Thursday 1st April 2010
v Blue Star Colts
Home K.O. 6.15pm @
memorial park
Great Harwood continue
their winning run with a
hard-fought 5-2 victory
over a talented Blue
Star side and get
revenge for a 3-2
reverse earlier in the
season. The lads started
brightly and some early
pressure was rewarded
with a clever back
header from leading
scorer Karl Sutton.
Dominic O’Brien and Jack
Hargreaves bossed the
middle of the pitch for
the early exchanges but
after 10 minutes Blue
Star found their feet
and began to put Great
Harwood’s defence under
severe pressure. A poor
pass in a dangerous area
let in a Blue Star
forward who confidently
fired home for the
equaliser.
Earlier in the season,
the lads would have
crumbled at this point
but instead they got the
bits between their teeth
and surged forward and
were rewarded by another
typical Sutton goal as
he put both central
defenders under pressure
and found the ball at
his feet and he lifted
it over the stranded
keeper. A third goal
soon followed after more
pressuring tactics and
Karl Sutton slotted home
for his well-deserved
hat-trick. The fourth
goal was the pick of the
bunch; Danny Smith
stopped a Blue Star
attack and played the
ball down the right wing
for Joe Blackledge to
beat the full back and
spray the ball across
the pitch to captain
Jack Hargreaves. He held
the ball well and
slipped a very
intelligent, cool pass
between two defenders
for George Carter to run
onto and finish with a
first time shot into the
roof of the net. Counter
attacking at it’s best –
from a defensive
position to a goal in
around 10 seconds thanks
to slick, accurate
passing. Great Harwood
go into half-time 4-1 up
full of confidence. The
second half was going to
be a tough time for the
lads, who were playing
against the slope and
the Blue Star lads had
shown some quality
passing in the first
half without much
reward. As expected,
Blue Star came out guns
blazing after a severe
dressing down by their
managers and had several
good chances to get back
into the game. However
the back four held well
and continually cleared
any danger including one
brilliant save by keeper
Tommy Achaski scooping
the ball clear when the
opponent had a clear
shot of the full goal.
Save of the Season!
Great Harwood came
through this onslaught
unscathed and found
their feet as the second
half developed into a
good end-to-end game. A
quick counter-attack led
to the fifth goal where
Arron Phillipson got
through on goal directly
from a Scott Sykes pass.
He rounded the
on-rushing keeper in a
wide position on the
right and clipped the
ball onto the bar and it
rebounded to George
Carter whose quick
reactions saw him head
it goalwards and bounce
off the bar once more,
but luckily dropping to
Arron Phillipson to side
foot home. Blue Star
scored a late
consolation to make it
5-2 at full time. There
were lots of positives
in all areas of the
pitch today and Great
Harwood were by far the
better side, creating
more chances and once
again playing some
breathtaking football
that belies their young
age. Karl Sutton scored
another hat-trick,
Jordon Edmondson was
tackling well and the
opponents chose Scott
Sykes as
Man-of-the-Match. All in
all, a great TEAM
performance. Every
player did well and
that’s what is needed
every week to succeed at
this high level. Well
done lads! Keep it up!
Final Score Great
Harwood Rovers 5
Blue Star 2 Man of the
Match Scott Sykes
Sunday 21st March 2010 Home
@ Memorial Park v Ossy
Rangers K.O.11 am
Great Harwood got back to
winning ways with an
emphatic double figure
victory against
Oswaldtwistle Rangers.
The
lads started confidently and
were a goal up inside the
first 2 minutes. A pinpoint
corner from Billy Hargreaves
was met by Ryan Mitchell who
rose salmon-like to head
home. A second goal soon
followed as George Carter
finished off a fine move
down the left hand side with
a left foot strike. Great
Harwood pressed for more
goals and Manager Nigel
Sutton changed to a more
attacking 3-4-3 formation
and their dominance soon
paid off. Danny Smith scored
the third after another good
move down the left which
resulted in him finding
space in the middle of the
box to side foot into the
roof of the net. Karl Sutton
showed how much the team
missed him last week by
scoring the fourth with a
typical poacher’s finish. An
own goal from a fine Smith
cross made it 5-0 at
half-time and the lads went
into the break in high
spirits.
The second half saw more
good football being played
by the home side and there
were several breathtaking
moves involving the front
three of Karl Sutton, Arron
Phillipson and Joe
Blackledge. The sixth goal
came from a goalmouth
scramble which the away team
couldn’t clear; Danny Smith
tapping in on the far post
for his second of the game.
