Great Horwood FC
Firsts Reports 2009-10
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Date
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Comp
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Venue
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Opposition
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Res.
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Score
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Scorers
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9th Aug
10:30am ko
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Friendly
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Home
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Southcott
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L
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1-2
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15th Aug
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Friendly
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Home
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Hanslope
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|
|
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20th Aug
6:30pm ko
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Friendly
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Home
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Stoke Hammond Wanderers
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|
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25th Aug
6:15pm ko
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League
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Home
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Wolverton Reserves
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L
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1-6
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Sam Archer
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29th Aug
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George Curry Cup
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Home
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Thornborough
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L
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1-1
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Lost on penalties
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12th Sept
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League
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Home
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Great Linford
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W
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3-0
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Adam Dixon, Darren 'Sid' Sirett, Richard Jones
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19th Sept
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League
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Away
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Hanslope
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D
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2-2
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Eddie Archer, Adam Dixon (pen)
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26th Sept
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League
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Away
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Yardley Gobion
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L
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6-2
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Charles Obiri (2)
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3rd Oct
2:30pm
kick off
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Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
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Home
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Royal British Legion
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W
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3-0
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Adam Dixon(2 - pen), Sam Archer
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10th Oct
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Lge
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Home
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AFC Santander
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D
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2-2
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Charles Obiri (2)
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17th Oct
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Lge
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Away
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Stoke Hammond
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D
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3-3
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Charles Obiri, Adam Dixon (2)
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24th Oct
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Lge
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Home
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Titans Reserves
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W
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6-2
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Adam Dixon (2), Charles O'Biri (2),
Colin Richens, Sam Archer
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31st Oct
2:00pm ko
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Lge
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Away
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E & H
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L
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3-0
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Thursday
5th Nov
7:30pm
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Buckingham Charity Cup
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Away
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Stewkley
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L
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1-3
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Colin Richens
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7th Nov
2:00pm ko
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Lge
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Home
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Twyford
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W
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4-2
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Charles Obiri, Colin Richens, Darren Sirett, Adam Armitage
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14th Nov
1:30pm ko
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Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
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Home
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Wing
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W
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5-0
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Darren 'Sid' Sirett 3, Colin Richens 2
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21st Nov
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Intermediate Cup
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Home
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Potterspury
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W
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1-1
2-1 AET
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Darren 'Sid' Sirett 2
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Wednesday
25th Nov
7:30pm
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Alan Holman Cup
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Buck Athletic
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Steeple Claydon
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L
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1-3
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Adam Dixon (pen)
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28th Nov
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League
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Away
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Marsh Gibbon
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W
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1-2
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Charles Obiri, Darren 'Sid' Sirett
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5th Dec
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League
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Away
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Wolverton reserves
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W
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3-6
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Darren 'Sid' Sirett(3), Colin Richens , Neil Walker
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23rd Jan
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Berks & Bucks Junior Trphy 4th Rnd
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Home
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Old Windsor
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L
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1-1
3-4 on penalties
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Darren 'Sid' Sirett
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30th Jan
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League
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Home
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Potterspury
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D
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2-2
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Darren 'Sid' Sirett, Sam Archer
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6th Feb
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League
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Home
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Yardley Gobion
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L
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6-2
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Sam Archer (2)
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13th Feb
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League
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Home
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Stoke Hammond
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L
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0-3
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20th Feb
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League
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Home
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Hanslope
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W
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7-0
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Charles Obiri, Darren 'Sid' Sirett (3), Adam Dixon (3)
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27th Feb
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League
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Away
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Great Linford
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P
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|
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6th March
3:00pm ko
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League
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Away
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Potterspury
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L
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8-0
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|
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13th March
3:00pm ko
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League
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Home
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Brackley Reserves
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W
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4-3
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Sirett, Richens, E.Archer, Cronin
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20th March
3:00pm ko
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League
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Away
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MK Titans Reserves
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W
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3-4
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Dixon , Sirett(2), Richens
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27th March
3:00pm ko
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League
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Home
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E & H
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W
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3-1
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Richens (2), Sirett
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3rd April
3:00pm ko
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League
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Away
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Twyford
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L
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4-1
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Sirett
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10th April
3:00pm ko
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League
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Home
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Marsh Gibbon
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W
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5-0
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J. Warner; R. Jones; D. Sirrett; N. Walker (2);
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Tuesday 13th April
6:30pm ko
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League
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Away
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AFC Santander
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D
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2-2
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|
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17th April
3:00pm ko
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League
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Away
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Great Linford
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D
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2-2
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|
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24th April
3:00pm ko
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League
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Away
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Brackley Reserves
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W
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3-4
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Tuesday 27th April
6:45pm ko
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League
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Home
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Yardley Gobion
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W
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3-2
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TWYFORD 4 GREAT HORWOOD 1
Saturday 3rd April 2010
(Sirett)
After three straight wins Horwood travelled to Twyford full of hope of making it four on the trot but were brought crashing down to earth with a poor performance which was punished by a workman like Twyford side. The game started with Horwood playing down the slope on the ever well turned out but narrow pitch which seemed to restrict Horwood's normally fluent passing game. With Horwood starting slowly it was the home team who took full advantage and after some pressure from a couple of corners Twyford opened the scoring with a forward beating keeper McStraw to the ball to head home. Worst was to follow when the home team made it 2-0 within the opening 15 mins when good work down their left saw a cross to the backpost where a Twyford player was on hand to tap home.
Horwood tried to respond and started to up their game but the final ball was never quite there after some decent approach work and with the half coming to an end a Twyford player picked up the ball in midfield and smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards to stretch them into a 3-0 lead. With the half coming to an end Horwood did respond again and came close with a Cronin drive just missing the target but the half ended and Horwood had to re-group during the interval to find a response.
