Hype Train FC played our first competitive game of the 2020/21 as we began life in East Berkshire Football League's Division One, with the team visiting Iver Heath FC. Read the match report from our first away trip of the season as we made the visit to Iver Heath's Recreation Ground in the the Slough region. All aboard.
Match Report: Iver Heath FC vs. Hype Train FC:
Date: 3rd October 2020
Competition: East Berkshire Football League, Division One (Game 1)
Opposition: Iver Heath FC
Location: Iver Heath Recreation Ground, Church Rd, Iver, SL0 0PN
Final Score: Iver Heath FC 2-0 Hype Train FC
Photographer: Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam)
Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk
Match Report:
Our league opener was our sixth visit to the Slough area since August after a lengthy pre-season campaign away from home, including a trip to the hosts, Iver Heath. With points on the line, both teams were well organised and hard to break down in a tight first-half.
The hosts went closing to scoring twenty minutes into the game when their right midfielder was through on goal, but his left-footed effort went high and wide of our goal. We probed from range with long range efforts from Jamie Carter and Sam Bolwell, though we weren't able to make the most of several set-piece opportunities.
The opening goal arrived 32-minutes into the encounter when a short corner from Iver went into the box. Collected by Jack Roche, the shot-stopper dropped the ball and the ball was pounced upon and slotted into an empty net, to gift the hosts the lead.
The second-half saw another back and forth affair, with Chris Marshall making a brilliant last-ditch tackle in our penalty area to dent their number 23 a clear goal-scoring opportunity. A header from their talisman, Liam Connor, also flashed wide, as the hosts looked for a second.
Phil Newport had one attempt at goal from just outside the box, before substitute Dany Setiawan was set free on goal, though Setiawan's effort was unable to make the Iver keeper work.
Committing more men forward in attack, the contest was killed off a few minutes before the end of the game when their forward, Liam Connor struck a very good first-time effort into the far-left corner, to extend Iver's lead, meaning the hosts escaped with all three points on opening day. Well done on the win, Iver.
Man of the Match: Robert Austin (CB)
The club's Manager started the season in central defence alongside Marin Pendov and the pair were excellent in keeping quiet a good attacking unit. Austin, who typically plays at left-back, was committed in every challenge and led the team by example in a tightly-contested opening game.
Thoughts from Player Manager, Robert Austin:
"We knew the size of the fixture heading into this game and had identified what we needed to do to get a result. We hit a good level of performance and matched Iver across the pitch. We kept their attackers quiet and had a few chances of our own to threaten. I couldn't be happier with our application, even in defeat, and based on the performance alone I know that on another day we get a result.
The two goals came from an error and a very late goal when we have to commit more men forward as we look for an equaliser. The game was played at a good standard and had very little in it and was a game stacked with two teams that worked and grafted hard from first whistle to last.
We now have a good foundation to take away from this game as we look to bounce against Hambleden at home next week, weather pending of course. I'm sure the team are keen and eager to bounce back too and are hungry for the goals and points to kick-start the season.
Congratulations to Iver Heath on an opening day win, I believe we made you work hard for the three points and did well to come away with the win."
Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad
Starting 11:
GK: Jack Roche
DEF: Rod Stevens
DEF: Marin Pendov
DEF: Robert Austin
DEF: Dominic Clarke
MID: Sammy Seville (Setiawan 65')
MID: Chris Marshall (Seville 78')
MID: Sam Bolwell (Akemche '64)
MID: Callum Fox-Spence (Bolwell 78')
MID: Jamie Carter (Watkins 53')
FOR: Phil Newport
Substitutes:
SUB: Jon Watkins
SUB: Dany Setiawan
SUB: Colins Akemche
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in 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.
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, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk
All aboard.
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