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Match Report
Saturday 8th February
Old Parmiterians Reserves | 4 - 2 | Mill Hill Village |
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AFC Inter Div North (A) KO 2:00 PM
Referees: Manager: |
Team:
Goals: Man of the Match: |
Pork Chop Hill is conquered
After a couple of good results at home, an entirely different proposition was put in front of the Reserve XI at the infamous ground known as Pork Chop Hill. Mill Hill Village have three games in hand on Old Parmiterians, meaning defeat here could have radically altered the momentum of both teams, with a boggy pitch and gradient in one half seeming to suit the hosts far better. The visitors looked to press higher than usual to cut long balls out at source and play in the opposition half as much as possible. To that effect, Charlie Heath, Zach Kinnell-Harry, Josep Mari and the returning Mike Ramsay worked tirelessly to prevent Mill Hill's biggest weapon. When a long ball did get through it found captain on the day Chris Kane and Jame Clark in imperious form, winning every aerial ball against the hosts' best player in Sam Smith. Mari had already rounded the keeper, who made an excellent intervention to prevent the goal and Heath had shot over before the early pressure told. Atiba Jackson found space on the edge of the area after some sustained possession and crossed for Kinnell-Harry's late run, which he brought down and squeezes past the keeper in what is fast becoming a trademark goal for him. A few minutes after, a long ball from Clark found the head of Kinnell-Harry whose flick on into space saw Heath gallop clear to double the lead. The visitors playing the opposition at their own game, showing they could play both ways. Steve Kennedy-Clarke was forced into a good save down to his right to remind Old Parmiterians of the threat posed at the other end. A chance to extend the lead brought the best out of the Mill Hill keeper as he scrambled across goal to save Kinnell-Harry's header. Just before half time a long ball from the hosts beat the defence, with Kane having to race back to prevent a shot. with panic stations, several challenges went in and eventually the referee saw fit to award a penalty, allowing Mill Hill a route back into the game, with Smith putting it in the bottom corner. Mill Hill had picked to go downhill for the second half thinking it would suit their long game, but Old Parmiterians were very effective at keeping the game in the opposition half, which turned out the be the better one to play on the ground. Shortly after half time they put together a move that ended with one of the best team goals of the season. Adem Bekir split the defence with a chipped through ball for Mari, whose cut back found Heath on the run towards the byline. Heath then squared for Ramsay to tap in. The visitors continued to threaten but couldn't score. When Mil Hill's best midfield player hit a thunderbolt into the top corner it looked like the game might just be in the balance. That prompted Heath to turn provider again as Kinnell-Harry made another late run into box. His slid finish sparked the type of celebrations with eight minutes to go that showed the Reserves knew they had won the points. With Pork Chop Hill conquered, it's Lea Valley next up.