The second half started with Horwood looking for an early goal to claw their way back into the game but the home team managed to handle the Horwood attacks and it was Twyford that looked more likely to score. Horwood's play was now starting to look very untidy and it was no surprise when the home team moved into a 4-0 lead, this time after some pressure forced a corner the ball was delivered for a attacker to score with a free header at the far post. Late into the half Horwood did score a consolation goal when Sirett latched onto a misplaced back pass to score but it was still a heavy 4-1 defeat at the final whistle which stopped Horwood's recent march up the table. They will want to bounce straight back with bottom team Marsh Gibbon next up but after a late 2-1 victory over the pointless bottom club in the away match nothing can be taken for granted.
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GREAT HORWOOD 3 E & H 1
Saturday 27th March 2010
(Sirett , Richens 2)
On a perfect March day for football Horwood took on E & H from Milton Keynes who had inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Horwood in the away fixture in October. A repeat of that score line never looked on the cards though as Horwood dominated the early stages.
Even with control of the game Horwood couldn't find a goal with the visiting defence just coping with the home team's fast flowing football and dangerous breaks. E & H only rarely threatened and when they did the back four of Hilliard, Sparks, Wilson and Reynolds had no problems defusing the situation which left keeper Cox with little to do on his return to first team action.
Horwood were causing problems from all over the pitch with Sam Archer and Warner dominating the middle of the field and Jones and Richens flying down the flanks supporting the front two of Sirett and Manager Walker. After a few half chances were missed it was the ever dangerous Richens who opened the scoring, breaking across the field of the right wing beating a couple of defenders before curling a wonderful strike past the helpless keeper.
Within minutes Richens was at it again beating his man with ease before this time going for power and hammering his strike past the keeper at his near post to put Horwood in control with a 2-0 lead at half time. It should have been more but both strikers were guilty of a miss before the half finished.
The half time team talk was all about concentration and making sure, unlike in the previous match, we started the half positively as the next goal would be crucial. But it was the visitors who started brightly and within minutes of the re-start were back within a goal of Horwood. A neat one two on the right wing allowed the E & H forward too much room on the edge of the box and he took advantage with an unstoppable drive to make it 2-1 and all to play for.
After the fast start from the visitors it was soon back to the flow of the first half with Horwood mainly dominating the game and E & H only breaking away occasionally but Horwood couldn't find the goal to restore their 2 goal cushion. The cushion was very nearly restored when a goal mouth scramble saw various players have a go at goal and Jones was most unlucky to see his shot deflected onto the bar but still the third goal wouldn't come and with E & H starting to look dangerous on the break it need a excellent team effort to keep them at bay.
The third goal did eventually come with 10 mins remaining when Archer's through ball was flicked on by Walker and Sirett was on hand to lift the ball over the advancing keeper to give Horwood some breathing space. E & H did threaten to score a second but a couple of well timed interceptions from sub Medri saw Horwood home with a deserved 3-1 win and a third consecutive win to move them up to 5th in the table 6 points behind 3rd and 4th but with 2 games still in hand.
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MK TITANS RESERVES 3 GREAT HORWOOD 4
Saturday 20th March 2010
(Dixon, Sirett 2, Richens)
For the second week running Horwood were involved in a seven goal thriller and were again on the right side of the result beating a determined and well drilled MK Titan Res.
The match started just as the rain began to fall which made the pitch pretty slippery but did encourage quick passing football which Horwood used to their advantage. During the opening exchanges it was Horwood that looked the sharper but they couldn't capitalise on the few half chances that came their way and then against the run of play the home team took the lead when the defence failed to clear a free kick into the box and the home team scored to make it 1-0. Still Horwood looked to play their passing football and another quick break saw Dixon pushed in the area and a penalty was awarded. Dixon calmly stroked the ball home sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1 and Horwood now were in the ascendancy and looking for a second.
After a few more half chances were spurned it was in the final minutes of the half Horwood took a deserved lead when a shot from Jones was flicked past the keeper by Sirett, the referee indicated time was moving into first half injury time but there was enough for the home team to equalise when a cross from the left made it's way to the back post for a forward to finish off and the half time score was 2-2 which was not a fair reflection of the half.
With the heavy rain still falling it was the home team that started the half on top, pushing Horwood back and playing the long ball effectively to their commanding centre forward but with Hilliard and Warner coping with this aided by the dependable Cronin and Reynolds Horwood began to get their game back together. Richens and Jones were starting to get more success down the flanks and with Eddie and Sam Archer regaining control of the midfield it was surely only a matter of time before Horwood re-took the lead.
A few more chances were created but sadly missed before Horwood scored their 3rd when Richens surged past his man into the box from the right wing and power his shot past a startled Keeper into the far corner. Horwood looked to have made with game safe going into the final minutes when good work from Cronin and Jones down the left saw Jones' cross turned goal bound by Sirett and the ball span in off the far post to put Horwood 4-2 up.
But there was again late drama when McStraw was forced to make a fine save from a free kick and from the resultant corner Horwood failed to clear their lines and after a goal mouth scramble a home player scored from close range. By now the game had entered injury time and Horwood again managed to hang on the few remaining extra minutes to record a successive 4-3 win and again move up the table.
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GREAT HORWOOD 4 Brackley Sports Reserves 3
Saturday 13th March 2010
(Sirett, Richens, E.Archer, Cronin)
After the heavy defeat at league leaders Potterspury, Horwood needed to get back to winning ways at home to Brackley Sports who were just above them in the table but had played 3 games more than Horwood. The home team were not helped with a number of players unavailable including keeper McStraw and three of the regular back four but a team was put together with manager Walker in goal and Medri and Armitage called up from the Res plus the returning 3rd Archer Terry back from Uni. Even with all the changes it was the home team that settled into the game first and bossed the early exchanges but some desperate defending from the visitors kept Horwood scoreless in the opening 30mins. The game changed in 5mins when Horwood took complete control. First Richens broke through the Brackley defence and rounded the keeper before his shot was finished off from close range by Sirett beating the defenders to the ball. Sam Archer then played Richens through with a excellent pass and again Richens' pace took him past the defenders and he beat the advancing keeper to make it 2-0. The visitors did press after this spell but the half finished without Walker having to make a save in the Horwood goal.
