Welcome aboard the home of Hype Train Football Club. Here, you can read the match reports from the train's outing across Saturday & Sunday League action throughout the 2023/24 season, with the team competing in the East Berkshire Football League (EBFL) and the Reading & District Sunday League (RDSL). All aboard.
Match Report: Hype Train FC
Date: Wednesday 23rd August 2023
Competition: EBFL Premier Division (Game 1)
Opposition: Southcote FC
Location: Blessed Hugh Faringdon School, Southcote, Reading
Final Score: Southcote FC 7-2 Hype Train FC
Photographer: Sam Austin
Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk
Match Report:
The train's encounter against Southcote FC was our first competitive match of the 2023/24 season, with the team making the short trip to Hugh Farringdon School to take on Southcote in EBFL's Premier Division - our first Saturday League match in over a year.
A close opening 15 minutes saw both teams compete, though on the turn of the 16th minute the hosts found an opener when a turnover of possession led to a Southcote counter that was worked from right to left, resulting in a bobbled shot from their right winger finding the back of the net.
Southcote were then able to double their lead during the 29th minute when a mix up at the back led to the team being unable to clear our lined and allowed Southcote's right winger poke home a shot over the team and to the top-right of the goal. Two minutes later, a coming together involving Kie Longmate and an opposing player led to a penalty being awarded, and converted calmly for a 3-0 lead. A bad five minutes during the 34th minute led to Southcote's right midfielder finding a bit of luck as the ball bobbled in his favour twice when he was tackled, which led to a near-post shot that somehow squirmed in to extends the hosts lead.
The train were able to pull a goal back, our first in competitive action this season, during the 28th minute when Chris Marshall played a ball down the right channel, which was controlled well by Nick Parfitt, who on the turn played an excellent through pass to Padraig Gorman - through on goal, Gorman made no mistake when one-on-one to give the team somewhat of a lifeline.
Southcote's strong first-half ended with a hat-trick being completed for their right winger when the team weren't able to clear our lines defensively, with the ball dropping on a plate for their star player to strike home from close range.
A much improved second-half saw a second goal for the team, starting when Parfitt was fouled on the right wing following from a throw in on the right in the 58th minute. Parfitt then stepped up to take the dead ball and delivered a deep cross that was put on the head of Kie Longmate to score with his head into the roof of the net! From the next attack from a won corner, Longmate put the ball in the back of the net again - though confusion followed. The referee initially ruled the goal out, then allowed it to stand, then spoke to the Southcote team, to then change his mind - firstly telling us their was a foul for an uncontested header, then that there was a handball - which denied us the opportunity to go 5-3.
Rounding off a good home win, a mistake from Robert Austin in goal with a scuffed kick led to a Southcote player striking a first-time effort on the outside of his boot from nearly the half way line that looped over and straight in - some goal for Southcote. The 9th and final goal then came again from the penalty spot during the 78th minute when the referee adjudged a 50-50 challenge between Longmate and an opposing player to be a penalty. Another calm and composed penalty completed the goal scoring, and a win for Southcote on opening day.
Next up for the train, we are involved in the EBFL's first Showcase match of the season, taking on Prestwood FC Reserves at Burnham FC's 1878 Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28th 2023 (12:00pm kick-off). Spectators are welcome at the ground and more details can be found on the embedded tweet below.
Thoughts from Club Secretary, Robert Austin:
"Today's result saw Southcote deservedly win their EBFL opener against the team, though there were a lot of positives for us to take. They punished our mistakes, blips of sloppiness, and really started strong in the game, taking advantage of a poor period in the first-half where we struggled. Besides that, we improved in the second-half, had a goal ruled out at 5-2, and got the ball down and actually played football. We have real quality in areas, it just needs to click for us, and we will be OK, just need to keep growing together and building game-to-game.
The only major negative for us was the league being unable to source the game a referee, and the one organised was weak and that played into Southcote's hands perfectly. We felt like the game flowed with the calls based on what the home team and their management screamed for, so it was frustrating that we've gone through a few teething pains again in the EBFL right off the bat.
As a football organiser, regardless of the result I am overwhelmed that this first step has been taken in the club's return to Saturday Football. I'm still learning the new players we have brought in, and most haven't played yet, so I'm under no illusions that we are in a natural transition that will hopefully lead to two healthy squads across both squads. We just need some time, patience, and to learn from every experience, and we'll be fine. We have some really quality, both in ability and character, and it is only a matter of time before we take that next step.
Thank you to Southcote for organising the match at your great home pitch at Hugh Faringdon, the facilities were top notch and we wish you the best in the season, and well done on the win."
Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad
Manager: Robert Austin
Starting 11:
GK: Jamie Halsall (Mmanga 46')
DEF: Joe Sawyer
DEF: Chris Marshall
DEF: Kie Longmate (Parfitt 71')
DEF: Robert Austin
MID: Taren Langa (Longmatey 46')
MID: Cory McManus (Choudhry 63')
MID: Mitchell Saunders
MID: Nick Parfitt (Freemantle 62')
MID: Padraig Gorman
FOR: Phil Newport
Substitutes:
SUB: Usamah Choudhry
SUB: Will Longmatey
SUB: Anwar Mmanga
SUB: Christian Freemantle
Goals & Assists:
Goal 1: Gorman (goal), Parfitt (assist)
Goal 2: Longmate (goal), Parfitt (assist)
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in general football and Fantasy sports reporting, starting with Fantasy Premier League (FPL), before expanding to MLS Fantasy coverage in 2018.
We pride ourselves in providing beautiful graphics, statistics, in-depth analytical reporting and free weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb rankings tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review games, live sport, and professional wrestling.
In 2019, Hype Train Football Club was formed, becoming the first Fantasy Football website to take to the field. HTFC is a socially active team across social and web channels, providing regular match highlights, match reports, comprehensive player statistics and unique player profiles. We won both Goal of the Season Awards in the Berkshire and County FA regions, with Callum Parr-Jones winning the Berks & Bucks FA award, whilst Martin King won the PlaySport UK award.
In 2021, we formed the Reading Sunday Social League (RSSL), a competitive Sunday League involving 8 teams in its debut season. During the 2021/22 season, we won our first-ever trophy, lifting the East Berkshire Football League's Presidents Cup!
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog' in 2016 by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), and were again shortlisted as a finalist in 2019 in the 'Best Fantasy Football Blog' category.
You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, follow Hype Train FC on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, visit our club's dedicate website, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk
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