HOPPERS GET THE BLUESMANOR PARK RANGER 4 GROUNDHOPPERS BLUE 1
The pic shows how entertaining the game was :-))
Groundhoppers Blue went into the first game of the season full of optimism after a very good pre-season and after the win of their very first trophy.
The first 10 minutes were quite even with Hoppers playing the better football. Manor Park's tactics were to play the long ball to their striker who had pace. But time and time again he was caught offside but the threat was always there. With Hoppers well off the pace and giving the ball away at every opportunity it was inevitable that the long ball would catch us out. And so it did as Manor Park registered their first of the game. Then before the half they made it two after Hoppers gave the ball away again.
The second half was better for the first 20 minutes as Hoppers kept the ball better. Charlie had a header cleared off the line, which looked like a hand but the ref was not interested. Charlie was then slipped through for a one on one but his effort was saved. Straight after that Manor Park's long ball again caused problems. Hoppers could not clear their lines and went 3 down. Heads started to drop and mistakes continued. Manor Park took the imitative and made it 4-0. With time running out Jordan Brown grabbed a consolation.
A game to forget for GH Blue but plenty of time to make amends starting this weekend against Park Road at home.
Man of the match: Darren Nicely-Price
Ahmet Gul, Dean Morrison, Paul Patten, Peter Lawrence, Billy Callaway, David Lawrence, Johnston Brown, Samuel Jacques, Kadeem Wallace, Charlie Adams, Darren Nicely-Prince, Adrian Steele, Aaron Walker, Jordan Brown
The first 10 minutes were quite even with Hoppers playing the better football. Manor Park's tactics were to play the long ball to their striker who had pace. But time and time again he was caught offside but the threat was always there. With Hoppers well off the pace and giving the ball away at every opportunity it was inevitable that the long ball would catch us out. And so it did as Manor Park registered their first of the game. Then before the half they made it two after Hoppers gave the ball away again.
The second half was better for the first 20 minutes as Hoppers kept the ball better. Charlie had a header cleared off the line, which looked like a hand but the ref was not interested. Charlie was then slipped through for a one on one but his effort was saved. Straight after that Manor Park's long ball again caused problems. Hoppers could not clear their lines and went 3 down. Heads started to drop and mistakes continued. Manor Park took the imitative and made it 4-0. With time running out Jordan Brown grabbed a consolation.
A game to forget for GH Blue but plenty of time to make amends starting this weekend against Park Road at home.
Man of the match: Darren Nicely-Price
Ahmet Gul, Dean Morrison, Paul Patten, Peter Lawrence, Billy Callaway, David Lawrence, Johnston Brown, Samuel Jacques, Kadeem Wallace, Charlie Adams, Darren Nicely-Prince, Adrian Steele, Aaron Walker, Jordan Brown
TONY ELLIS TROPHY WINNERS!
Groundhoppers Blue picked up their first ever trophy in only their second season.
The Tony Ellis Trophy was an 11-a-side tournament run by the Metropolitan Sunday League at Crofton Albion. All money raised went to the Chernobyl Charity Project and will now fund for a child to come over to England for respite.
Group 2 Games
GH Blue 1-0 Foxes
Hoppers Blue came up against Foxes from Division 2 a side who where relegated from Division 1 last season. In a tight game that could have gone either way, Darren Nicely-Prince cooly slotted in the one and only goal of the game, Thierry Henry esc. With time running out Foxes almost nicked a draw but Ahmet Gul produced one of the saves of the tournament tipping over a top corner bound strike.
GH Blue 2-3 Welling Allstars
Hoppers Blue lost their one and only game against a side from Division 1 after they where relegated from the Senior Division last season.
Welling took the lead with an unstoppable 25 yarder. Within seconds of the re-start, Dean Morrison played a lovely ball over the top for Danny Galvin, which he took on his chest and lobbed the stranded keeper. In a mad 5 minutes Welling went 3-1 in front at the break. Hoppers re-grouped and dominated the second half. Welling's resilience was finally broken when Jordan Brown headed in to make it 3-2. Terry Martin almost nicked a draw but the Welling keeper made a fine save which won them the game.
