League Cup off the gound

Harvesters U13 East battled to win 2 - 1 away to Highgate and Muswell Hill Cosmos in the first round of the League Cup. But they will have to play much better if they want to get through the next round. The pitch was big and significantly sloped, and the wind was very strong, so both teams had much to think about. Despite the opposition playing in the next division below they gave the East a good game but the result was probably just about right based on chances created.

The game started scrappy and remained that way for most of the first half. The first half goal came from Joseph Kilpatrick who netted the rebound confidently after the keeper made a good save from Niall Watson. A further goal in the half from Niall was ruled out for offside after good work from Cameron.

The second half was a bit better as the boys seemed to take on board some of the advice at the break encouraging them to be more composed. Oscar had little to trouble him in goal for the first 25 minutes of the 2nd half and the East had numerous one on one chances that were not taken. Eventually James Heppenstall pounced on a through ball to lash the 2nd Harvesters goal into the net.

At that stage the game should have been up, but HMH battled back really well. They got a deserved goal with about 15 minutes to go to make the final stages of the game quite nerve racking. Again clear chances came and went but collectively the team defended well enough to hang onto the 2 - 1 lead until the end.