Firstly welcome to JJ playing his first game for Hayden

On what turned out to be an excellent playing surface, with the conditions holding out for the game, and having found the Referee in Crayford, a good flowing game of football ensued.

With very little between the two teams in the first half, Hayden played some of the best football we had seen for the last few games, although with Blackheath having a fast and strong defence there were very few goal scoring chances created. From the back Sam made a couple of fine saves, and Billy L kept Blackheath’s speedy winger under wraps. Robert also started to hold the ball up bringing in the midfield more as asked.
Blackheath did manage to go in 1-0 up at half time, as Hayden failed to clear the ball from the back with Blackheath pouncing on the mistake.

The second half followed the same story as the first half, with both teams playing some good football, although Hayden failed to really trouble the Blackheath keeper. As the game opened up, Blackheath scored another 2 goals, although to their credit the boys heads did not go down and carried on pursuing the game.

Back to the League next Sunday, currently in 5th place with 3 other teams on 12 points, time to climb back up that table.

GOALSCORERS – Elmas 2, Robert 2

With a few subs this week, things were looking good to start with, although it took the boys 20 minutes to actually start playing football, and not chasing the ball and players around, although by this time Sutcliffe were already 1 goal up. Hayden’s best moves were coming down the right hand side with Billy L using the space well, playing the ball backwards or into the Midfield to create space and then make runs into the Sutcliffe half.
Elmas managed to pulled a goal back, and should have had another, but was disallowed for him being too quick (sorry fouling according to the Sutcliffe linesman!), but half time came and Hayden were trailing 2-1.

The second half started and a long shot from Elmas seemed to hang in the air forever before dropping into the goal to everyone’s amusement. 2-2, although not for long as Sutcliffe took the lead again, but Hayden were playing more and more football, with Sutcliffe resorting to the long ball, and strong arm tactics.
Robert then scored a brace, much to the relief of all on the line, and put Hayden back on the winning way.

Congratulations to the boys for fighting back again and again, and persevering with playing football and trying to work the ball from the back.

Next Sunday see’s Hayden play Welling Youth who are a place below them in the League, a six pointer as some may say!!!


Ges

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Rain, rain rain!!!!

With the bare 11 players it was always going to be a tough game against the best team Hayden had played so far. The first half saw the boys hold Danson, with Sam pulling off some excellent saves, and Ricky also having an excellent first half being asked to fill in at left back. But as the first half progressed, Jack picked up a hamstring injury and Daniel also struggling Danson went into half time 2 goals up.

The second half brought more rain and also saw Jack finally having to come off after bravely struggling on for as long as possible. With only 10 men on the pitch Danson pilled on the pressure playing an intelligent expansive game, stretching Hayden across the pitch as the goals starting to pile up.

Both players and spectators were glad when the final whistle went, a game to put behind us, and a reminder that we need to build up the team numbers to be able to compete throughout the season.

Ges

This week we came up against one of the stronger sides in the division who like us have had a good start to the season, and with Calum still out injured and Joe T on holiday we had to mix the side up again, with Daniel slotting in at center back.
Having asked the boys to relax and play football, supply loads of crosses and to shut down early I could not of been prouder as we produced the best football I have seen in a long while with the ball being played at speed, accurate passes and pin point crosses from Joe S creating havoc in our opponents penalty area. Within ten minutes we had hit the net three times , with Liam netting twice and Ricky slotting one in between and also crashing another one against the crossbar, confidence was sky high with Hayden breezing towards another 3 points. Daniel was having an outstanding match , whilst Leo was turning in a magic performance at left back, Ricky and Billy L tormenting the fullbacks, the whole team looking solid.
With ten minutes to half time Eltham nicked a goal back and it seemed to drain our new found confidence as we went back to our old ways , hesitant on the ball not willing to shut down early and panicking when we had time on the ball.
The second half was the complete reverse of the first as Eltham took the game to us and totally took control scoring four quick goals  leaving us with a mountain to climb. The boys responded well and with Cogs refusing to give up the ghost,he pushed the team forward but we just couldn't get the goal back our play deserved , eventually leaving gaps to be exploited by our opponents leaving the boys a bit battered on the receiving end of an 8-3 drubbing.
Despite the score line I was pleased with large parts of the game and hopefully we can put this game behind us and move on to next weeks match having learnt from this game.
Trev

