Hype Train FC will be playing across both Saturday and Sunday next season, with the team competing in the East Berkshire Football League and the Reading & District Sunday League. You can follow all of the team's season coverage right here as we provide match reports and photo galleries from our third season as a club! All aboard.
Match Report: Goring United FC vs. Hype Train FC
Date: Sunday 31st July 2022
Competition: Pre-Season Friendly (10:30am KO)
Opposition: Goring United FC
Location: Sheepcot Recreation Ground, Goring, RG8 0EN
Final Score: Goring United FC 4-2 Hype Train FC
Photographer: Sam Austin (@HypeTrainSam)
Request Photos: contact@thehypetrain.co.uk
Match Report:
The train's encounter against Goring United was the team's fourth match in pre-season ahead of the 2022/23 season, with the team taking on the RDSL Division One outfit on an arid, dry pitch. This was the first time the team had taken on any Goring team, who play their trade in the Thames Valley Premier League on Saturday's.
The game opened with several probing attacks by Goring, as they peppered the goal with a few shots from range to test Jake Holloway, though a few dragged shots were put wide. For the team in white, we built up well with Leon Mannion pushing the Goring defenders back with a few burning runs that led to the Goring keeper making several early saves.
The first goal arrived in the 28th minute moments after Graham High's shot was saved by the opposing shot-stopper. A long kick forward to their right winger saw Robert Austin who won the initial header, with Liam Bowbrick winning the ball back allowing Austin to keep the ball in on the left, playing Graham High to his feet. This starts off a quick passing sequence between all three midfielders - Alex Ward, Owen and Liam Bowbrick - which freed Yazeed Alanazi on the ring wing. Alanazi's initial low cross was cleared away by the legs of Goring's keeper, but only out to Joe Sawyer at right back who ed Alanazi again. This time, Alanazi took a couple of touches and delivered a deep cross which allowed Mannion to power home a header at the back post.
With half an hour player, the team unfortunately lost both Sam Bolwell and Rob Walsh to injuries, leaving the team with 10 players, and it didn't take long for Goring to get back into the game as a result. First in the 39th minute, their quick Number 7 was played through on goal and slotted between the legs of Holloway to draw level, before their Number 7 cut back for a teammate just minutes later to sweep home a second goal in quick succession, leaving the team to chase the game in the second-half.
The team spent the first 20 minutes of the second-half on the counter as we soaked up pressure being a man down, though Goring were able to add a thirl goal in the 69th minute when one of their midfielders dribbled with the ball until the edge of the box and got off a shot that took a big bobble in the ground, with the shot going over our keeper.
There was a way back into the game and it arrived in the 77th minute when great work by Mannion down the left wing saw the Number 9 take the ball into the penalty area, cutting the ball back Goring's Number 17 connected with the ball which saw the ball rattle into the top-left of the goal - an extraordinary own goal to see the game go to 3-2.
The final goal occurred in the 82nd minute when Ward misjudged a through ball by Goring, allowing their Number 7 time and space to drive into the penalty area, drilling a finish into the net and securing the hosts the win in pre-season.
The result means we have started pre-season with 7-6, 5-4, 4-2, and 3-1 scorelines, creating an action packed start to our off-season schedule heading into our 4th season as a club.
Thoughts from Club Secretary, Robert Austin:
"Sunday's latest game was nothing short of a rollercoaster for the team. We had to go through the process of having a few logistical issues with the team which hurt preparations, leaving us with a bare bons squad for kick-off, and suffered through the game without a linesman. We then had two unfortunate injuries that left us playing half the game with 10-men.
When we had a full team out there, we were growing into the game as the first-half progressed, and we were worth our value when Leon headed the team ahead. What caused Goring to turn the game around was the aforementioned injuries that scrambled the team's plans, and we never really covered from that, especially in the second-half when we were tiring and had a few heavy legs on show.
What we can take away was the stages of play when we got on the ball and moved in quickly. Our first goal was a highpoint for us, working the ball across the pass, working the wings well, leading to the header. Shoe on the other foot, Goring also grew in confidence and had a couple of very capable wingers that caused danger, as well as having a solid goalkeeper and midfield that played a solid game.
I'd just like to thank Goring for the opportunity to play on late notice, and for the hospitality at their ground. They're a top club and we wish them nothing but the best for the season ahead!"
Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad
Manager: Robert Austin
Starting 11:
GK: Jake Holloway
DEF: Joe Sawyer
DEF: Rob Walsh
DEF: Josh Watkins
DEF: Robert Austin
MID: Liam Bowbrick
MID: Alex Ward
MID: Owen Bowbrick
MID: Sam Bolwell
MID: Graham High
FOR: Leon Mannion
Substitutes:
SUB: Vijay Gurung
SUB: Yazeed Alanazi
Goals & Assists:
Goal 1: Mannion (goal), Alanazi (assist)
Goal 2: Own Goal (goal), Mannion (assist)
Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in general football and 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. We won both Goal of the Season Awards in the Berkshire and County FA regions, with Callum Parr-Jones winning the Berks & Bucks FA award, whilst Martin King won the PlaySport UK award.
In 2021, we formed the Reading Sunday Social League (RSSL), a competitive Sunday League involving 8 teams in its debut season. During the 2021/22 season, we won our first-ever trophy, lifting the East Berkshire Football League's Presidents Cup!
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, visit our club's dedicate website, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk
Believe The Hype!