GH Blue 2-1 Slade Green
Hoppers needed a win after their first loss against Division 5 side Slade Green. Charlie Adams made it 1-0 from 20 yards before doubling his and Hoppers tally with a terrific strike into the top corner. 2-0 up and cruising Hoppers took their foot off the gas and let Slade Green back into the game. Dean Morrison gave away a penalty which was converted, then Slade hit the bar before their centre back went on a terrific run but was denied by Billy Callaway on the line. Adrian Steele almost wrapped up the victory but couldn't finish in the tightest of angles.
GH Blue 1-0 Honor Oak
With Hoppers on 6 pts, Honor Oak on 5 pts and Foxes already through on 7 pts it came down to the final group game to determine weather Hoppers would get through or not. A draw would have been enough but with a win we could top the group. Hoppers Blue dominated from start to finish, George wasn't tested once and Hoppers looked dangerous with every attack. So it was no surprise when Darren Nicely-Prince scored the winning goal after great approach play from Jordan Brown and Charlie Adams. 1-0 was enough for Hoppers to progress to the Semi-Final and top the group.
Tony Ellis Semi-Final
GH Blue 3-0 Crofton Albion
Crofton Albion where the hosts and the highest ranked team in the tournament. They play in the Senior Division which is one from the top and where favourites going into the game.
Hoppers continued where they left off against Honor Oak with a commanding and dominating display. This was some of the best football Hoppers Blue have ever produced and took the lead through Danny Galvin with a 20 yard deflected strike. After a few of changes at half time Hoppers Blue pressed for the second. Jordan Brown hassled the Albion full back into a mistake and punished him with a brilliant strike to put Hoppers two up. Peter Lawrence then gave away a penalty but George Healey made a great save to keep the two goal lead. Charlie Adams then whipped in a quality cross from the right for Joe Carter to side foot home Hoppers third and book a place in the final.
TONY ELLIS TROPHY FINAL
Groundhoppers Blue 0-0 Elmstead Strollers (1-0 PENS)
After a long day and a lot of tiered legs Hoppers finally had their chance to bring home their first silver wear.
Hoppers started the brighter and look the more likely to score with efforts from Charlie Adams, Danny Galvin and Darren Nicely-Prince making the keeper work. Strollers almost took the lead but the post came to the rescue and then the Strollers striker miss cued his effort with the goal at his mercy. The second half was all Hoppers, Charlie Adams was brought down in the box and the ref gave a penalty. Adams stepped up himself but the keeper who was having an immense game saved it. Jordan Brown & Joe Carter where to be denied by the Strollers Keeper as well. So the game went into 5 minutes of extra time and again Hoppers where denied with efforts from Jordan Brown, Galvin and Nicely-Prince.
After extra-time the deadlock could not be broken and so we went into a sudden death penalty.
Dean Morrison had the bottle to step up but unfortunately his effort went over. Strollers needed to score to win but George Healey made another penalty save, diving to his right to keep Hoppers in it. Up stepped Kadeem Wallace and he made no mistake and sent the keeper the wrong way. Hoppers knew that a Strollers miss would win them the trophy. A nervous looking guy stepped up and Healey made a terrific save diving this time to his left to send Hoppers Blue into wild celebrations.
After a long day and about 8 hours of football and waiting around Hoppers deserved to win the whole tournament. We where the better side, played the best football, scored the most goals and conceded the least. Every single player contributed in their own way so if I was to name my player of the tournament it would be the whole team!
Well done lads, I said we could do it (if you read my column I wrote last week lol) and now I believe we have the desire, quality and players to go on and win another Cup and the League. What a cracking way to kick start our season! It all starts on Sunday against Manor Park Rangers, Division Four Champions @ Eltham Goals.
Championo, Championo, olay, olay!! Championo, Championo...........!!!!
Written by manager: Johnston Brown.
The Tony Ellis Trophy was an 11-a-side tournament run by the Metropolitan Sunday League at Crofton Albion. All money raised went to the Chernobyl Charity Project and will now fund for a child to come over to England for respite.
