Team: Hipple, Cousins, Kuodys, Roberts, Kingston, E.Richards, Pickering, San Emeterio, Fewtrell, Stapleton, Jessavala

Subs: Hunt

Goalscorer: Fewtrell

Saturday evening saw Hartley involved in yet another tough encounter, this time against a determined Leverstock Green.

It was pleasing to field a starting 11 containing 6 players aged 19 or under, who have shown in recent weeks that they are really coming to terms with playing Suburban League football.

There certainly seems to be a common theme in recent weeks, with the opposition starting brightly & Hartley having to soak up the pressure, with the side looking more comfortable in doing so with each game that passes. For large periods the visitors struggled to keep posession for more than a couple of passes & playing up the hill this was always going to be a case of digging in & weathering the storm.

The two banks of four proved to be solid & as with most games of late limited the opposition to long range efforts, which were either off target or well gathered by Hipple in the Hartley goal. Leverstock looked at their most dangerous from set pieces & came close on 2 or 3 occasions with powerful headers at goal, with one effort having to be cleared off the line by Roberts following a goal mouth scramble. Hartley didn't have any chances of note but the game was always going to change in the 2nd half with it being their turn to attack down the slope. HT 0-0.

From the kick off Hartley stepped up the tempo & look very confident attacking Leverstock with balls into channels being particularly dangerous, especially with the pace of Jessavala & Stapleton up front. Stapleton came closest to breaking the deadlock, following a neat passage of play Stapleton drove into the box & will be dissapointed that he didn't score when one on one with the goalie, who in fairness did well to block the shot.

Leverstock briefly threatened but Mindy Kuodys in particular defended with authority winning every header against the John Carew look-a-like.

Hartley took the lead with around 20 minutes to go. Luke Cousins took a free kick on the right side of the pitch just inside the Leverstock half. Everyone was set up for the long ball into the penalty area but with great awareness he played the ball short to right winger Luke Fewtrell who following some good worked whipped the ball into the box, across the face of goal & to everyones surprise the ball flew into the far bottom corner of the goal, leaving the goalie stranded. 1-0.

Although looking comfortable in defence throughout, the lead was nearly cut short when a long ball into the box was chased down by the Leverstock striker & following a strong, slightly mis-timed challenge a penalty was awarded. To everyones relief the resulting spot kick was blasted over the bar.

For the last 15 minutes Leverstock searched for the equaliser, coming close on numerous occasions with shots just missing the target & with a handful of excellent saves being made from Liam Hipple, who is clearly showing he is an excellent prospect for the future, Leverstock just couldn't find the break through.

Looking back at the game Hartley rode their luck at times, dug deep but in my opinion deserved the win for effort alone.

I would just like to say running the reserves has been a great joy & seeing the younger players improve week after week & visibly seeing the team spirit & togetherness grow has been excellent & rewarding. 

If the club are able to keep this bunch of youngsters & attract additional players of this age group then in the next couple of seasons the 1st team will definitely benefit. My aim was for the reserve side to become an under 19 team & we are already half way there, but this will only be worthwhile if the club & most importantly 1st team management are genuinly interested in these players. From what I have witnessed, these guys should be given a chance, they are good enough & I will guarantee they will not let you down. Technically the Suburban League is superior to CCL1, that I am certain & these players deserve a go. Will they get their chance, we'll just have to wait & see, but I won't hold my breath.

Who ever takes the reserve job on for next season, good luck to you. All I ask is to believe in youth, we can all go out & put a side together which is full of experienced players capable of picking up more wins throughout a season but that is not what the reserves is about.

Finally I would like to thank Hunty, my dad, the players, Mick Peters & Jamie Fewtrell for the effort & support that you have all given me & the players throughout the season. It is much appreciated.

Cheers

Robbo.