The second half started with Horwood knowing the next goal was crucial and the home team started the half on top with Sam and Eddie Archer commanding the midfield and Armitage and Obiri causing problems for the visiting defence on the wings. So it was no surprise that within 10mins of the re-start Horwood collected their 3rd goal when Richens swung in a corner to the far post where Sirett headed towards goal with the final touch coming off Eddie Archer for his second goal for the club. The home team were now dominant and looking for more goals and when Brackley did break into the Horwood half Terry Archer, Warner, Medri and Cronin were on hand to deal with any threat. On the 2 occasions the visitors did get past the back four Walker was on hand to deny them with a couple of smart saves. With the game moving into the last quarter Horwood added to their lead when the marauding Cronin burst out of defence and fired home from distance with the aid of a slight deflection and the game looked over at 4-0. But as this was a Horwood match there was plenty of action to come in the last 10mins. The visitors made a couple of changes and pulled a goal back and the Horwood players began to panic when a forward was given a free header from a corner to make it 4-2 with still some minutes remaining.
Even worse was to follow as the game moved into injury time when a Brackley shot hit the post and rebounded straight to an on rushing forward to remarkably make it 4-3. But Horwood managed to regain some composure and retained procession and kept the ball in the Brackley half until the final whistle. A good win when you take into account the players missing but it was a worrying end to a game which Horwood had dominated for 80mins. Still the result moved us up the table above the visitors and with games in hand a top 5 finish is still on the cards.
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Pottersbury 8 GREAT HORWOOD 0
Saturday 6th March 2010
Game kicked off 40mins late due to late arrival of reserve referee but sadly the Horwood team never showed up during the whole 90mins and conceded 5 goals in the first half and 3 more after the break. Special mention to Ian McStraw in goal as without his heroics it would have been double figures!! So we'll finish the report there and look forward to an improved performance next week when Brackley Sports Res visit Horwood.
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GREAT HORWOOD 7 Hanslope 0
Saturday 20th February 2010
(Obiri, Sirett 3, Dixon 3)
After 2 heavy defeats Horwood bounced back in style with a comprehensive thrashing of Hanslope at Manor Fields with 7 (seven) unanswered goals in a excellent display of attacking football. After the early frost had cleared from the pitch and with a fresh but sunny afternoon it was a perfect afternoon for football and Horwood got off to a fast start as within the opening 2 mins a pinpoint pass from Richens was collected by Obiri who cooly finished when one on one with the keeper. After the quick start Horwood sat back a little too much and the visitors tried to get back into the game but skipper Hilliard with Sparks, Cronin and Reynolds were a match for the opponents. After 30mins Horwood doubled their lead when a quick break saw Cronin's 40 yard pass find Sirett who finished into the far corner to make it 2-0 and before the half time break Horwood had made it 3-0 when Sam Archer fed Dixon who beat the advancing keeper from a tight angle. So the half ended with Horwood in total control with a 3-0 lead but manager Walker wanted more from his players as some of the passing had been lacklustre at times.
The home team responded in the right way with a fourth goal coming within minutes of the re-start, it was again Richens causing havoc from the right wing as he cut inside and his shot was parried by the visiting keeper but Dixon was on hand to score from close range. It was now all Horwood and goals came at regular intervals, Sirett scored his second and Horwood's fifth when a quick free-kick from Sam Archer saw him round the keeper and score into an empty net. Dixon then completed his hat-trick when Eddie Archer released Sirett down the right and his cut back was hammered home by Dixon and shortly after Sirett matched his strike partner when he latched onto a clearance and raced clear to score through the keepers legs to make it a Magnificent Seven. An excellent all round performance by Horwood will hopefully see them start to climb out of the bottom half of the table and with games in hand over many of the teams above them a top 4 finish is still there to play for.
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GREAT HORWOOD 0 STOKE HAMMOND WANDERERS 3
Saturday 13th February 2010
After the disappointment of going out of the cup last weekend it was back to league action for Horwood and a difficult home game against a well organised Stoke Hammond side. Both teams started brightly in an open attacking match but neither side could trouble the opposing keepers in the early stages.
Both defence's were playing well and keeping the attackers to mainly long range chances which the visiting keeper and McStraw dealt with without alarm. As the half came to an end it was Horwood that looked the more dangerous and held the upper hand as the half time whistle sounded.
At the break Horwood know the first 10mins of the half would be important and looked for a good start, but as on pervious occasions the team as a whole seemed to stay in the changing rooms, with mins McStraw was desperately clawing back the ball from close to the line after a weak shot evaded him. It was hoped this would awaken the team from the slow start to the half but worst was to follow when some poor marking was punished with a goal scored at the near post. With the visitors tails up Horwood struggled to get back into the match and it wasn't long before they were caught again on a quick counter and Wanderers had a second.
The home team tried to rebuild and get back into the game but the now confident visitors struck again with the Wanderers forward completing a fine hat-trick and finishing the game at 3-0. Horwood tried to look for a consolation goal but wasteful finishing left the team empty handed and a poor 3-0 defeat at home. The team will hopefully shake off the performance and have another home fixture next Sat against Hanslope to get the season back on track.
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YARDLEY GOBION 6 GREAT HORWOOD 2
Saturday 6th February 2010
League Cup
Sam Archer (2)
Horwood didn't have the luck of the draw after their extra time win against top team Potterspury they now had to take on second placed Yardley Gobion away from home, a place where they were soundly beaten 6-2 in the league meeting back in September. Still Horwood were in good form going into the match and were confident of a good cup run, the match started with both teams playing decent football on a testing surface. After 10mins Horwood took the lead when a near post cross from Reynolds was flicked past the keeper by Jones and Sam Archer was on hand to finish and put Horwood 1-0 up, but this was just the start of a goal feast which saw Yardley equalise within mins when a home player rose completely unmarked to head home.