Group 2 Games
GH Blue 1-0 Foxes
Hoppers Blue came up against Foxes from Division 2 a side who where relegated from Division 1 last season. In a tight game that could have gone either way, Darren Nicely-Prince cooly slotted in the one and only goal of the game, Thierry Henry esc. With time running out Foxes almost nicked a draw but Ahmet Gul produced one of the saves of the tournament tipping over a top corner bound strike.
GH Blue 2-3 Welling Allstars
Hoppers Blue lost their one and only game against a side from Division 1 after they where relegated from the Senior Division last season.
Welling took the lead with an unstoppable 25 yarder. Within seconds of the re-start, Dean Morrison played a lovely ball over the top for Danny Galvin, which he took on his chest and lobbed the stranded keeper. In a mad 5 minutes Welling went 3-1 in front at the break. Hoppers re-grouped and dominated the second half. Welling's resilience was finally broken when Jordan Brown headed in to make it 3-2. Terry Martin almost nicked a draw but the Welling keeper made a fine save which won them the game.
GH Blue 2-1 Slade Green
Hoppers needed a win after their first loss against Division 5 side Slade Green. Charlie Adams made it 1-0 from 20 yards before doubling his and Hoppers tally with a terrific strike into the top corner. 2-0 up and cruising Hoppers took their foot off the gas and let Slade Green back into the game. Dean Morrison gave away a penalty which was converted, then Slade hit the bar before their centre back went on a terrific run but was denied by Billy Callaway on the line. Adrian Steele almost wrapped up the victory but couldn't finish in the tightest of angles.
GH Blue 1-0 Honor Oak
With Hoppers on 6 pts, Honor Oak on 5 pts and Foxes already through on 7 pts it came down to the final group game to determine weather Hoppers would get through or not. A draw would have been enough but with a win we could top the group. Hoppers Blue dominated from start to finish, George wasn't tested once and Hoppers looked dangerous with every attack. So it was no surprise when Darren Nicely-Prince scored the winning goal after great approach play from Jordan Brown and Charlie Adams. 1-0 was enough for Hoppers to progress to the Semi-Final and top the group.
Tony Ellis Semi-Final
GH Blue 3-0 Crofton Albion
Crofton Albion where the hosts and the highest ranked team in the tournament. They play in the Senior Division which is one from the top and where favourites going into the game.
Hoppers continued where they left off against Honor Oak with a commanding and dominating display. This was some of the best football Hoppers Blue have ever produced and took the lead through Danny Galvin with a 20 yard deflected strike. After a few of changes at half time Hoppers Blue pressed for the second. Jordan Brown hassled the Albion full back into a mistake and punished him with a brilliant strike to put Hoppers two up. Peter Lawrence then gave away a penalty but George Healey made a great save to keep the two goal lead. Charlie Adams then whipped in a quality cross from the right for Joe Carter to side foot home Hoppers third and book a place in the final.
TONY ELLIS TROPHY FINAL
Groundhoppers Blue 0-0 Elmstead Strollers (1-0 PENS)
After a long day and a lot of tiered legs Hoppers finally had their chance to bring home their first silver wear.
Hoppers started the brighter and look the more likely to score with efforts from Charlie Adams, Danny Galvin and Darren Nicely-Prince making the keeper work. Strollers almost took the lead but the post came to the rescue and then the Strollers striker miss cued his effort with the goal at his mercy. The second half was all Hoppers, Charlie Adams was brought down in the box and the ref gave a penalty. Adams stepped up himself but the keeper who was having an immense game saved it. Jordan Brown & Joe Carter where to be denied by the Strollers Keeper as well. So the game went into 5 minutes of extra time and again Hoppers where denied with efforts from Jordan Brown, Galvin and Nicely-Prince.
After extra-time the deadlock could not be broken and so we went into a sudden death penalty.
Dean Morrison had the bottle to step up but unfortunately his effort went over. Strollers needed to score to win but George Healey made another penalty save, diving to his right to keep Hoppers in it. Up stepped Kadeem Wallace and he made no mistake and sent the keeper the wrong way. Hoppers knew that a Strollers miss would win them the trophy. A nervous looking guy stepped up and Healey made a terrific save diving this time to his left to send Hoppers Blue into wild celebrations.
