Horncastle show hunger for new season
Horncastle Town FC Comment
by Lloyd Harmston
THE visit to The Wong of a Lincolnshire Fire Brigade side for the annual Charity Challenge Trophy took place on Saturday.
But the visitors were struggling somewhat to field their usual strong side and to make matters worse they lost their goalkeeper with a nasty elbow injury.
The result, for the record, was a resounding 8-1 win for Paul Johnson’s side.
Town included new boys Ben Wadd, an RAF serviceman, and front runner Luke Pickford, formerly with Mablethorpe.
Wadd played in midfield although he covered every other blade of grass, virtually dictating the first half, showing a superb hunger for the ball and amazing fitness.
Pickford began quietly, but once he scored early in the second half his confidence rose and he displayed some neat work on the ball and looked much more promising in front of goal.
There were a number of other good performances, notably from Michael Harness and skipper Chris Johnson while Ollie Johnson and Steve Brown were steady as always.
Town had a ‘guest’ appearance in goal with the re-emergence of Andrew Cotton, taking up the position he graced for so many years until that bad shoulder injury of a year or so ago. Late in the game he went full stretch to save a penalty.
Town led by two goals at the break, scored by Carl Smith after good work by Keiron Hotchin and then by Michael Harness with a shot in off the upright.
Smith worked hard and displayed an appetite to go for goal at every opportunity.
Wadd came close with a flick header from a Chris Johnson free-kick, but after just eight minutes of second half play Pickford bagged number three.
Smith and Pickford combined for Hotchin to stroke in the fourth, although by now visiting keeper Steve Holman had been forced off with his elbow injury.
Meanwhile, young Callum Low was on at right-back to give a steady performance. Good work by Pickford led to another Harness goal then a long run on the left by the returning Andrew Shinn brought him goal number six.
Consolation for the visitors came with a superb free-kick by Chris Baker, although Town went on to add two more goals.
Callum Low found Carl Smith, whose good work set up Harness for his hat-trick and finally Ollie Johnson scored with a long, low shot.
Town were due to visit Spilsby Town on Tuesday of this week and on Saturday there is a visit by Harrowby United.
Formerly known as Beehive FC and holders of the County Cup, Harrowby are likely to provide a stern test for Paul Johnson’s men.
Friday August 10 brings the John Rawdon Memorial Trophy match against a Boston United XI and on Tuesday 14 the squad goes to RAF Coningsby.
The reserves have a home game against Sleaford Reserves on Saturday August 11 and a home game against Skegness Town Reserves on Wednesday 15, kick-off 7pm.
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Weather for Horncastle
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