Two well taken goals from
left winger Arron Phillipson
soon made in 8-0 and the
lads were coasting. Joe
Blackledge and captain Jack
Hargreaves sealed the well
earned victory as they
reached the magical double
figure score.
Returning striker Karl
Sutton was deservedly
awarded Man of the Match and
all the lads can go into the
next game brimming with
confidence
Final Score Great Harwood
Rovers 10 Oswaldtwistle
Rangers 0
Man of the Match Karl Sutton
Sunday 14th March 2010 Away @
Blacksnape v Crown Paints Gold
K.O. 2.00pm
An under-strength Great Harwood
side suffered their biggest
defeat of the season against
league title contenders Crown
Paints Gold.
With both key strikers and
centre back missing through
injury and illness, Great
Harwood were beaten 5-0 to a
strong side on a bouncy pitch in
windy conditions. George Carter
made a great start to the game
wide on the left and continually
caused problems for the home
side. Crown Paints’ strength and
determination came through and
they quickly went into a 2-0
lead thanks to a goalmouth
scrambe and then a vicious
unstoppable shot. The lads
fought well for the rest of the
half and went in at half-time
2-0 down.
Jack Hargreaves and Dominic
O’Brien had strong games in
midfield but were overrun by a
strong Crown side that have yet
to lose this season, and have
only dropped points to Huncoat
and Great Harwood in September.
A few of the lads’ spirits
wained in the second half and
the animated crowd and
management tried to spur the
lads on to getting back in the
game. A third goal from a well
worked move killed the game off
early in the second half and a
fourth followed from a corner.
Some good defending by Danny
Smith cleared the ball twice off
the line and they hit the post
twice late on before a
thunderous shot made it five
with only a couple of minutes to
go.
To Great Harwood’s credit they
battled until the last kick of
the game but were out-fought and
out-played by a bigger and
stronger team. It shows the
amount of work the lads need to
put in at training and during
games to get to this standard.
Man of the Match was Danny Smith
and there were strong
performances from captain Jack
Hargreaves and Dominic O’Brien,
also sub Jordan Edmondson worked
his socks off when intruduced at
half time.
Next week sees the lads at home
to bottom side Oswaldwistle
Rangers who have yet to score a
point so should be the ideal
opportunity to get confidence
back and return to winning ways.
Come on lads!
Final Score Crown Paints 5
Great Harwood Rovers 0
Man of the Match Danny Smith
Sunday
28th Feb 2010 Great Harwood Rovers
v Crown Paints Black Away @
Blacksnape K.O. 2.00pm.
Great Harwood went down 4-0 on a
heavy pitch at Blacksnape Playing
Fields against a physical Crown
Paints Black team.
The first half started brightly for
both sides with some exciting
end-to-end football and it was
Reagan Bolton who almost shot Great
Harwood ahead after some fine
interchange play – the ball going
agonisingly wide of the far post. 5
minutes later Crown Paints had a
good spell of pressure and scored
from a corner; an impressive
overhead kick into the danger area
and bundled over the line by a more
determined opponent than our entire
defence. Great Harwood immediately
went on the attack to get back into
the game but without success due to
some poor finishing and not taking
opportunities to shoot on goal.
Right on the stroke of half time a
Crown Paint wayward cross luckily
went in off the far post when it
could have gone absolutely anywhere,
to put them 2-0 up. Another example
of the Great Harwood defence
switching off right at the end of a
half or the end of the match. A good
first half performance by the lads
which had the management team
wondering how we were 2 goals down
when we had the most of the play.
However, instead of going out
confidently at the start of the
second half and trying to get back
in the game, Rovers seemed lacking
in enthusiasm and desire and allowed
Crown Paints to dominate the game.
The defence and midfield played far
too deep and this encouraged Crown
to play higher up the field and
attack with regular menace. The
Crown defence was rarely tested in
the second half and 2 more goals
were scored but it could have been
more. Crown running out 4-0 winners
with frustrating comfort.
Man of the Match Danny Smith had a
good game at right back and Dominic
O’Brien battled well in a very
physical tussle in the centre of
midfield but unfortunately not a lot
else to applaud came from the other
lads. We need to play with
confidence, we need to shoot on goal
more and we need to pass the ball
around better. When we do all 3 of
these things we normally win quite
comfortably as was shown
particularly in pre-season.