After a long day and about 8 hours of football and waiting around Hoppers deserved to win the whole tournament. We where the better side, played the best football, scored the most goals and conceded the least. Every single player contributed in their own way so if I was to name my player of the tournament it would be the whole team!
Well done lads, I said we could do it (if you read my column I wrote last week lol) and now I believe we have the desire, quality and players to go on and win another Cup and the League. What a cracking way to kick start our season! It all starts on Sunday against Manor Park Rangers, Division Four Champions @ Eltham Goals.
Championo, Championo, olay, olay!! Championo, Championo...........!!!!
Written by manager: Johnston Brown.
HOPPERS DRAW ANOTHER BLANK
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19/8/12 FC Elmstead 2 GroundHoppers Blue 0Chislehurst Recreation Ground
Last season's Division Three winners where next on the agenda for a resurgent GH Blue. With a few key players missing and scorching hot weather it was always going to be difficult. Hoppers played the better football and defended really well throughout. Neither side really threatened in the first half but Hoppers just shaded it. The second half was very much the same but with the weather taking it's toll on both sides the game started to open up. A long throw was headed home after 20 minutes to put Elmstead in front. Hoppers once again started to dominate possession, David Lawrence had two long distance strikes and Charlie Adams almost grabbed an equaliser but was stopped by a last ditch tackle. With that Elmstead broke and scored their second goal and effectively kill the game. On a hot day and limited chances Hoppers Blue should take the positives out of the game and not read too much into the result. Good luck to FC Elmstead Reserves in Division Two. MOM: Marley/ David Lawrence (Both played really well) Ahmet Gul, Kadeem Wallace, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Billy Callaway, Marley, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Charlie Adams, Danny Galvin, Adrian Steele, Aaron, Terry Martin. |
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12/08/12 - GroundHoppers Blue 3 Concept Borough 1
North Beckenham Goals
Groundhoppers Blue continued their impressive pre-season form with a 3-1 win over Concept Borough from the Senior Division. With three Division's separating the two sides it looked unlikely that GH Blue could grab their third victory.
Concept where the better side in the first half and rightly went in 1-0 up at the break with GH Blue riding their luck at times.
The second half was a different story and within 10 mins Adrian Steele grabbed the equaliser. The game opened up as both side's tried to win the game and it was debutant Danny Llyod-Bennet that put GH Blue in front. Llyod-Bennet then lobbed the stranded Concept keeper on 80 mins for his second and the Blue's third.
George Healy, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Sam Jacques ©, Donnie Forbes, Charlie Lawrence, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince, Dean Morrison, Danny Lloyd-Bennett
Groundhoppers Blue continued their impressive pre-season form with a 3-1 win over Concept Borough from the Senior Division. With three Division's separating the two sides it looked unlikely that GH Blue could grab their third victory.
Concept where the better side in the first half and rightly went in 1-0 up at the break with GH Blue riding their luck at times.
The second half was a different story and within 10 mins Adrian Steele grabbed the equaliser. The game opened up as both side's tried to win the game and it was debutant Danny Llyod-Bennet that put GH Blue in front. Llyod-Bennet then lobbed the stranded Concept keeper on 80 mins for his second and the Blue's third.
George Healy, Peter Lawrence, Paul Patten, Sam Jacques ©, Donnie Forbes, Charlie Lawrence, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince, Dean Morrison, Danny Lloyd-Bennett
05/08/12 - GroundHoppers(Met Div 1) 1 GroundHoppers Blue 2
Sydenham Sports
Although it was only a friendly neither side wanted to loose this game.
GH Blue started quicker and forced Hoppers into making mistakes at the back creating a few half chances. After 15 minutes Adrian Steele was brought down after muscling out the Hoppers defender. Sam Jacques stepped up placed his pen in the bottom corner to give the keeper no chance.
After an even first half the second was not much different. Hoppers dominated the ball more for the first part of the half but never really created much but managed to grab an equaliser through Martin Parker.