Shortly after a harsh free kick was awarded to the home side 30 yards out, this was hammered goalwards and a lucky deflection from a Yardley forward sent the ball past the helpless McStraw to make it 2-1. This was real end to end cup football and Horwood equalised when good work from Obiri down the right saw his cross deflect across the goal and that man Sam Archer was there to hammer home 2-2 but with the half nearly finished the home team scored a crucial 3rd goal when another corner saw a free header converted by the home team to take a 3-2 advantage into the break.
After some stern words during the interval it was Horwood that started the strongest and they pushed the home team back but the breaks didn't come Horwood's way and also with a combination of good keeping and some fortunate defending Horwood were kept at bay. As the game went along there was always the danger of Horwood being caught on the break pushing for the equaliser and mid way through the half this happened and the home side punished Horwood to take a 4-2 lead. Horwood still looked dangerous and had a couple of chances to get back into the game but failed to convert and it was the home team who finished the game strongly scoring twice more to give them a flattering 6-2 score line as in the earlier league meeting.
So in time honoured tradition Horwood are now free to concentrate on the league, with the news that Wing and Wolverton Town Res have dropped out thus opening up the chance for Horwood to clime the table and a top 3 place is definitely within their grasp.
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GREAT HORWOOD 2 POTTERSPURY 2
Saturday 30th January 2010
Sam Archer, Darren Siret
After the disappointment of the defeat on penalties last week in the Berks and Bucks cup it was back into league action for Gt Horwood against top of the table Potterspury, who Horwood had beaten in the lge cup after extra-time early in the season. It was a very cold afternoon and the pitch had defrosted enough to allow the game to go ahead, both teams started brightly playing some neat passing football. The visitors took the lead when Keeper McStraw miss hit his clearance straight to a Potterspury forward who raced into the box a scored, not the start Horwood had wanted.
But Horwood fought there way back into the game when a free kick Sam Archer sailed in at the back post with the visiting keeper blinded by the sun, good choice of ends by the said keeper! The game was open now with both teams pushing forward and Horwood had the chance to go into the break with a lead when Richens was tripped in the box but from the resulting penalty skipper Hilliard blazed over so the half time score stayed at 1-1.
From the start of the second half it was the visitors who took control of the game, pressing Horwood back and creating a few more chances but a combination of poor finishing and good defending kept the score at 1-1. Horwood were only able to threaten the Potterspury goal with brief counter attacks, but with 20mins to go during a foray into the Potterspury half a mix up between a defender and keeper allowed Sirett in to toe poke the ball into a empty net and total against the run of play Horwood had a 2-1 lead.
Potterspury now lay siege on the Horwood goal but still the efforts of Hilliard, Sparks, Reynolds and Wilson plus some inventive goalkeeping from McStraw kept the visitors out as the game moved towards the closing stages.
Of course as this was a Horwood game there was still time for more drama and with the clock ticking towards stoppage time the visitors pressure paid when long ball into the box was deflected a few times before falling to the feet of a visiting forward who couldn't miss from six yards out to make it 2-2. with just stoppage time left Potterspury pushed on again looking for a winner which would have been very harsh on a resolute Horwood display and after a weak penalty appeal was turn down and Horwood cleared a couple of late corners the points were shared at the full time whistle.
A real great team effort secured a good point for Horwood and they continue to climb the table with games in hand, next week it's another tough test as it's back to the lge cup and a visit to second placed Yardley Gobion.
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GREAT HORWOOD 1 Old WINDSOR 1 (AET)
Windsor win 4-3 on penalties
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Darren Sirett
After an enforced winter break of 7 weeks Horwood at last got back into action with a Berks & Bucks Cup game against Old Windsor from Div 1of the East Berks Lge. The game was doubtful right up to kick off after persistent rain had flooded parts of the pitch but an excellent effort from the groundsman and friends (Eddie, Derek, Ray, Steve B, Sylvia and Ref Neil Holman) allowed to game to start on time. After the long lay off both teams took their time to find a rhythm and it was a scrappy start to the match but as the half wore on Horwood started to take command. The home team were winning the midfield battle with Warner and Sam Archer working well, aided by Obiri and Jones out wide but Horwood just couldn't get the final ball right and the visitors held out to the half time interval.
The second half started with Horwood again looking the more likely to score with Richens and Sirett working hard up front and making a couple of half chances, the defensive unit looked in control with skipper Hilliard, Sparks, Wilson and birthday boy Reynolds playing well after the break. The game came to life midway through the half when Obiri should have scored from Archers centre but the ball was cleared. From the resulting corner, Archer's devilish delivery found Sirett to head home from close range. But Horwoods lead wouldn't last long as the Old Windsor fought back, and within 5 mins had equalised when a cross from the right was headed in at the near post giving McStraw no chance. The game opened up after the two quick goals and Horwood again looked the more dangerous team with Richens, Sirett and Obiri all going close but the game finished 1-1 and extra time.
After the long break from football for both teams the extra time period was very energy sapping and both team struggled to get any football going. Horwood had brought on fresh legs with Eddie Archer, Armitage and manager Walker all entering the fray but the couldn't energise the tiring team. The visitors put Horwood under some pressure at the end of the extra time but McStraw and his defenders held firm and it was into the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
O W - pushed wide of post, 0-0
Hilliard - scored high into the left corner, 1-0
O W - stuck into bottom right, 1-1
Sam Archer - low into left corner but well saved, 1-1
O W - blasted down the middle, 1-2
Sirett - scored high into left corner, 2-2
O.W - hit to right but excellent save from McStraw, 2-2
Richens - hit hard to the right, 3-2
O W - scored into bottom left corner, 3-3
Armitage - for the win but well saved in the left corner, 3-3
Sudden Death
O W - score into bottom right, 4-3
Eddie Archer - saved bottom right.
