Match Report for Sat 28^th Mar 2009

Hereford 1 Cleevillians 2

In a game which Cleevillians had to win and rely on Leominster beating Cheltenham B in order to take the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire League 1 title, they had to battle hard to achieve their win. Unfortunately Cheltenham B equalised late in their game to snatch the title but Cleevillians can be proud of their achievements this year, having led the league for the majority of the season.

Hereford opened the scoring after 6 minutes, when they broke clean through the Cleevillians defence. Cleevillians soon equalised when Rob Link found Tom North unmarked in the area and he neatly tucked away his 31st goal of the season. A fluent Cleevillians move 8 minutes later saw Toby Flanagan flick the ball just wide of the left hand post. For most of the second half, the game was played in the midfield and so Cleevillians were thankful that the one real chance of the half fell to Tom North who easily smashed his second goal of the game low into the goal following an accurate pass from Toby Flanagan. Remarkably Tom's goal scoring feat this season has been achieved whilst playing in midfield.

Hereford lost their goal keeper to injury with 15 minutes to go and played with 11 outfield players, however rather than impeding their performance Hereford ended the game putting the Cleevillians defence under considerable pressure and were thankful to Chris Smallwood in goal and Mark Johns for making important blocks and tackles.

This has proved a very successful season for the Cleevillians men's team and next season they hope to raise a second team to compete in the league. If any players are interested in joining the club, please feel free to contact the club through their website: www.cleevillians.org. The club now look forward to attending their 59th consecutive Torbay Hockey Festival over the Easter period, where last year the Colts team finished 1st and the Men's Team 3rd.