BBFA David Grainge Trophy Match Report (18/10/2025): Hanney FC vs. Hype Train FC

Welcome aboard the home of Hype Train Football Club. Here, you can read the match reports from the Train's outings across Saturday League action throughout the 2025/26 season, with the team competing in the Thames Valley Premier League (TVPL). All aboard.

Match Report: Hype Train FC

Date: Saturday 18th October 2025

Competition: Berks & Bucks FA David Grainge Trophy

Opposition: Hanney FC

Location: East Hanney Recreation Ground, Wantage, OX12, 0JL

Final Score: Hanney FC 3-2 Hype Train FC

Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk

Match Report:

The Train's encounter against Hanney FC was our 8th competitive fixture of the 2025/26 season, with the team competing in Thames Valley Premier League (TVPL) Division One. This was our first encounter with Hanney, who play in the Oxfordshire Senior League's Division 2, and our first visit to the Oxfordshire region since a County Cup tie against Grover Rangers during our maiden 2019/20 season.

A slow start for The Train in blue cost us, as a cut back from their Number 9 when on the right wing byline was turned home when a midfielder beat Callum Gibbons in goal to the ball during the 6th minute. Hanney's lead was doubled in the 24th minute after a loose set-piece saw the team countered, with a half volley skimming across goal and into the net, before the 30th minute saw the lead trebled after Hanney beat the offside trap when a midfielder powered through, before playing the ball forward to a man in an offside position (though we didn't flag) to fire home when one-on-one.

A host of changes saw the momentum change for The Train, with several close calls for Sam Rodriguez and Leon Mannion before we reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute. A Gibbons kick long saw Connor Anderson collect well, before setting the ball to Ashley Rockall, who ran at the Hanney defensive line and forced a good save from the opposition goalkeeper (who was Man of the Match on the day), before Rodriguez controlled the clearance and assisted Leon Mannion, who finished comfortably from six-yards-out - though we had to have the referee overturn the hosts' attempt to rule the rule out for offside, when Mannion was clearly onside.

A quickfire double of goals during the 77th minute saw life in the game, with Rodriguez again the provider. After James Carter intercepted a through ball, this set a rapid counter for the team as Rodriguez eventually glided past several Hanney defensive players before threading an inch-perfect through ball to Daniel Plummer, who set well before firing his shot well into the top corner of the goal.

With the game now in the balance, Mannion had an opportunity to equalise, though from close range the Hanney goalkeeper made a tremendous save to tip a low shot onto the bar in the 83rd minute, before Rockall and Rodriguez went close before full-time, with the team bowing out of the County Cup.

Next up, The Train are in more cup action on Saturday 1st November 2025, travelling to Maidenhead Town FC, in the first round of the Thames Valley Premier League's BTC Senior Cup, at Burnham FC's 1878 Stadium.

Thoughts from Club Secretary, Robert Austin:

"Once in a while a game can be poor, and today for us was one of them days. We didn't click quickly enough and found ourselves fighting an uphill battle by going 3-0 down after a series of sloppy goals conceded. We did have chances, but on the whole we were second best in the first-half, which meant that when we finally improved vastly in the second-half, we gave ourselves too much to do to draw level.

Credit to the substitutes on the day, they came on with purpose and when we changed shape we looked a lot more threatening, and did score a couple of well worked goals. We were our own worst enemies though in the early periods of the game, and have rightfully left frustrated in our first cup game of the season. We'll look to build back stronger and go again in a few weeks with more positivity.

Congratulations to Hanney, and best of luck in the next round of the competition!"

Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad

Manager: Robert Austin

Starting 11:

GK: Callum Gibbons

DEF: Mark Bush (Mmanga 46')

DEF: Chris Marshall (Gharabli 46')

DEF: Ashley Rockall

DEF: James Carter (Bush 78')

MID: Daniel Plummer

MID: Lucas Coe (Anyiam-Osigwe 64')

MID: Aiden Iqbal (Follington 87')

MID: Connor Anderson

MID: Conall Gorman (Rodriguez 46')

FOR: Luke Follington (Mannion 46')

Substitutes:

SUB: Alex Anyiam-Osigwe

SUB: Leon Mannion

SUB: Anwar Mmanga

SUB: Sam Rodriguez

SUB: Nadim Gharabli

Goals & Assists:

Goal 1: Mannion (goal), Rodriguez (assist)

Goal 2: Plummer (goal), Rodriguez (assist)

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