Hype Train FC played our fifth competitive game of the 2020/21 season as we hosted a Phoenix Old Boys outfit at Calcot Recreation Ground in the first round of the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup. Read the match report from our wet and windy encounter on home soil. All aboard.
Match Report: Hype Train FC vs. Phoenix Old Boys:
Date: 31st October 2020
Competition: Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup (Round One)
Opposition: Phoenix Old Boys FC (EBFL Division 2 side)
Location: Calcot Recreation Ground, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 4XD
Final Score: Hype Train FC 1-3 Phoenix Old Boys
Photographer: Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam)
Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk
Match Report:
Our 21st competitive match as a club was our 12th cup match as we welcomed EBFL Division Two side, Phoenix Old Boys, to Calcot Recreation Ground in the first round of the Maidenhead & Norfolkian Cup.
Playing in our change green kit, we started the stronger of the sides and squandered a host of early chances to put POB to the sword. Phil Newport scuffed a cross from six-yards out as players filled the box, before another Newport cross reached Sam Bolwell with our Player of the Month unable to get proper contact as the ball bobbled over his foot from a few yards out.
Jon Watkins raced through on goal and dragged his shot wide, before Newport bypassed Phoenix's central defenders but shot over. We threatened from set-pieces in the opening periods, with the travelling side clearing well on several occasions until a Stevens corner in the 28th minute picked out Martin King at the back-post, with King heading down with the ball bouncing in to the net for his first goal of the season.
Taking our foot off the pedal, we allowed Phoenix back in to the match three minutes before half-time when their midfield collected the ball after we cleared the ball at the back, before working it to their left-flank. An attacker picker the ball up outside the area and buried a low-strike past Chris Marshall to have both teams go in level at the break.
Our best effort to restore our lead fell to Newport who raced through one-on-one, but the eventual finish went wide of the mark. We were made to rue our missed chances as our visitors took the lead in the 67th minute after their attacker robbed the ball and snuck in, floating the ball over Marshall and in off the bar to gift the away side the lead for the first time.
With Phoenix in the ascendancy they wasted a chance to score a third when a cut-back from their right-flank was met with an effort four-yards-out from goal going high and wide. Having changed shape to chase the equaliser, Phoenix were eventually able to snatch a decisive third goal as a set-piece fell to an attacker outside the penalty area. A looping shot bounced on the underside of the bar with their right-winger making sure the effort squeezed in.
Chasing a way back in to the contest, we committed men forward and threatened from several crosses and set-pieces, though were unable to break their defensive line as we bowed out of the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup in the first round. It was a deserved win for the away side in the second-half and we wish Phoenix Old Boys the best for the rest of the season.
Man of the Match: Martin King (CB)
Earning back-to-back Man of the Match awards, Martin King once again led the team by example as he scored our team's only goal from a set-piece situation. King was once again committed in challenges and in the air as he tried to get the team across the line, in what was a disappointing afternoon for the club.
Thoughts from Player Manager, Robert Austin:
"It was an afternoon to forget for the squad as we deservingly lost to a determined Phoenix side at home. We came out of the gates quickly and could have had a few goals to celebrate, but it wasn't meant to be until Martin scored from a set-piece to finally get in the lead. From that point though, we found ourselves dropping off and allowed them back in to the contest just before half-time.
The second-half saw a few sloppy errors that led to their eventual winners and a lot of pressing as we looked to get back level, though the occasion run away from us. That's football and life sometimes, nothing is earned by merit alone. It's another learning curve for the squad in what has been a tough season so far against good calibre teams.
With a likely month break from football at least due to the continued spread of Covid-19, it gives us the chance to reset, learn to grow from this defeat and develop further as a squad as we return to action - sooner rather than later with any luck. We should also be able to welcome back a few faces from injury as well as finally being able to give chances to a few new international signings that have been awaiting clearance, so we can't wait to correct this result.
All credit to our opponents today. They were fully deserving of their victory and took their chances. It was also a well-mannered (albeit physical side in the latter stages) that worked hard and we wish them the best of luck in the rest of the competition."
Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad
Starting 11:
GK: Chris Marshall
DEF: Rod Stevens
DEF: Martin King
DEF: Marin Pendov
DEF: Robert Austin
MID: Jon Watkins (Seville 60')
MID: Sam Bolwell
MID: Colins Akemche (Sawyer 65')
MID: Callum Fox-Spence
MID: Jamie Carter (Clarke 46')
FOR: Phil Newport
Substitutes:
SUB: Sam Seville
SUB: Joe Sawyer
SUB: Dominic Clarke
Goals & Assists:
Goal 1: King (goal), Stevens (assist)
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.