So Old Windsor win 4-3 on penalties and end Horwoods run in the Berks and Bucks cup.
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WOLVERTON TOWN RESERVES 3 GREAT HORWOOD 6
Saturday 5th December
Darren Sirett 3, Colin Richens 2, Neil Walker
Revenge was in the minds of the players as Horwood travelled to Wolverton Town this Sat after a 6-1 mauling in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season.
Wolverton Town Res had conceded their match last week against Potterspury, and when the visitors heard the dreaded news before the start that their first team fixture had been called off so the home team had draughted in a couple players from the first team (as in the first meeting) making it a tricky task.
Both teams started brightly on a difficult surface but the home team took control midway through the half aided by the wind and slope on the pitch, a neat one two sliced open the Horwood defence and left McStraw with no chance as the home team took the lead. Horwood looked to get back into the game and equalised just before half time when Sirett fired home after good work from Richens but there was still enough time for Horwood to concede again on the stroke of half time when a cross was deflected by the unfortunate Sparks into the visitors net to give the home team a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Again Manager Walker pulled no punches with his half time team talk and the lads responded from the first whistle of the second half, the flowing football returned and Horwood tore into the home team.
First Sparks made a break from the back only to see his shot parried but Jones put the rebound over, next Richens' cross shot just evaded Sirett at the far post. It was all Horwood and the equaliser came when Obiri's effort was stopped on the line but Sirett pounced to score from close range and the visitors took the lead when Obiri was crudely taken down by the keeper and Sirett stepped up to convert the penalty for his and Horwoods 3rd.
It was a blistering start to the half by Horwood but they couldn't keep it going and the home side battled back to equalise with 20mins to go to make it 3-3. Skipper Hilliard ask for the team to dig deep and Horwood produced some excellent football to take the lead again. A superb cross field ball from Wilson found the ever willing Richens who beat his man and fired home to make it 4-3 and within mins Horwood added a fifth when Walker lobbed the keeper 40 yards out on the near touchline to make the game safe.
Horwood could have added more with some quick counter attacks as Archer fed Dixon who held off the defenders before finding Walker but his shot came back of the post. The sixth goal did come in the final minutes when Richens again beat his man and fired past the keeper at his near post to finish off a wonderful 45mins for Horwood and make the final score a resounding 6-3 victory.
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MARSH GIBBON 1 GREAT HORWOOD 2
Saturday 28th November
Charles Obiri, Darren Sirett
After wins against two of the top three teams in the previous two weeks a trip to rock bottom Marsh Gibbon should have been a chance to pick up an easy win but as normally it was far from straight forward. The small pitch at Marsh just doesn't suit Horwoods football as pervious performances at the ground would show and this was again not one to look back on with any pride. Perhaps it was the exertions of the Wed night match that slowed Horwood down but the first half display was as bad a performance as had been seen all season. The match started with both team struggling to pass the ball on the difficult surface and after 30 mins neither goalkeeper had been tested however a harshly given free kick to the home team was expertly converted into the top corner to give Marsh a shock lead. The game now clicked into life with the visitors looking to raise their game to the levels seen in recent weeks, the response came quickly as Dixon was brought down in the box but his penalty was well saved by the home keeper. For the remainder of the half Horwood took control but couldn't find the final ball or touch to get the equaliser before the break so it was back to the changing rooms for an honest and lively half time chat from manager Walker.
With the words of the manager still ringing in the ears Horwood started the half on the front foot and looked dangerous everytime they went forward but the hard working home defence managed to cope with the odd stroke of luck. Manager Walker looked to freshen the team up and brought on both Obiri and Richens from the bench, the visitors now were camped out in the home half but just couldn't find the equaliser their improved second half performance deserved. The luck was still against Horwood as Richens struck the woodwork 3 times and Obiri, Armitage and Dixon went close before the crucial moment arrived as a high cross from Wilson was headed down by Dixon for Obiri to convert from 6 yards with only 10mins to go. The home team looked deflated and Horwood now went in search of the winner, they didn't have to wait long as within mins of the equaliser Obiri beat his man, drew out the keeper before crossing for the unmarked Sirett to tap home into the empty net and the comeback was complete. Horwood now shut up shop and played the game out with any alarm and were happy with the second half performance and the 3 points to move them into mid table with games in hand.
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GREAT HORWOOD 1 Steeple Claydon 3
Wednesday 25th November
Alan Holman Cup
Adam Dixon (pen)
A difficult draw was given to Horwood in this season Alan Holman Cup with Premier league leaders Steeple Claydon to play under the lights at a cold and wet Buckingham Athletic ground. Horwood had Ian McStraw back in goal and he was on fine form during a testing first half making 3 excellent saves to keep Claydon at bay. As the half continue Horwood started to compete with their well drilled opponents and caused a few problems to their back line but with 45 mins up and into stoppage time Claydon struck when their midfielder was afforded too much room on the edge of our box and drove home giving McStraw no chance. It was a cruel blow so late in the half and the half time whistle was blown straight after the kick off.
The second half seemed to be flowing first with Claydon starting strongly and skipper Hilliard and Warner at the heart of Horwoods defence were being tested but with help from Wilson and Chris McStraw they kept the score at 1-0. The midfield worked hard to match their physical opponents with Sam and Eddie Archer battling hard in the middle of the park and Jones and Armitage helping from the wings, and the front two of Richens and Dixon occupied the Claydon back three. With 20 mins to go Horwood were reduced to 10 men when Jones handled on the line and was sent off and Claydon thought the game was save when the resulting kick was converted to make it 2-0, only just though with McStraw nearly keeping the ball out. Horwood pushed on again and were rewarded when a short corner from Archer saw sub Sirett brought down inside the area and Dixon coolly put away the spot kick. The 10 men of Horwood pushed forward looking for the equaliser which their efforts deserved but this as always was going to be risky and they were made to pay when Claydon added a 3rd in the last 5 mins to make it 3-1 and that's how it finished.
