Another game full of goals.....

Thursday 10th August 2023 KO 6.30pm Byfield & Bethal Cup Semi Final

The lads returned to Woodford United FC for this Semi Final fixture against Oxfordshire side Cropredy First Team who compete in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division which is the same division as our First's.

It was a warm evening with temperatures at 27 degrees and the Woodford pitch as usual was in a good place creating an excellent playing surface for both sides.

Halse took a 15 man squad over to face Cropredy against Cropredy 16 man squad.

Starting line up for Halse United First: Kyran Riley, Glen Bewick, Kieran Brady, Jack Beasley, Elliot Ramsay, Riley Mortimer, Liam Simpson (c), Ben Purnell, Tom Summers, Luke Gilsenan and Ollie Read (vc).

Subs: Miles Eaton, Ryan Murphy, Harry Kinner and Rossi Salvatore.

Kick off 6.35pm

Halse started comfortable however when passing the ball around at the back Crop striker Squirrel intercepted and tried to lob Riley in goal for Halse but puts the ball out for a corner a great early chance for Crop.
Just 5 minutes into first half Mortimer crosses into the box however Crop defender clears the ball straight to Purnell midfielder from Halse and he strikes first time from outside the box with real pace and the Crop GK stands no chance stopping the opener.
Halse were getting some real success down the left finding VC Read in front 3 and on 9 minutes Read drives to the keeper byline and fizzes a cross into the box which narrowly misses the foot of Summers Halse wide forward.
The pressure continued from the black and white and on 15 following a superb build up from Halse on the edge of the Crop box again Mortimer fizzes in a ball out wide to find Gilsenan which splits the Crop defending line then Gilsenan whips the ball into Summers who slots it past the Crop GK 2-0 Halse.
On 19 Crop come back at Halse and a defensive error from CB Beasley was pounced on by Crop striker which halted the Halse lead within 4 minutes.
That said just 2 minutes later Halse go back at Crop and skipper Simpson slips a ball into Summers down the right side where Halse were getting so much space and then Summers drives into the Crop box and slots the ball to the GK right.
Halse 3-1.
Again Summers is finding space down the right Simpson floats a ball into Summers who chases it down and chips the ball just wide of the post still 3-1.
On 29 minutes Halse are forced to make a substitution following CB Beasley suffering a head injury so Murphy comes on and Beasley off. Crop players were not happy that play was stopped and were given a drop ball to restart play just on the left side edge of Halse box and Crop pounce on this and score in off post. Again Crop half the goal difference for another time.
Halse 3-2.
Crop then have some great build up play in midfield and slots the ball down the left which they whip into the Halse box however GK Riley collects the ball.
As the first half is in last minutes a huge shout for a penalty for number 8 Read VC from Halse who is through on goal and looks like is clipped but is waived away by referee so no penalty.
This made Halse to go again and a minute later after the penalty incident CB Brady lofts a ball over the Crop defence and Simpson sublime first touch runs into the box and slots it past the GK left.
Halse 4-2.
Purnell who scored the opener then receives a yellow card following a tackle on Crop number 11.
Then in the final seconds of first half with a beautiful worked goal Gilsenan slides in Read who smashes into the roof of Crop net.
Halse 5-2.

Half Time

Halse make two changes at half time to get fresh legs into midfield with Purnell and Mortimer off and Eaton and Kinner on.

The second half kicks off at 7.32pm and it looks like Halse haven't returned from the changing room as Crop start very brightly then Crop get placed through on goal Halse GK Riley is down low to get a nick on the ball but it continues to roll past him however RB Ramsay clears the ball off the line.
Crop keep the pressure up and from a throw in on 48 minutes the ball is floated onto Crop right wing and the Crop winger volleys the ball onto Halse post.
With Halse still not got started another chance for Crop and are unlucky not to score still Halse 5-2.
Ten minutes into second half with slow build up from the black and white working it down the left side followed by some intricate passing on the edge of Crop box then Read slots the ball through to Gilsenan who calmly finishes at the near post. Halse 6-2.
Just 2 minutes Crop again come back following another defensive error and the ball gets knocked away from Murphy and Crop slot past Riley. Halse 6-3.
On 61 minutes Crop player number 8 receives a yellow after a late nibble on Simpson heels.
A huge chance for Crop ball hit long, bought down from Crop number 11, he chips it over Brady and thunders the volley against the crossbar.
Just 19 minutes to go and Halse make a double substitution with Bewick and Ramsay off and Purnell and Salvatore on.
Crop then have 4 corners on the bounce but nothing comes from this.
Then on 75 the Crop number 8 delivers another crunching tackle and already on a yellow Referee issues a final warning its still 6-3.
Just as we get into the final 10 minutes Summers hits the post and the ball bounces back into the box and Simpson picks the ball up and calm passes the right of Crop GK. Halse 7-3.
The game is not slowing up and another chance for Crop who break down the left wing, the winger turns left then right and drives forward to the edge of the box and he smashes the ball across goal but off target.
Final few minutes game slows down with no real chances being created by either side.
Into added time and its the final goal for Halse to make it 8-3 when the ball is put forward by Brady down the LW to Read and Read unselfishly lays it across box to Purnell who puts it into top right of Crop goal.

Full Time Halse 8 - 3 Cropredy

Goals: Purnell (2), Summers (2), Simpson (1), Read (1) and Gilsenan (1)
Assist: Read (2), Gilsenan (2), Summers (1), Brady (1), Simpson (1) and Mortimer (1)

Player of the Match Kieran Brady

The lads will now move onto Byfield and Bethal Cup final on Easter Sunday at Woodford FC.