With 20 minutes to go GH Blue started to dominate and created a couple of good chances. Charlie Adams pressured the defender into a mistake and slid a ball through to Aaron. After a lucky bounce Aaron found himself one on one and cooled finished to make it 2-1. GH Blue had another two good opportunities before the end but where unable to capitalise.
An even game but GH Blue probably just deserved to sneak it.
MOM: Samuel Jacques
George Healy, Dean Morrison, Peter Lawrence, Samuel Jacques ©, Billy Callaway, Donnie Forbes, Charlie Adams, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince, Aaron, Danny Galvin
Although it was only a friendly neither side wanted to loose this game.
GH Blue started quicker and forced Hoppers into making mistakes at the back creating a few half chances. After 15 minutes Adrian Steele was brought down after muscling out the Hoppers defender. Sam Jacques stepped up placed his pen in the bottom corner to give the keeper no chance.
After an even first half the second was not much different. Hoppers dominated the ball more for the first part of the half but never really created much but managed to grab an equaliser through Martin Parker.
With 20 minutes to go GH Blue started to dominate and created a couple of good chances. Charlie Adams pressured the defender into a mistake and slid a ball through to Aaron. After a lucky bounce Aaron found himself one on one and cooled finished to make it 2-1. GH Blue had another two good opportunities before the end but where unable to capitalise.
An even game but GH Blue probably just deserved to sneak it.
MOM: Samuel Jacques
George Healy, Dean Morrison, Peter Lawrence, Samuel Jacques ©, Billy Callaway, Donnie Forbes, Charlie Adams, Johnston Brown, David Lawrence, Kadeem Wallace, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince, Aaron, Danny Galvin
29/07/12 - Honar Oak 3 GroundHoppers Blue 4
Mottingham Playing Fields
Groundhoppers Blue kicked off their pre-season with a win over Met Division 4 side Honor Ok.
Honor Oak took the lead when their centre back headed in a long throw. Charlie Adams almost grabbed an equaliser before the break but his header hit the post after a neat build up.
Hoppers started the second half sloppy and gave Honor Oak a two goal lead after only five minutes. It seemed to give kick Hoppers into life and 10 minutes later Charlie Adams lobbed the keeper. On 70 minutes Darren Nicely-Prince slid home the equaliser to make it an interesting last 20. Adams then scored a deflected goal to grab his second and Hoppers third to complete the comeback. With 5 minutes remaining Honor Oak equalised after George Healy's throw drop short and fell to the
Honor Oak striker who made no mistake from just inside the area. Still the game was not done and with almost the last kick of the game Kadeem Wallace stabbed home the winner.
MOM: David Lawrence
Ahmet Gul, George Healy, Dean Morrison, Daniel Downes, Peter Lawrence, Samuel Jacques ©, Billy Callaway, Kevin Rose, Terry Martin, Kadeem Wallace, David Lawrence, Johnston Brown, Charlie Adams, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince
Groundhoppers Blue kicked off their pre-season with a win over Met Division 4 side Honor Ok.
Honor Oak took the lead when their centre back headed in a long throw. Charlie Adams almost grabbed an equaliser before the break but his header hit the post after a neat build up.
Hoppers started the second half sloppy and gave Honor Oak a two goal lead after only five minutes. It seemed to give kick Hoppers into life and 10 minutes later Charlie Adams lobbed the keeper. On 70 minutes Darren Nicely-Prince slid home the equaliser to make it an interesting last 20. Adams then scored a deflected goal to grab his second and Hoppers third to complete the comeback. With 5 minutes remaining Honor Oak equalised after George Healy's throw drop short and fell to the
Honor Oak striker who made no mistake from just inside the area. Still the game was not done and with almost the last kick of the game Kadeem Wallace stabbed home the winner.
MOM: David Lawrence
Ahmet Gul, George Healy, Dean Morrison, Daniel Downes, Peter Lawrence, Samuel Jacques ©, Billy Callaway, Kevin Rose, Terry Martin, Kadeem Wallace, David Lawrence, Johnston Brown, Charlie Adams, Adrian Steele, Darren Nicely-Prince