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GREAT HORWOOD 2 Potterspury 1 AET (1-1 FT)
Saturday 21st November
Intermediate Trophy
Sirett 2
Horwood marched through to the next round of the league trophy with an excellent win over league leaders Potterspury in difficult conditions and with manager Walker in goal. With both usual first team keepers unavailable it was left to Walker to don the gloves and he was always going to be tested by the divisions top team. But with the help of a stubborn defence of skipper Hilliard, Sparks, McCabe and Wilson the home team kept the visitors at bay and even created a couple of half chances for the dangerous Obiri and Richens up front. It was a physical encounter and Wilson was fortunate to not receive a second yellow for a late challenge and both teams had players go in the book throughout the afternoon. The first half finished goal less but the visitors were the happier team as they had to combat the wind which favoured the home team.
The second half started in a heavy downpour and the visitors were soon taking advantage of the conditions and put Horwood under real pressure but Walker stood firm in goal with some excellent saves. With the midfield of Sam & Eddie Archer, Warner and Armitage working hard to help out the over run defence the home team looked to have battled through the fast start to the half. But a well worked corner ended with Walker being drawn out of his goal and a well placed cross saw the visitors head into an empty net. Horwood pushed up now looking for the equaliser bringing on a 3rd Archer (Terry) and the semi-fit Sirett. The game was now well and truly stretched which suited Horwood's fast passing game and the equaliser came with under 10 mins to go when a through ball found it's way to Sirett who finished past the out rushing Keeper. This set up a frantic final few mins and the referee was needed to cool down the players from both sides when play got a little too competitive, but the 90mins ended with the teams level at 1-1 and extra time was needed.
With the advantage of the wind in the first period of extra time Horwood pushed forward looking to take the lead, but were denied by the visitors defence and couldn't trouble the keeper. Still Horwood looked to be the stronger of the two teams with the visitors starting to tire and the home team still believed they could take the match even playing into the strengthening wind in the second period. Both teams pushed back and forth in the opening 10mins of the half but the last 5mins of the match were eventful to say the least. Firstly Horwood took the lead when Sirett was on hand to scramble the ball home from close range, this brought the visitors into all out attack and Horwood now looked to defend the closing stages. A succession of corners heroically defended by the whole team lead to a break out and Horwood thought the game was safe but the ref continued to play stoppage time. Another couple of corners ended with a mass appeal from the visitors for a penalty when a forward went over Keeper Walkers challenge but he had managed to get his hands to the ball (just!!). The ball broke to the visitors with Walker still down from the challenge but a great goal line block from Sparks saved the day. More stoppage time was added and a few more corners were dealt with before the final whistle was blown to happy Horwood ears. It was a excellent battling performance and progression into the cup quarter finals was in the end deserved for the home side.
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GREAT HORWOOD 5 Wing 0
Saturday 14th November
Berks and Bucks Cup Round 2
(Darren Sirett 3, Colin Richens 2)
With the wind howling straight down the pitch Horwood took on a Wing team featuring several Horwood old boys in the second round of the Berks and Buck Cup.
The visitors won the toss and decided to play into the howling gale in the first half and try and hold Horwood out and capitalise in the second half. Still Horwood started the game brightly but found it difficult to find the final ball to some good approach play, but it was only going to be a matter of time as the ball was permanently in the Wing half.
The breakthrough came mid-way through the half when the ball broke to Richens on the edge of the box and he smashed it home. Horwood were on top now and doubled their lead when Sirett turned and slotted past the visiting keeper and in the closing moments of the half he added a 3rd with a curling effort from the edge of the box to give Horwood a deserved 3-0 half time lead.
The second half was always going to test Horwood's defence playing into the strengthening wind but the home team know if they stick to their passing game would be able to trouble the visiting goal. This was proved to be right in the opening exchanges with Wing putting pressure on the Horwood back four but Hilliard, Sparks, McCabe and Reynolds held firm with the ever ready McStraw behind them.
This allowed the Archer brothers in the middle of the park to control the central regions and supply Horwoods dangerous wide men in Armitage and Obiri.
Horwood virtually killed the tie off when Obiri forced a good save from the keeper but Sirett was there to tap home to complete his hat trick from 2 inches to make it 4-0.
Probably the best goal of the match was saved till last when the home team put together a wonderful flowing break which resulted in Richens being left one on one with the keeper and he calmly beat him to complete his brace and make it 5 without reply. The rest of the match was played out with Horwood always looking in control and moved through to the 3rd round for the first time in a decade.
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GREAT HORWOOD 4 Twyford 2
Saturday 7th November
Charles Obiri, Colin Richens, Darren Sirett, Adam Armitage
After a disappointing week with defeats to E & H and Stewkley, Horwood had the league leaders to contend with on a windy day at Castle Fields. Manager Walker knew he had to get his team fired up for the game and it worked as Horwood started strongly against the high flying Twyford, and it was deserved when good play down the Horwood left saw Obiri cooly beat the keeper to give the home team a 5th min lead. The Home team continued to press and looked to add to their early lead but just couldn't find the finishing touches to some superb flowing football. Twyford got back into the game 10mins before half time a cross was fortunately turn past keeper McStraw via boot, chest and head of the visitors striker. But this was the end of the first half action as Horwood bounced straight back with another flowing move which Richens thumped home to give the home team a 2-1 deserved half time lead.
