Kelvedon Hatch welcomed Barnston FC to School Road on a calm but overcast Saturday afternoon. The pitch once again looked immaculate, thanks Freddie. The Hatch had not played for 3 weeks so it was going to be interesting to see how the long lay off would affect the side.

The game started with both sides struggling to get hold of the ball and the Hatch looked very rusty. After a scrappy 15 mins Hatch were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Darren Hickson skilfully converted the free kick curling the ball over the wall into the bottom left hand corner, giving their keeper no chance, 1-0. This goal settled the Hatch and they started to play football, maintained possession and worked hard in midfield. On 18 mins Charlie Ryan went close with a rocket left foot volley saved by the keeper at the near post. On 20 mins Ryan scored with a cool finish from 10 yards into the bottom right hand corner, 2-0. On 27 mins it was 3-0 when Dave Hopwood won the ball in the middle of the park and run at the heart of the Barnston defence, played a quick one two and rolled the ball with his right foot past their advancing keeper, 3-0. It was now all Hatch who continued to push for more goals with a succession of good deliveries from corners but the Hatch players were unable to get the final touch. On 37 mins Ryan scored his second of the match with another decisive finish from 10 yards, 4-0, and the score at the half time whistle.

The second half saw Hatch continue to dominate. On 52 mins, a Hickson corner found Evan Jellis unmarked to head home, 5-0. On 58 mins another Hickson cross was met with precise timing by the other centre half James McCayna to head the ball into the back of the net, 6-0. On 60 mins Jimmy Scadden replaced Evan Jelliss and on 65 mins Terry Wright replaced Lee Walker. The hard working Hopwood scored his second of the match, with his left foot this time, after another good run and perfect finish into the bottom right hand corner, 7-0. On 70 mins Ryan got his hat-trick after working hard to meet a cross at the far post, 8-0. Phil Dear replaced Gavin Walker on 71 mins. On 76 mins Hopwood completed his hat-trick with a header from close range, 9-0. Hatch continued to create chances with Hopwood then missing the un-missable chance from just 2 yards. Dean Walker came close hitting the woodwork after beating their goal keeper at the near post. On 88 mins Peter Williams found himself space inside the Barnston box and struck the perfect shot into the top right hand corner, 10-0, and the score at the final whistle.

The Hatch had produced a really great performance, showing a great professional attitude whilst maintaining their discipline and working extremely hard until the final whistle, to see them through to round 2 where they meet Scotia Billericay.

Tom