Crown Paints Black 4 Great
Harwood 0
Man of the Match Daniel Smith
Sunday 14th
Feb 2010 v Blue Star Aces @ Branch Rd,
Darwen. K.O. 12.00am
Great Harwood reach the quarter final of
the East Lancashire Football Alliance Cup
with an emphatic win over a good Blue Star
side. With only one defeat all season, Blue
Star looked a potential banana skin in the
cup competition and Great Harwood’s recent
run of bad results meant that the lads had
to be ready and able to get through to the
last 16. Great Harwood started brightly and
played some excellent football but it was
Blue Star who nearly scored the first goal.
Keeper Tommy Achaski was alert and came out
bravely to smother the ball well. Great
Harwood built on this shaky moment and
started to pass the ball around well and
looked more confident as the game developed.
After 15 minutes Arron Phillipson was put
through by a clever ball from Dominic
O’Brien and Arron struck the ball into the
roof of the net. The lads then had a strong
10 minutes and Blue Star’s big keeper made a
string of fine saves. Half time – one
up.Last week’s defeat after being ahead was
still felt by the lads and it was clear they
needed another couple of goals to win the
game. The second half saw some superb
football being played from all over the
pitch. It was a pleasure to watch. The
second goal was created wide on the left by
Arron Phillipson and George Carter completed
the move with a cool finish. More Great
Harwood pressure followed and they had
several chances to increase the lead further
but Blue Star’s keeper again came to their
rescue and set up counter attacks with big
kicks upfield which were handled well by the
back line of Danny Smith, Billy Hargreaves,
Scott Sykes and Bradley Allen. A brilliantly
delivered Scott Sykes corner set up Arron
Phillipson for his second goal with a bullet
header and the game was almost over as a
contest as Blue Star’s confidence left them.
They hadn’t conceded a goal in their last
few matches so this would have been
difficult to take. Some good passing and
movement by Dominic O’Brien and Ryan
Mitchell in the middle of the pitch set up
the fourth and best goal of the game;
Dominic O’Brien letting fly from 25 yards
into the top corner. A well deserved win for
the lads this week and some exceptional
football which really was a pleasure to
watch. They are safely into the hat for the
last 16 and if they continue to play like
they did today they won’t fear who they’ll
draw in the next round. Well done lads!
Final Score Blue Star Aces 0 Great
Harwood Rovers 4
Man of the Match George Carter
Sunday 7th
Feb 2010 v Blue Star Colts K.O.
12.00am @ Branch Rd, Darwen
Great Harwood went down to a cruel last
kick of the game goal after leading 2-0
at half-time.
The lads started brightly and dominated
the early part of the game scoring twice
in the first half through leading scorer
Karl Sutton and captain Jack
Hargreaves. Following last week’s
disappointing display, manager Nigel
Sutton swapped both centre backs and
central midfield positions around which
proved to be a good decision as Jack and
Dominic had good solid performances in
the middle of the pitch.
The second half saw Blue Star make a
couple of enforced changes and their
impressive central defender moved up
into midfield and the left winger moved
out to the right side and continually
cut inside effectively. Two well taken
goals drew the Colts level and a last
gasp effort by their winger saw them win
the game with the last kick of the
match.
A very cruel end to a very good game
which Great Harwood did not deserve to
lose. Man of the match was George Carter
who played his best game of the season
on the left side of midfield and was a
constant attacking thorn.
The lads now go into the League Cup next
week against Blue Star’s other side –
the Aces – who are currently second in
their division winning 8 out of 10 games
and have only been beaten once this
season. With the same determination and
effort they showed this week Great
Harwood will hope to put this game
behind them and get back to winning
ways.
Well done to all the lads – heads up and
lets get through to the next round of
the cup!
Final Score Blue Star Colts 3 Great
Harwood Rovers 2
Man Of The Match George Carter
Sunday 25th Jan
2010 Home v Haslingdon Jnrs Memorial Park
K.O. 2.00pm.
The first game of 2010 ended with a
disappointing defeat for the lads.
A
combination of rustiness and the loss of two key
players including the goalkeeper meant that Great
Harwood suffered their biggest defeat of the season.
Only Karl Sutton, Dominic O’Brien and Danny Smith
played somewhere near average, but the team in its
entirity looked tired and played with little
confidence. No doubt they will be raring to go next
week to put this defeat behind them and get back to
playing exciting football and winning!
Come on lads!