The second half started as the first with Horwood dominating across the pitch with an excellent whole hearted team performance but they were unable to add to their lead. As the half wore on Horwood became frustrated they couldn't find the third killer goal and they were made to pay when a hopeful cross was unfortunately fumbled into his own net by McStraw to make it 2-2 and anybody's game. The goal encouraged the visitors and McStraw redeemed himself with a fine save from a deflected effort. Horwood made a double change with the young legs of E.Archer and Armitage coming on, the home team pushed forward again and after a couple of close efforts retook the lead when a cross was turned into the net by Sirett to put Horwood 3-2 with 5mins to go and Twyford looked a beaten side. The result was given a fairer look when with the last kick of the match Armitage hammered home from the edge of the box to make it 4-2 to a delighted Home team.
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GREAT HORWOOD 1 Stewkley 3
Thursday 5th November
Colin Richens
Cup nights at Buckingham are always looked forward too by the players, so this was a chance to put behind them the disappointing performance at E & H and take on Premier league opposition in Stewkley. Horwood started the game brightly and pressurised the Stewkley back four with Dixon and Richens working well up front. With 15mins gone Horwood took a deserved lead when a long ball out of defence was flicked on by Armitage for Richens to race onto and hammer home into the far corner from the edge of the box. Horwood continued to take the match to Stewkley and their keeper was the busier with saves from Dixon and both Sam and Eddie Archer but Horwood couldn't find the second goal their play deserved. Then on the stroke of half time Stewkley got back into the match with a well taken equaliser that they barely deserved.
Horwood know they had to start well as they did in the first half but they were undone within mins when a hopefully through ball was chased down and Stewkley were 2-1 up and Horwood had to chase the game. The goal seemed to galvanise the Stewkley team and it was they who were on the front foot for longer periods in the second half but Horwood still looked dangerous going forward but couldn't find the killer touch or ball to equalise. The game was finished off with 10mins to go when Stewkley added a 3rd goal and they held on to win 3-1 and send Horwood to their second defeat in as many games.
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GREAT HORWOOD 6 MK Titan Reserves 2
Saturday 24th October
Adam Dixon 2, Charles Obiri 2, Sam Archer, Colin Richens
On the back of 2 drawn league games Horwood looked for a home win over MK Titans Res which would take them into mid table which their recent form had deserved.
With a traditional strong wind down the pitch Horwood took advantage during a sensational first 45mins with the home team ripping the Titans defence to shreds from the very start of the match.
With waves of attacks Horwood took an early lead when Sam Archers free kick was headed in by Dixon at the far post, Horwood continued to press in the early stages and went further ahead when Obiri finished off a smart flowing move. With Horwood in total control of the match now it was a case of when the goal would go in instead of if and Sam Archer made it 3-0 capitalising on a defence mix up, then it was Dixon striking home his 2nd and Horwoods 4th. The 5th goal came from a flowing move which finish with Dixon squaring to Colin Richens to score and there was still time for Charles Obiri who saved the best to last with a solo run from well inside his own half before beating the keeper from the edge of the box to make the half time score a remarkable 6-0 to Horwood.
During the half time team talk manager Walker expressed how important it was to keep playing but look to try and keep a clean sheet even though the visitors were bound to try and take advantage of the windy conditions.
But the second half was a complete turn around and Horwood's football must have stayed in the changing rooms as it was MK Titans who took control of the match. Horwood couldn't match their first half passing game and continued to give the ball away and it was no surprise when the visitors scored when a corner kick was allowed to bounce across the 6 yard box and was finished off at the far post. Titans scored again when Warner gave away a penalty to make it 6-2 but these 2 goals woke Horwood up and they managed to see the game out without any other alarms.
It could have been better for Horwood and Dixon when he looked to have completed a hat-trick only for the linesman to harshly rule him offside, but a 6-2 win was always a good result and with only 1 defeat in the previous 7 games Horwood will be looking for another 3 points at E & H on Halloween's Day next Sat.
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STOKE HAMMOND 3 GREAT HORWOOD 3
Saturday 17th October
C. Obiri, A. Dixon (2)
Horwood faced a middle table battle against newly promoted Stoke Hammond and a exciting match it turned out to be with plenty of incident. The game started and it was Horwood that carried the game to the home team and took a deserved lead when Obiri was on hand to score from close range after Sam Archer squared the ball.
It looked as if Horwood would go 2-0 up when Obiri again got the better of the home defence and keeper and was about to roll the ball into an empty net but the ref adjudge he'd pulled back the last defender and gave a free kick to the astonishment of most watching. Still Horwood finished the half strongly and a 1-0 lead was the least they deserved.
The match really came to life in the second half, about 25mins in a break down the Horwood right saw a hopeful cross somehow sail into the net to make it 1-1. Shortly after Horwood should have taken command of the match when Obiri stormed through the home defence to knock the ball past the keeper who took Obiri out, penalty and the keeper off was the only decision the ref could make. After an age of re-organising and substitutions Obiri stepped up to take the pen but a weak effort was easily saved by the res keeper.
With the extra man Horwood looked to get in front but left holes at the back and it was the home team who scored next with a quick counter attack. Horwood responded by bringing on Dixon who was on the bench due to a slight injury and he was on hand to score from close range to make it 2-2 with on 5 min left.
Still time for a crazy finale as another break by Stoke Hammond saw them score what they believed was the winner but Horwood and Dixon in particular had other ideas. With the clock ticking into stoppage time the ball arrived to Dixon on the corner of the box and he ghosted around the last defender and hammered home to make it 3-3 with only enough time to just restart the match.
So another draw for Horwood from a fighting performance but manager Walker and the players was left thinking with the extra man it should have been all 3 points!
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GREAT HORWOOD 2 Santander AFC 2
Saturday 10th October
C. Obiri (2)
Another sunny Saturday afternoon greeted Horwoods home game against a well organised AFC Santander and both teams were evenly matched during the early exchanges.
But as the half continued it was the home team that looked more likely to open the scoring. They did when with 30mins gone a through ball from Walker found the darting Obiri who first time lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to take the lead. This lifted the Horwood team into some excellent passing football but they couldn't add to their account and the half finished with the home team 1-0 to the good.