Hayden progressed to the next round of the Cup with a good result, although the performance matching those of previous weeks, good in patches but lessons learnt in training not always being taken into the game. But another win and still top of the League, things could be a lot worse!!
 
With the game taking on a very similar format to previous one’s I will take a different tact on the match report, instead of just trying to regurgitate previous reports.
 
Goal Keeper
 
Sam had his best game of the season, his handling was spot on, distribution to the full backs a lot quicker, as we asked for, and he made a couple of fine saves. He came off his line well  and made an option for the back pass when required.
 
Defence
 
The defence needs to work as a unit, ensuring that players are closed down and marked quickly and allowing Billy to drop back as required.
When Sam has the ball looking to be the first option, and then distributing the ball quickly using the midfield when possible. Get the ball on the floor, to allow us to start playing football, and most of all not panicking, by communicating and supporting each other.
 
Our best goals of the season have been when the ball has been played from the back, through the midfield not giving the opposition a chance.
 
Midfield
 
The midfield must ensure they work as a unit, they keep their shape and positions, and do not end up side by side with the defence. When the defence have the ball the midfield need to make themselves available to receive the ball, creating angles etc and moving the ball around quickly to feet where possible, not being afraid to play the ball backwards if that is the best option. Fancy flicks and tricks should not be done in or around the Hayden area when we are defending but in the last third as we attack.
As Hayden attack, the midfield should support the forwards so we can move forward in numbers (this was something Crayford did well on Sunday) to increase our scoring options.
When the opposition have the ball the midfield need to pressure them as a unit, and not sit back and allow them to play the ball around.
The midfield are required to attack, defend and link up play, to do this they need to communicate with each other, the Defence and Forwards.
 
Forwards
 
The forwards are our first line of defence!
When the opposition defence have the ball the forwards need to close down and hassle and not give them any time on the ball.
As we attack the forwards need to play as a unit, not being afraid to cross over, make it hard to be marked, hold the ball up if required, play the ball backwards if need be, make options for the Midfield, and communicate with each other
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With Calum out with torn ankle ligaments, Leo injured and Elmas getting injured in the warm up, this left Hayden with only 12 fit players, on a blustery autumn morning.
 
Hayden again started poorly, and with the ball spending more time in the air than on the ground, a very scrappy game ensued. Rivercray eventually took the lead after a lack of communication in the defence, and the shouts from their supporters showed how much it meant to them. After what can be only said to be one of the worst 25 mins the team have played this season, they turned it around in the final 10 minutes when Ricky scored a screamer, and then hit the woodwork, closely followed by Robert hitting the bar as well it was left to Liam to give Hayden the lead at half time.
 
With the wind behind them Hayden started to take control in the second half, although it was not so much through playing football, but from some stunning individual goals from Joe T and Billy L that turned the game into an eventual comfortable win, and if it had not been for some fine saves from the River Cray could have been more.
 
The boys do need to take what they are doing in training into a game, putting passes together, feeling comfortable on the ball, communicating and playing more as a team to really show theirs and the teams full potential.
 
But the win does put Hayden top of the League and with a Cup Game next week against Crayford Arrows, who beat Hayden Yellow last week, everything to play for.
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GOALSCORERS – Elmas 2, Ricky
 
Firstly we would like to welcome Joe to Hayden
 
On a glorious sunny morning Hayden were looking for their fifth straight win, and with Welling having just come up from the C League the boys were maybe lulled into thinking that this would be an easy win!
 
