gas, Papworth continued to play the game and a well struck shot struck the top of the net shortly before the final whistle blew. 8:3 to the Histon Hornets and a deserved win to finish a good season.

Although not winning all their seasons fixtures, the Hornets had given a good account of themselves in each and every match and had played some of their best football in the last few games showing marked improvement throughout the team.

All the best for next season.