The second half started with Horwood still on the front foot and looking to increase their lead, they continued to press the opposition back but couldn't find the finishing touches to their moves. But with the back four holding AFC at bay Horwood looked in control, and with 20mins to go Horwood managed to increase their lead when Obiri was again in the right place as the keeper fumbled Hilliard shot to slot home to make it 2-0 and put the home side in complete control.
Then the game was turn on it's head within a 5 crazy mins spell, first the visitors crossed in a hopefull free kick which sailed into the far corner giving McStraw no chance and then the home team over committed playing the ball out of defence to concede again. This set up an exciting finish in which both teams had chances to win the match but the closest was when Dixon's curling shot came back off the post.
So the game ended 2-2 with Horwood disappointed not to have taken all 3 points but a good solid performance apart from that crazy 5 mins spell.
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GREAT HORWOOD 3 Royal British Legion 0
Saturday 3rd October
(A.Dixon 2 [1 pen], S.Archer)
Horwood eased into the next round of the Berks and Bucks cup with a good solid performance against RBL in difficult blustery conditions. The home team started well and seemed to have control of the ball for minutes before the visitors could even get a touch. This domination was turned into goals within 15mins when a defence splitting pass from Warner was taken on by Sirett who was taken out by the keeper for a penalty even if replays suggested the keeper fouled him outside the box, but Dixon cooly converted to put the home team into a deserved lead.
Horwood continued to boss the match and when a free kick was taken short to player/manager Walker his shot was glanced in by Dixon to double the advantage just before the half time break.
Playing with the wind in the second half Horwood failed to take the advantage but still controlled most of the game. The visitors attacked rarely and when they did manage to get past Warner and Eddie Archer in midfield the back four of Walker, Hilliard, Sparks and Medri coped without having to trouble McStraw in goal too often.
Horwood still had chances with Dixon and Jones going close before Sam Archer wrapped up the win with a opportunist strike beating the visiting keeper at his near post, a good win and Horwood will be looking to take this form back into the league campaign next Sat.
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YARDLEY GOBION 6 GREAT HORWOOD 2
Saturday 26th September
Another hot Saturday afternoon and Horwood were in action at Yardley Gobion who had started the season with 5 consecutive wins, so the visitors knew it was going to be a tough afternoon.
Both teams started with some nice passing football, but it was the home team who showed the greater threat and there physical dominance had them 2-0 up midway through the half with crosses being headed in at the far post on both occasions. But Horwood still created a couple of chances but Yardley broke from a spell of Horwood pressure to add a third and Horwood were guilty of sloppy play to allow a 4th on the stroke of half time.
Horwood knew they had to raise they standards in the 2nd half and play with pride to not let the result get away from them, but within 5 mins found themselves 5-0 down as a series of unlucky bounces and deflections saw the ball bobble into the Horwood net.
But the fight asked for appeared and Horwood began to take the game to Yardley, playing some good passing football and standing up to the home sides physically. They were rewarded when Obiri burst through to the edge of the box and smashed the ball home (only the 2nd goal Yardley had conceded this season) which put Horwood on the front foot.
A spell of continued pressure from the visitors brought another goal for Obiri when a corner caused confusion in the home box and he fired home from close range to make the scoreline a little fairer on the visitors. But just before the final whistle Yardley again broke away to score a sixth and the game ended 6-2 but Horwood did show what they could do in a much improved second half.
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HANSLOPE 2 GREAT HORWOOD 2
Saturday 19th September
After a excellent performance on the previous weekend Horwood started the game against winless Hanslope expecting 3 easy points, but after a disastrously slow start to both half were lucky to come away with a point. The home side started brightly and took the lead when a deep cross was volleyed in at the far post by the Hanslope left winger. Horwood struggled to find their passing game for most of the half, but with 10mins of the half remaining created a move which set McCabe free down the right and his dangerous cross caused panic in the Hanslope box which resulted in the home centre back gaving away a penalty for a push on Sirett. Dixon step up and cooly sent the keeper the wrong way to level the scores at half time.
Manager Walker read the riot act during the break and looked for a response but after a few breaks Horwood again gave away the advantage. A needless free kick was floated into the far post and the knock down fell to one of three unmarked players to hammer in past the unprotected McStraw in goal. With the game drifting away from the visitor's it was teenager Eddie Archer on his league debut who bundled home the ball after the keeper failed to hold a free kick with only 5mins left.
Horwood then pushed for the winner but it wasn't coming and it would have been harsh on a battling Hanslope side.
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GREAT HORWOOD 3 Great Linford 0
Saturday 12th September
On a hot sunny afternoon Horwood 1st team got their season up and running with a well deserved victory over Gt Linford. From the first whistle the home team dominated the game looking solid at the back with Sparks, Archer, Hilliard and Wilson looking comfortable in front of skipper Tank, and with the midfield showing plenty of enterprise and energy it would only be a matter of time before they made the advantage count.
With 20mins gone Horwood got their deserved breakthrough when Dixon raced onto a Sam Archer through ball and whilst holding off a couple of defenders coolly fired home to break the deadlock. The second goal came shortly after when Warner's pinpoint pass found Sirett to stroke home to make it 2-0 at half time.
Horwood knew the next goal was crucial and pushed on at the start of the half but failed to increase the lead despite a couple of half chances. They were nearly made to pay for this when a huge goal kick caught the otherwise excellent back four out of position and Terry Archer was adjudged to have fouled the on rushing striker and a penalty was awarded. But the chance to bring Linford back into the game at 2-1 was snatched away when Skipper Tank Ashby saved the spot kick superbly to preserve the 2 goal advantage.
Soon after Horwood made the game safe when after a goal mouth scramble the ball fell to Richard Jones at the corner of the box and he rifled in a curling shot into the far corner to make it 3-0 and secure 3 points.
A fine all round performance by the whole squad which can hopefully be taken on into the rest of the season.
Dates for your Diary
Great Horwood Football Club
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