Final Score Great Harwood Rovers 0 Haslingdon
Jnrs 4
Man of the Match Karl Sutton
Sunday 6th December
2009 V Ossy Rangers Away Memorial Park K.O.
2.00pm
Having
not played a game for 3 weeks it didnt show ,as Gt
Harwood got to grips and scored early on, a sweeping
move down the left hand side and a great cross by
Arron Phillipson which was knocked in at the back
post by the outstretched Karl Sutton 0-1, within 10
mins Gt Harwood got a 2nd, the dangerous Reagan
Bolton getting on the end of another Phillipson
cross 0-2, Ossy were on the back foot and couldnt
get hold of the ball Gt Harwood were to strong and
on 30 mins they grabbed another goal a great corner
from Scott Sykes was headed well by Karl Sutton 0-3.
Half time.
2nd
Half Ossy were pinned in there own half for the
rest of the game and how it wasnt double figures is
beyond me, man of the match Jake Smith should have
had at least 5, however Raegan Bolton smashed the
ball from short range to grab his 2nd , 0-4. some
good work by Daniel Smith slipping and skipping 2
players and pushing the ball to Jake Smith who was
bundled over in the box,(Penalty), up stepped
captain Jack Hargreaves to cooly slot the ball home,
0-5. Quite a few chances went begging but Karl
Sutton wasnt to be denied his hatrick smashing the
ball from close range and putting a huge smile on
his dads face. 0-6. Final Score Ossy Rangers 0
Great Harwood Rovers 6
Man
of the Match Jake Smith
Sunday 25th Oct 09 v
Whalley Jnrs @ Memorial Park K.O. 11.00am
Great
Harwood were dumped on the slope pitch by the council
for this game which didnt make a good account of the 2
teams, however kicking up hill and against a really
strong wind Gt Harwood defended in numbers, Dominic
O'Brien was outstandind the whole game, Harwood broke
when they had the chance Reagan bolton and George Carter
coming close on a few occasions, whalley grabbed a
scrappy goal just before half time,0 - 1. Second Gt
Harwood kicking down hill were on top but were just
humping the ball forward, not pretty, Whalley increased
there lead with a quick counter attack 0 - 2, Gt
Harwood got back into the game with flucky goal Scott
Sykes humping the ball and it bounced over the keepers
head 1 - 2, Once again Whalley scored on the counter
attack 1 - 3, Last 15 mins Gt Harwood went 3 - 4 - 3 and
it payed off Scott Sykes getting his 2nd, turning and
shooting in the bottom corner 2 - 3. Harwood ran pushed
for an equaliser but ran out of time. Final Score Great
Harwood Rovers 3 Whalley Jnrs 2. Man of the Match
Dominic O'Brien.
Sunday 11th Oct 2009 Home @ Memorial Park
K.O. 11.00am. Great Harwood Rovers v Langho Jnrs
Once again
Great Harwood started a game very slowly and were a goal
down before they started playing but left winger Arron
Phillipson and right winger Danny Smith were both
bright coming close twice, having said that it wasn't till
the 2nd half that Harwood turned it on. A quality corner by
Gt Harwoods Scott Sykes was equally well taken at the back
post by captain Jack Hargreaves 1 - 1, more pressure by
Harwood payed off when Karl Sutton ran on to a
bouncing loose ball in the box jumped to head the ball and
was kicked full in the face by the Langho centre back.
"Penalty". Which was well taken by Jack Hargreaves slotting
in the bottom corner, 2 - 1. A now more relaxed Gt Harwood
put Langho to sword and should have had a bag full but only
managed 1 more and it was the goal of the game, an inside
ball by Billy Hargreaves to Charlie Feeney onto Raegan
Bolton who cracked a shot from 25 yards into the right
corner 3 - 1. Final Score Great Harwood Rovers 3 Langho
Jnrs 1. Man of the Match Tommy Achaski
Sunday 20th Sept @ Home, Memorial
Park, Great Harwood Rovers vrs Crown Paints Gold K.O. 11.00am
Great Harwood
Rovers were playing a strong top of the league Crown Paints
side, but on the back of 2 good results in the lfa and the lge
they were showing no fear and they were very much up for it, Gt
Harwood were in Crowns faces from the off and Crown didn't like
it, End to end in the 1st 15 minutes, Karl Sutton broke free
with pace rode 1 strong challenge and then was chopped down in
the box, "Penalty", up stepped captain Jack Hargreaves to coolly
side foot in the net 1 - 0, Crown replied straight away from a
corner 1 - 1, some good saves by crowns keeper from Raegan
Bolton and Charlie Feeney, great work down the left by Arron
Phillipson played a 1-2 with Bolton and slotted the ball past
the keeper, 2 - 1, again Crown got a goal back from his