The first half started with Hayden taking control, with Liam, Elmas and Ricky all worrying the Welling defence, although few clear cut chances were created, partly due to some liberal interpretations of the Offside Rule by the Linesman. But with the speed Hayden were attacking with, the boys should have been able to start their runs slightly deeper to beat the offside. With Ricky being ruled offside once, he did eventually score to give Hayden the lead.
 
When Hayden did play the ball from the back, and especially down the left with Ricky, Leo and Jack starting to create some triangles the Welling boys were given the run around, and started to get frustrated although it seemed to be in the last half were the ball was either over played, or one to many players were taken on and few clear cut chances were created. Elmas did score two before half time though the pick being when Calum timed his interception and subsequent through ball to perfection with Elmas coolly putting the ball past the keeper. Welling pulled one back before half time with a sweet turn and strike from the edge of the box, although the lack of any challenge helped!
 
The second half came and Hayden maybe thinking the game was won, switched off and as Welling started to knock long balls through, Hayden started to do the same, with the ball seeming to spend most of the time in the air. When the ball was pushed through to the last third, again too many touches, or players were taken on which resulted in very few shots being taken. As in previous matches there seemed to be a disconnection between the defence and midfield as the game progresses and holes started to appear allowing Welling to score their second, although this did seem to galvanise the boys who did see the rest of the game out quite comfortably.
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GOALSCORERS – Ricky, Liam, Robert, Elmas, Billy L
 
With Cogs out injured, the shape of the team changed slightly with Billy L playing just behind the front two, giving the team a more attacking formation, and within the first 2 minutes this worked as Hayden took the lead as Ricky doing exactly as asked, after the ball had been worked through and using his pace to put the ball past the keeper as he came off his line. Although things slowed down a bit after that the boys did control the game, keeping their shape better than the previous week, and not allowing our Our Lady to play the ball, as Hayden applied more pressure higher up the field. With Jordon and Ricky combing well, it was particularly pleasing to see Sam distributing the ball more to the full backs, which resulted in us scoring a goal from a well worked move down the left. With Our Lady not posing too many threats apart from the long ball, it was this that allowed them to claw a goal back after a mix up between Billy and Joe from their keepers kick, with Our Lady picking up the ball to slide it pass Sam. Again the boys need to remember what they are being asked to do, regarding talking, positioning and HEADing the ball before it bounces!!!!! The boys did not panic though, and through more good work down the left flank, Robert converted well from a whipped in cross for his first of the season.
 
The second half, though saw Our Lady pose even less of a threat, but also saw Hayden stop playing the ball around, and gaps started to appear between the defence and midfield, although Daniel (the rock) was soon battering Our Lady as things got more physical. Elmas then managed to jink his way through before being upended resulting in a penalty which he calmly put away. This was followed by Liam doing the exact same thing, although no penalty was given, much to everyone’s bemusement. The game was finally finished off with a well taken and thoroughly deserved goal by Billy L, to see Hayden finish comfortably.
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Whilst I try not to use any football clichés, this definitely was a game of two halves.
 
After the best of starts, Liam using his pace to score the first League goal of the season, the boys seemed to forget all they had been told about keeping their shape, marking up, and pressuring the opposition. Although a number of chances were created the ball was given away far too easily, allowing Darenth to push on and take a 2-1 lead going into half time, with only an excellent full length save from Sam stopping the deficit being greater.
 
Half time came, and the boys were reminded of what was required of them, and with a couple of changes camped in Darenth’s half and started to apply the pressure, Daniel and Jack starting to take more control of the middle and the defence comfortably dealing with anything coming through, and starting to play the ball out under control. After a number of near misses it felt as if Hayden would never equalize, until Liam scored his second to level the score. Further changes to the team, were quickly followed by goals from Ricky and then Liam getting his 3rd of the game. With sighs of relief from the touchline, divine intervention seemed to take place, as the Hayden team parted like the Red Sea and a Darenth player strolled through to make the score 3-4 with 1 minute remaining. The boys played out the final minute to take a deserved win and 3 points.
 
