Acklam Football Club

 

Acklam FC v Hartlepool Premier

Sunday 25th February 2007

 

Due to waterlogged pitches at the Acorn Centre, this weeks TJFA Challenge Cup quarter final against Hartlepool Premier had to be played on the visitors pitch next to the power station in Hartlepool. The pitch was in perfect condition and suited both sides passing games.

Both sides were quickly into their stride from kick off. Acklam were well matched by their opponents, whose well-organised defence and offside trap caused Acklam’s forwards problems. 

Good passing saw openings created by both sides, the closest either side came to a goal was from a Jordan Wales shot that fizzed past the Hartlepool post. Acklam started putting pressure on the Hartlepool defence with their wide men Alex Hamblen and Jordan Wales working hard to find space. The first goal of the game came on 20 minutes when a great ball from Jordan Wales found Adam Lane who beat the offside trap to round the keeper to put Acklam 1-0 ahead.

Acklam forced the pace but good work from Hartlepool’s midfield prevented them from going further ahead. In the latter stages of the half Hartlepool created chances but good defensive work from Acklam prevented an equaliser. 

Half time Hartlepool 0 Acklam 1 

The early stages of the second half saw Acklam take the initiative, but again good work from the Hartlepool midfield and defence prevented another Acklam goal.  

Hartlepool upped their game and took the game to Acklam whose midfield again battled well to prevent any openings. 

Swift passing from Acklam saw the wide men find space, but Acklam didn’t take any of the chances they created. Hartlepool came back at Acklam and were rewarded on 45 minutes when Sweeting fired in a free kick from a full 30 yards that deceived the Acklam keeper Joe Parkin and put them on level terms. Hartlepool 1 Acklam 1. 

Both teams now pushed for the winner, the Hartlepool keeper well to stop another Adam Lane shot, then at the other end Joe Parkin in the Acklam goal did well to stop a shot from the Hartlepool striker. 

Strong tackling and hard work from both midfields prevented any more chances being taken before the ref blew for full time with the scores level. This being a cup match meant that the teams now had to go into extra time. 

Acklam were quickest out of the blocks from the restart, and 2 minutes into extra time swift passing saw Adam Lane race away from the Hartlepool defence, round the keeper and put Acklam 2-1 ahead. This goal gave Acklam the extra bit of confidence they needed, and an almost identical goal followed shortly after, when again Adam Lane raced away from the defence to score his and Acklam’s third goal.  

Acklam went further ahead when Josh McDermott found space in the Hartlepool  penalty area and fired past the keeper to put Acklam 4-1 ahead. A fantastic half for Acklam finished with the score Acklam 4 v Hartlepool 1. 

Hartlepool showed their spirit at the start of the second half of extra time as they pushed for a second goal and created chances, but good defending from Acklam prevented them from scoring.

Acklam then took back the initiative, when first a Jordan Wales shot hit the post, then scored their fifth and final goal of the game when a pinpoint cross by Jordan was headed into the net by Adam Lane for his fourth goal of the game.

The referee blew for time shortly after with the score, Acklam 5 v Hartlepool 1.  

This was another hard earned victory for Acklam. They eventually ran out worthy winners but were pushed all the way by an impressive Hartlepool Premier side.

Both teams played a passing game, and on a pitch in perfect condition produced a very entertaining game.

Acklam worked hard, the defence competed well against a team that has scored over 70 goals this season, the midfield as usual worked their socks off, and the strikers did the damage by scoring the goals.

Well done to Hartlepool who gave Acklam one of their toughest matches of the season, it is easy to see why they are top of their division.

Thanks also to Hartlepool for agreeing to play the match on their pitch at such short notice. 

M.O.M  Sandy Davison – Worked hard in defence, made vital interceptions and cleared his lines well.