Kelvedon Hatch Reserves Kelvedon Hatch welcomed Mountnessing Boca to School Road on a cloudy and damp Saturday afternoon with the Hatch pitch still looking immaculate regardless of the recent wet weather.

Boca started the better of the 2 sides and set off at a blistering pass with some slick passing and movement. Hatch clearly needed to raise their game quickly if they were going to get a result. In the first 15 mins Boca dominated possession and worked the ball into dangerous areas but the ever reliable back 3, Gavin Walker, Evan Jelliss and James McCayna defended well preventing Boca a chance on goal. On 20 mins the Boca forward controlled the ball on the edge of the box and was only giving half a yard of space but this was enough for him to rifle his shot across goal into the bottom right hand corner giving the Hatch keeper, Mark Allan, no chance, 0-1. It seemed going a goal down and a rant and rave from Allan in goal who threw his toys out the pram, was just what was required to spur Hatch into life. Finally the Hatch midfield begun to close down the Boca players and hit their tackles as well as play the ball to feet. On 28 mins Charlie Ryan gathered the ball just inside the Boca penalty box and with a sharp turn hit a first time shot that was well saved by the Hatch keeper. On 32 mins Tony Sutton created his own shooting opportunity on the edge of the box firing just over the crossbar. On 36 mins Dave Hopwood finally sprung to life and went on a mazy run down the right before delivering a low hit cross, no Hatch forward was able to get on the end of it. 2 mins later Lee Walker caught the Boca player in possession in midfield and fired a left foot volley just inches over the cross bar. It was now Hatch in control and pressing hard for an equaliser with the hard working Ben Walker in midfield just too strong for the Boca players. Hatch continued to press but were unable to find the equalizer and it remained 0-1 at the break.

The second half saw Hatch start the better of the 2 teams and were quickly into their stride playing some fast passing football. On 55 mins Dean Walker beat their right back and put in a cross to the far post that Darren Hickson volleyed just wide. Boca continued to try and create chances at the other end but the Hatch defence remained strong winning their headers and tackles. Another piece of individual skill from Hopwood saw him win a free kick, on the edge of the Boca box, which was taken quickly by Hickson went just wide. On 58 mins a shot from Ryan was destined for the top right hand corner but the outstretched hand of the Boca keeper tipped it round the post. On 70 mins Hatch finally got their equaliser when Ryan latched onto a pass from Sutton to beat their keeper from 10 yards, 1-1. On 65 mins Matt Hunt replaced Tony Sutton up front and was quickly up to the pace of the game. 5 mins later Hatch were then gifted an own goal, after Dean Walker fired in a low cross that was deflected into his own goal by the Boca defender, 2-1. At 2-1 Boca applied some pressure but it was clear the entire team were certainly not going to give their lead up easily and they all worked tirelessly to win back the ball lead by the dominant Ben Walker On 75 mins Peter Williams replaced Darren Hickson on the right. On 80 minutes Matt Hunt found some space to fire in a shot that was saved, the rebound was gathered by a Boca defender. Matt Hunt caught him up, made the tackle gathered the ball and fired off another shot which was blocked and away to safety. On 83 mins Ryan got his second after finding space to place the ball in the bottom right hand corner giving their keeper no chance, 3-1. On 85 mins Dave Hopwood scored after an easy finish from close range, 4-1. On 87 mins Terry Wright replaced Lee Walker. Peter Williams had looked lively since coming and easily beating their left back on numerous occasions. He then got the 5th goal of the game slotting the ball home from 8 yards from a low hit cross, 5-1. On 89 minutes Mark Allan produced the save of the game after the Hatch fell asleep allowing their forward a one on one with the goal keeper, he fired his shot toward the top right hand corner only to see the Hatch goalkeeper dive athletically, as if he were in the Great Britain gymnastics team, tipping the ball round the post. The game remained 5-1 at the final whistle.

The Hatch had produced their best performance of the season to beat a very good Boca side convincingly. They can now take a break and tuck into their Christmas turkey before returning to action on the 2nd January against top of the table Raleigh Town at home.

Santa