only mistake of the game by the Gt Harwood keeper, 2 - 2, Gt
Harwood struggling with the height of the Crown team, but were
superior at the passing game, good work again by the impressive
Arron Phillipson who rode a challenge looked like crossing it
but decided to smash it across the keeper into the bottom
corner, "Great Goal", 3 - 2. Half-Time. Second Half it was
counter attack after counter attack from both teams, Crown
finally getting an equaliser again from a corner 3 - 3, Gt
Harwood felt hard done by and the introduction of subs Jordan
Edmondson, Jake Smith and George Carter made a difference chance
after chance went begging ,Karl Sutton working hard and nearly
getting his reward, one on one with Crowns keeper Sutty lobbed
him only for the ball to hit the cross bar bounce back falling
to his left foot, shoots only for crowns keeper and defender to
clear off the line. Off the resulting corner whipped in by Scott
Sykes it was cracking headed goal by captain marvel Jack
Hargraeves 4 - 3. If this result stayed the same it was fair but
football is cruel and Crown scored an equaliser again from a
corner 4 - 4. what a game for the neutral. Final Score Great
Harwood Rovers 4 Crown Paints Gold 4. Man of the Match
Tommy Achaski
S
unday 13th Sept 09 Home vrs
Brierfield Celtic Memorial Park K.O. 11.00am LFA CUP ROUND 1
Great Harwood Rovers
needed to be at there best in this cup tie against the Warburtons
league Champions of Burnley, Both teams started off a bit slow but
it was Gt Harwood Rovers who broke the deadline, a quality corner
from Scott Sykes and striker Raegan Bolton musculed his way in to
volley the ball in the back of the net 1 - 0, Gt Harwood were using
the ball well, Midfielder Arron Phillipson put a quality through
ball into the path of Karl Sutton who cooly slotted the ball home 2
- 0, The Brierfield strikers caused us problems all day, but our
back 4 were solid especially Domonic O'Brien, Just before half time
Brierfield striker hit a great shot to which Harwoods keeper Tommy
Achaski equally saved but it fell to the same striker who scored
from close range 2 -1. Half time.
Second Half it was to
tight to call with both teams having 2-3 chances but it was Gt
Harwood who exended there lead with substitute George Carter
powering his way through should have had a penalty but with honesty
stayed on his feet to smash the ball home 3 - 1, Gt Harwood had a
bit of breathing space now and were keeping the ball well, but they
must have relaxed to much as Breirfield managed to get a goal from
nothing with mistake from Harwoods keeper, 3 - 2, it was nervy for
the next couple of minutes but they got there composure back and so
the game out, a hard fought contest, well done again lads.
Final Score Great
Harwood Rovers 3 Brierfield Celtic 2
Man of the Match Karl
Sutton
Tuesday 8th Sept 09 Away @ Pleckgate
vrs Mill Hill K.O 6.15pm.
Great Harwood Rovers
needed to get back to winning ways against a good Mill Hill side, and
they did just that with an emphatic 4 - 0 win.
1st Half, It was scrappy
for the first 10 mins then Gt Harwood took charge of the game, a flowing
move grom Gt Harwood started by Scott Sykes pushing it wide to Arron
Phillipson through to Jake Smith then a forward pass into the path of
Karl Sutton who rounded the keeper to score a good team goal, 0 - 1, Gt
Harwoods passing and movement was exellent and they should of had a
couple more, but for the saves of the Mill Hill keeper. Half-Time.
2nd Half, Gt Harwwod
had the wind behind them, they passed and moved the ball well and
quickly Mill Hill were just chasing shadows at times, a corner to Gt
Harwood Rovers was pushed away and fell to Scott Sykes who cooly slotted
the ball home 0 - 2,
Mill Hill kept trying to
hit Gt Harwood on the break, but Gt Harwoods Defence was solid all the
game with a special mention to Dominic O'Brien,Bradley Allen and Ryan
Michell. Gt Harwood pressed again, a sramble in the box the ball fell to
striker Karl Sutton who turned with the right onto his left foot and
smashed the ball into the net 0 - 3, it wa all Gt Harwood Rovers, 2-3
more chances went begging before the goal of the game was perfectly set
and it was Bradley Allen score it, picking up the ball from 35 yards and
smacking a thunderbolt into the top corner.'JAW-DROPPER'. 0 - 4. Great
Harwood deserved everthing they got, they were outstanding. Well done
Lads.
Final Score Mill Hill
0 Great Harwood Rovers 4
Man of the Match Karl
Sutton
Sunday 6th Sept 09 vrs Whalley Jnrs
Away K.O. 11.00am