Congratulations to Liam for his hat trick (commiserations to George, not sure what the going rate for a hat trick is now a-days

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Hayden Yellow starts the season with an authoritative victory.
A fine opening spell saw the home team take the lead through a Tommie Bristow effort. Brave work from Joe Riley saw him head the ball onto Tommie who made no mistake from close range. Dan Farmer had little to do in the Hayden goal in the first 20 minutes as the home side dominated.
Alex Ingram followed up with a fine strike to make it two before Tommy Bristow scored his second, with a blistering strike from 20 yards which has already gone down as a goal of the season contender.
Hayden’s midfield of Ryan Daly, Sam Paterson, Louis Ward and Thomas Abibu controlled the mid field battles which saw the home side finish the half in control with a 3 goal lead.
The second half saw the away side come into the game more, but after nearly conceding, Hayden produced their best move of the game, taking the ball from their own penalty area and after crisp passing between Adam Whitewood, Thomas Abibu, Ronnie Anderson and Louis Ward saw Louis open his account for the season and increase the lead to 4.
Parkwood spoiled the home sides chances of a clean sheet as fine work from their forward line saw the ball chipped neatly over Dan Farmer to make it 4 – 1.
The home sides defence of Alex Ingram, Dan Stockley, Adam Whitewood and debutant right back Ronnie Anderson continued to defend well and fine work from them and substitute appearances from Callum Eden and Jake Whitewood, saw the home side finish the game as 4 -1 victors
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Hayden maintain their top of the table position with a fine win away against Danson Boys.

With only 11 players available, Hayden players proved their fitness in a hard fought game against previously un beaten Danson.

Tommie Bristow opened the scoring with an impressive piece of control and a super volley into the top left hand corner.

George Lings capped a good all round performance with an incredible lob from 30 yards to put Haden 2 up within the first 25 minutes.

Hayden who have lead 3-0 by half time in all their previous league matches maintained this impressive statistic with a fine run and finish from lone striker Joe Riley.

Man of the match Thomas Abibu epitomised the effort shown by the team as they battled for every ball in the second half.

With Callum Eden and Jake Whitewood playing holding roles in midfield, Danson found it difficult to make space in the middle of the park.

The only blot on a fine performance allowed Danson to spoil the clean sheet of Dan Farmer who had another outstanding game in the Hayden goal.

Haydens Defence, of Adam Whitewood, Alex Ingram, Tommie Bristow and Ronnie Anderson who had played brilliantly all game had a momentary lapse of concentration which allowed a big kick down field to find its way to a Danson striker, who when through on goal made no mistake in slotting the ball past stranded keeper Dan Farmer to make it 3-1

Louis Ward nearly added a fourth but saw his header go inches wide before the referee blew the final whistle in this hard fought encounter.

 

 

 

 

 

Hayden vs. Fleetdown Match Report
Hayden climb to the top of the table with an impressive 7-0 victory against Fleetdown. 
The match begins with a devastating run and goal from Louis Ward, his dash down the right wing ends with the keeper’s face in shock as the ball whistles past him into the back of the net.
Louis showed that the first goal was no fluke as he scored his second goal of the game with a screamer from 20 yards.
Hayden continued to drive forward and their work all over the pitch was rewarded with a 3rd goal from Tommie Bristow before half time.
The second half saw Hayden continue to dominate with Fleetdown rarely troubling Dan Farmer in the Hayden goal. Tommie Bristow finished a fine move and cross from Louis Ward for 4 before George Ling, playing against his old team punished the home side with a great goal to make it 5.
Hayden’s inspirational captain, Tommie Bristow, completed his hat trick before Sam Patterson ended the scoring with a fine solo dribble and finish to make it 7.
The Hayden midfield ran their socks off to ensure a clean sheet with special praise going to Thomas Abibu and Ryan Daly who covered every inch of the pitch.
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