After a four-and-a-half month wait for football due to the current pandemic, Hype Train FC returned to the field and began their 2020/21 pre-season campaign by visiting EBFL Division 1 outfit, Townmead FC. Read the match report from our return to the field as we make the visit to West Drayton. All aboard.
Match Report: Townmead vs. Hype Train FC:
Date: 1st August 2020
Competition: Pre-Season Friendly
Opposition: Townmead FC
Location: The Meadows Community Centre, West Drayton, UB7 7EX
Final Score: Townmead 3-0 Hype Train FC
Photographer: Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam)
Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk
Match Report:
Returning to action for the first time in a long, long time we made the trip to West Drayton to take on a Townmead side that finished above us on a points-per-game average in EBFL Division last season.
The first-half of the game was largely scrappy and a lot of time was wasted whilst the referee had to pump the balls provided by the hosts, with both sides trying to find their feet and footing on a hot, arid pitch, though we found Sam Paddon a casualty of the occasion when our central striker fell horribly on his right-knee and had to watch from the side-lines from the rest of the game after his knee popped. It was an afternoon in the hospital for Paddon, with the club wishing him the best in what is hopefully a short recovery.
After Paddon's injury, both teams probed with intent with Callum Fox-Spence, who was lively throughout the first-half down the right-wing, coming closest for us when he bet and turned away from Townmead's left-back before lashing a shot just wide of the right-hand post.
Townmead's best opportunity, and a bit let off for our boys in green came a few minutes shy of half-time, with goalkeeper Jack Roche jumping with their number 11. The ball fell and bounced invitingly for their midfielder, with the shot from close range with a virtually unguarded goal, spooned wide.
Our best chance of the game fell to a lively Sammy Seville, with the winger shooting well from range after Phil Newport guarded the ball away from a couple of opposing defenders, before Seville's shot went narrowly wide. Moments later Newport lashed a left-footed cross towards Chris Marshall at the back-post, though a Townmead central defender was able to take enough of the ball away from Marshall, diverting the ball away for a corner-kick.
The hosts eventually took the lead around the 65th minute when a floated free-kick into the penalty area was nodded towards Roche in goal, with the shot-stopper making a good one-handed save, though their long-haired centre-back was at hand to stab home the rebound from close range (image below).
With tired legs on show to close the game, Townmead doubled the lead when a ball over the top fell inviting for an attacked to stab into the bottom corner with a neat first touch, before Robert Austin and Seville collided at the edge of the box, allowing their number 9 to smash home a brilliant effort into the far-left top corner, capitalising on our defensive lapse of communication, to finish the game as a contest as the game drew to a close.
Thoughts from General Secretary, Robert Austin:
"Firstly, my thoughts are with Sam Paddon right now, with Sam unfortunately landing awkwardly on his right-knee - fingers crossed there is a speedy recovery and your upcoming MRI gives you the all clear. The last thing I wanted to do this afternoon was carry one of our core players and a good friend through the emergency doors at the hospital! The entire team is behind you and you will be back on your feet in no time.
As for the game itself, there were some major cobwebs this afternoon and we never really found our groove against a good Townmead side. It was 0-0 until the 65th minute and tired legs caught up with us a lot in the closing stages of game, so all credit for the hosts to take advantage of this. With Paddon off the pitch, we were limited two a couple of rotating subs and we were fitting some square pegs in round holes to get across to the end of the game.
We had a couple of good spells in the game when we were on top, though our passing momentum was shaky and it was a rusty occasion for us with a few frustrated players in the heat - I just want to let everyone in my team know that we've only had a few sessions back together, it is still early doors, and if we work and graft together to get up to speed we'll be flying in no time.
Thank you for Townmead for hosting the game too, pitch availability due to COVID-19 has been a nightmare for most grassroots teams, ourselves included, and I know they went out of their way to get the fixture played, so Chris Ward and his boys should be applauded on their efforts and on a good win. See you down the road next season."
Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad
Starting 11:
GK: Jack Roche
DEF: Rod Stevens (C)
DEF: Joe Sawyer
DEF: Robert Austin
DEF: Jamie Carter (Watkins '60)
MID: Callum Fox-Spence
MID: Scott Terry (Newport 45')
MID: Josh Cox
MID: Chris Marshall (Terry 68')
MID: Jon Watkins (Seville 45')
FOR: Sam Paddon (Lukeman 5')
Substitutes:
SUB: Liam Lukeman
SUB: Phil Newport
SUB: Sammy Seville
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.
