by Mark Williams

THE Echo League hire Bhfc for their Mini soccer Finals and Hill were fortunate enough to get to the Final.

So in theory it was like a home game but the atmosphere and occasion didn't make it feel like one.

Support was excellent from both sides and a big crowd came to watch a final that pitched Buckhurst Hill out of the top Division against League winners of Division 5 Wadham.

Wadham started the game the better and went for Hill from the off.Hill looked nervous and Wadham nearly scored barely three minutes into the game when a shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Captain Michael Corderoy in goal diving full stretch to keep it out.

With Wadham winning the ball all over the pitch Hill were struggling to get into the game.

A throw in line with the edge of the Hill area was thrown into the box ,the ball bounced up and hit Chris Coveney on the hand.

The ref hesitated and then pointed to the spot.It was a very harsh decision as Coveney did not touch it deliberately. The Wadham striker buried it into the corner of the net giving Corderoy no chance.

Hill were still trying to get back into the game but Wadham's defence held firm and Arun Olivelle on the left wing was getting no joy as was Ryan Mooney on the right.

Wadham then added a second when a long ball into the area deceived Corderoy with its pace and bounce as he tried to keep it in play it spun off him and into the path of the Wadham striker who scored his and his sides 2nd goal.

Hill started to get into the game a little but the Wadham captain and defender was having a great game and clearing up every Hill attack.

Hill came out 2nd half and after a stern talking to in the dressing room went for broke and switched to a 2-2-2 formation, Coveney went up to support Moyo Ajibade Olivelle came off and Victor Vincent went at the back with Cameron Weekes, Mooney came off for Darryl Wantaate who lined up with Oliver Williams in midfield.

With the wind behind which had undoubtedly helped Wadham in the first half Hill took the game to Wadham.Williams started to find some space and played in Wantaate and Coveney for probing runs without actually troubling the Wadham keeper.

Hill had alot of possession but had to be wary of the 2 very fast Wadham attackers breaking after about ten minutes Wantaate won Hill a corner.

Williams curled it in with pace near post which seemed to deceive the Wadham defender on the post and the Wadham keeper who when the ball was already over the line pushed it into the side netting in a vain attempt to keep it out.

The veracious Hill support went wild and Hill were back in the match.

Hill made another change as Ajibade made way for Dominic Edwards.

With time running out and into the Final 5 minutes Hill could not get the breakthrough until a huge kick downfield by Corderoy bounced on the edge of the Wadham penalty area.

The Wadham keeper was in two minds and took a step forward thinking the ball was going to drop sooner, he then had to peddle back and was unfortunate as he got a hand to it but couldn't prevent it going in.An unbelievable goal and Hill's comeback was complete.

The game finished and the dreaded Penalty shootout was upon us. Both teams picked their five and Wadham were first to go.

Corderoy who had been Hill's hero in the semi final dived to his left and saved. Wantaate scored Hill's first but the keeper did get finger tips to it.

Corderoy saved the next and it was advantage Hill. Coveney struck his well enough but straight at the Wadham keeper.Wadham then scored their third to make it one each with Hill to take their third.

Up stepped Mooney who hit it hard to the keepers right 2-1 to Hill.

You could of cut the tension with a knife as Wadham took their penultimate penalty. The ball was struck well enough low in the corner to Corderoy's right. He initially went to his left but then dived backwards to brilliantly turn the ball round the post, A remarkable save.

Up stepped Sammy Bradley who smashed the ball into the back of the net and start mass celebrations from Hill's players coaches and supporters.

A big credit to a Wadham side who belied their league position to create a a memorable final and were gracious in defeat. To use the old cliché a game is 2 halves will never be more appropriate to a game like this.

Hill's line up:
Corderoy,Vincent,Coveney,Bradley,Wantaate,Mooney,Edwards,Olivelle,Williams,Ajibade,Weekes