Hemel Hempstead Town 1 (Greenidge 23) Farnborough FC 0 Vanarama National league South Saturday 6th August 2022 Attendance 553
Hemel just edged a close but entertaining game in which the two sides contributed, with chances created at both ends. It’s always good to start the season with a win, no matter how it’s gained and Tudors Boss, Mark Jones was delighted and somewhat relieved to have got the three points.
Hemel started brightly and created a number of half chances, especially from corners and from new full back, Bradley Webb’s long throws, which will be a useful weapon in the new campaign.
Farnborough slowly but surely played their way into the game after this early pressure and created their first real chance on 22 minutes after touch of ping pong inside the area. The ball was only half cleared and then crossed back into the box where Liam Ferdinand got his head to it but Craig king saved superbly before quickly setting up a Hemel counter attack.
As the home side raced away it was fed up to Jordan Greenidge who played a quick one/two with Charlie Hughes before turning and driving the ball into the bottom corner to give the Tudors the lead.
Despite this setback, Farnborough continued to grow in confidence but just lacked that bit of composure in the final third, although ex Tudor Reggie Young almost found that elusive pass on 34 minutes, when he crossed to the near post, Josh Lelan intercepted the ball but it deflected off him and just cleared Craig King’s goal with the Tudors keeper helpless.
Greenidge had a great chance to make it 2-0 just before the break after some excellent work by Ogo Obi, he drove to the byline before laying the ball to the big Tudors front man who opted for placement rather than power, allowing Jack Turner to get across and make a good save.
Farnborough started the second half on the front foot but it was Hemel who almost doubled their lead when Ogo Obi set up Greenidge again, he bore down on the keeper and this time he did opt for power but Turner stood up and blocked his effort from close range. Farborough’s best chance of the second period came just past the hour mark when Mitchell Parker fired in a free kick that almost caught King out but he did superbly to save at the foot of his near post.
Hemel sub Dara Dada brought the best out of Turner with a long range effort and up the other end Parker again had King scrambling across his goal to keep his side in front.
Farnborough kept pressing as the game drew to its conclusion but it was the Tudors who held out to grab all three points. It wasn’t pretty at times but with a new team and with several players missing from the line-up it was a very decent result against a side who look as though they will be ok this season after their promotion from the Southern League.
Hemel:King Dasilva Webb Roberts Lelan Poku Williams (Westbrook 68 ) Brown (Hope 76) Greenidge Hughes Obi (Dada 68) Subs not used: Baffour, Saunders.
Tudors Man of the Match (Sponsors) Jordan Greenidge but I went for Kory Roberts, with a special mention to the back five and midfielder Godfrey Poku who were all exceptional.
Match report by Allan Mitchell
What a glorious day and a fantastic start to the season. Not only did the Boys in Red do us proud, but the Tudor Army made Noise and rocked the Stands.
Congratulations to everyone who worked hard in the back gound to make this Day such a great event.
Photo's by Stephen Fletcher.
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