EBFL Division 2 Match Report: Eton Wick FC 0-0 Hype Train FC

Hype Train Football Club competed in their first competitive away match in East Berkshire Football League's Division 2, with the club taking on Eton Wick FC. Read our match report as the Blue and Gold managed their second draw in as many weeks, meaning we open EBFL Division 2 with 5 points from our opening trio of fixtures. All Aboard.

EBFL Match Report: Eton Wick vs. Hype Train FC

Hype Train FC made the short trip down the M4 from Reading to Eton Wick, through cow fields and all, for a 2pm kick-off to play the namesake football side.

We started the first-half the stronger of the two sides, had ample possession, though it took us until 20 minutes to eek out our first chance of the game, when left-winger Sam Paddon flashed a shot over the bar. Aaron Holloway and Clayton Holloway both had shots from distances, before our best chance of the first-half.

Good interplay down the right-side between Rod Stevens and Callum Fox-Spence led to Fox-Spence beating the left-back and crossing to the penalty spot, with Paddon's header going just wide of the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

In the second-half, Eton Wick changed shape and put an extra body in midfield in an attempt to apply more pressure on our back four, and started strongly, flashing a few shots from distances well wide.

Martin King, playing as the lone Forward for HTFC, had the best opportunity of the game, when Clayton Holloway played King in, whose fierce shot was saved well by the diving Eton Wick keeper, with Aaron Holloway's followup going over the bar.

Eton did have one clear chance to win the game when a cross from their right-side was met at the back-post by their Number 9, whose header lacked accuracy from six-yards out, with the team avoiding its only real scare.

The game fizzled out with chances, and substitutes, at a premium, with the game ending without a goal - the first time we've endured a 0-0 draw in what was our 10th overall match as a club.

HTFC Man of the Match:

Rod Stevens has been a consistently good performer for HTFC at right-back during our opening three matches and was at the heart of our play, both offensively and defensively. Stevens was confident on the ball, looked to link play for ninety minutes with midfield, tracked his runners well and helped organise the defence on our way to a second clean sheet this season.

Thoughts from General Secretary, Robert Austin:

"Teams across the South East endured similar conditions this weekend, and we were no different. It was hot and humid, wedding season, and the pitch was dry, solid and lacking grass. These conditions made for a tight afternoon of action, with both teams lacking many substitutes off the bench to change a closely fought match.

We played very well in the first-half, managed their defence into a lot of forced mistakes, and had the chances to go in at half-time with a goal, but it wasn't to be in front of goal for both teams. Our best chance came in the second-half and we endured a lot of pressure as the game game to a close, but both sides struggled to make that final and decisive pass to open up the opposing team.

Considering we are new to the league and knew little about the opposition, and only had twelve players available, with 18 players either injured, at charity events or weddings, we managed the occasion very well and come away with a good point against a side that made it difficult for us.

Personally, I am very happy that we've been able to register two clean sheets out of three matches this season. We're proving hard to break down and are limiting chances to a minimum - we've only conceded a wonder goal. If we can find our shooting boots, I'm confident that we can challenge at the top end of the table come the end of the season.

Eton Wick were very good hosts and accommodated the team with free food after the game in their clubhouse. Thanks to everyone at Eton for their hospitality. They're a family friendly club and we genuinely wish them the best for the rest of the season."

What that means in EBFL Division 2...

Our goalless draw means that we move down to 6th in the table and are one of only four teams who remain unbeaten this season. Townmead remain top despite a defeat away at Iver Heath, whilst Old Windsor rise to second after a default win, with Phoenix Old Boys were unable to field a side and had issues with their home pitch.

Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad

Date: Saturday 21st September 2019

Opposition: Eton Wick

Starting 11:

GK: Jack Roche

DEF: Rod Stevens

DEF: Alex O'Keeffe - (C)

DEF: Robert Austin

DEF: James Carter

MID: Callum Fox-Spence

MID: Aaron Holloway (Payne '80)

MID: Tommy Payne (Scott '50)

MID: Clayton Holloway

MID: Sam Paddon

FOR: Martin King

Substitutes:

SUB: Ashley Scott

Want to know more about The Hype Train?

The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in Fantasy sports reporting, starting with Fantasy Premier League (FPL), before expanding to MLS Fantasy coverage in 2018.

We pride ourselves in providing beautiful graphics, statistics, in-depth analytical reporting and free weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb rankings tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review games, live sport, and professional wrestling.

In 2019, Hype Train Football Club was formed, becoming the first Fantasy Football website to take to the field. HTFC is a socially active team across social and web channels, providing regular match highlights, match reports, comprehensive player statistics and unique player profiles.

The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog' in 2016 by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), and were again shortlisted as a finalist in 2019 in the 'Best Fantasy Football Blog' category.

You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, follow Hype Train FC on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk

All aboard.