HEPWORTH U15s TURN ON THE STYLE
By Andy Sanderson
Kirkheaton U15 1 - 5 Hepworth U15
Div 2 A spirited performance on a hard surface which just took a stud at kick off. Building on some solid performances this was one of the team's best footballing performances. In a well contested opening, with chances for both sides, Danny Clee made two fine saves to keep a clean sheet. Looking dangerous on the break, Hepworth created some excellent chances with Dey, Thompson and Patterson Hughes all having chances. With a blank score sheet at half time Hepworth continued to play some bright attacking football which led to goals for Craddock with a fierce drive and Thompson with a fine run on goal, using his pace to finish with aplomb. A defensive blunder let Kirkheaton back into the game but a quick reply from Dey settled Hepworth who scored two further late goals, both by Thompson for his hat trick, the second in consecutive matches. Will Munt and Birkhead formed a new impressive pairing at the heart of the defence and with competition for places all three subs, Eddie Wilson, Jack Munt and Curtis Firth put in good second half performances. Man of the Match: Alex Craddock HEPWORTH RAMPAGE IN THE MUD
By Steve Farrar
Meltham 1 - 4 Hepworth A
Under 9s After last week's disappointing cup defeat to Dalton, Hepworth were raring to get back into action with this away league fixture against Meltham. Hepworth started brightly, on two minutes a good move involving Nunez, Daley and Oakley saw Oakley's shot go narrowly wide. On four minutes Meltham had their first effort, this was well saved by the Hepworth keeper Moorhouse. On six minutes Hepworth were rocked when Meltham took a shock lead. This spurred Hepworth on to play some attractive attacking football. On eight minutes, a good move between Daley and Oakley brought a fine save from the Meltham keeper, this was followed up by efforts from Kennett and Proud, with Kennett wasting a glorious opportunity on 10 minutes. However he made amends within 30 seconds by firing in a deserved equaliser. Hepworth continued to dominate the first half, Farrar had a long range effort that went wide and Charlesworth headed narrowly wide from a Daley corner. A clever piece of skill from Oakley on 18 minutes saw his shot well saved by the Meltham keeper. The second half saw total Hepworth dominance and if it wasn't for the Meltham keeper and a muddy goal line, Hepworth could have got into double figures. In the first minute, Charlesworth won the ball in midfield, found Kennett whose shot was once again saved by the keeper. Hepworth eventually took the lead after two minutes when Oakley managed to bundle the ball over the goal line. On six minutes Daley thought he had got Hepworth's third, his shot beat the keeper but the ball got stuck in the mud on the goal line, the referee adjudging that the ball hadn't crossed the line. Hepworth were now in total control, piling forward at every opportunity. Kennett was causing havoc on the right wing and Meltham could not cope with the skill of Oakley. Oakley got the goal of the game on 10 minutes, Daley, after a strong tackle in midfield, won the ball and played an inch perfect pass to Oakley, who from outside the box hit the ball in to the top corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. On 14 minutes Hepworth were awarded a penalty after a Meltham player handled in the area. Daley took the penalty, the keeper got his hand on the ball and once again the ball got stuck in the mud on the goal line and was eventually picked up by the keeper. On thirteen minutes the mud again thwarted Hepworth, Oakley's shot beat the keeper and got stuck on the goal line. On 17 minutes Hepworth got their fourth, some neat work between Kennett and Daley saw Kennett put the ball into the back of the net. On 18 minutes came a candidate for the save of the season, Oakley on the edge of the box hit a forceful shot which the keeper diving at full stretch somehow managed to save. This was an excellent team display from Hepworth and the scoreline doesn't reflect their dominance. Man of the Match: Kennett LATE STRIKE DUMPS HEPWORTH OUT OF THE CUP
By Steve Farrar
Hepworth United A 2 - 3 Dalton (After Extra Time)
Under 9s Cup quarter final The previous week, Hepworth players left the field dejected and wondering how they had not won this match. After cruising to a 2 - 0 half time they were eventually beaten with a goal two minutes from the end of extra time. There was some debate as to whether the match would go ahead. The pitch was hard after overnight frost but the referee and both coaches were happy for the game to start. Hepworth started brightly and took the lead on two minutes, a long throw from Farrar was headed on by Daley and finished off by Oakley. Chances were created at both ends in this open game. On six minutes Hepworth doubled their lead, a long range effort from Oakley was saved by the Dalton Keeper but the loose ball was picked up by Daley who scored. On eight minutes a good exchange of passes between Farrar and Daley presented a chance for Oakley whose shot was saved. The home team had further chances to increase their lead notably, from Oakley and Daley. The second half saw Dalton, who were a more physical team, come more in to the game. The pitch was now becoming heavy and suited their style of play, however Hepworth still created the majority of chances. Kennett should have scored on six minutes when he miss hit the ball with the goal at his mercy, further chances were created but Hepworth couldn't find the back of the net. Then, in a two minute spell of madness Hepworth saw their lead disappear. A defensive mistake by Farrar on 11 minutes let in Dalton to pull a goal back, then a minute later they equalised. You could see the confidence drain out of Hepworth, however with a minute to go they nearly won the game. A long throw from Farrar found Daley who in turn found Oakley who unfortunately put the ball over the bar. Extra time was a tense affair with few chances created. With two minutes to go in the second period of extra time Dalton got the winner. Daley was robbed of the ball by his own corner flag, the Dalton player beat a man, took a shot which was wickedly deflected off the luckless Farrar and went into the back of the net. This was a truly disappointing result to a match that Hepworth should have won. Man of the Match: Proud | 
