Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup (R1): Hype Train FC 2-6 Burnham Village FC

Hype Train Football Club competed in our second competitive cup match as we took on Thames Valley Premier League Division 2 outfit, Twyford & Ruscombe, in the Last 16 of the Reading Challenge Cup (in its Junior Cup competition). Read our match report as the Blue and Gold lost their first competitive match in a well-fought game against a good home side. All Aboard.

Match Report: Hype Train FC vs. Burnham Village

With a cup game to contend with, we kicked off at 1:30pm in the afternoon at Calcot Recreation Ground in what was our first home match since October 5th 2019 and only our third match since that time.

The game started slowly for both teams as we got to grips with a well contested affair. After probing our defence with long balls, the first real opportunity of the game presented itself nicely to Burnham, when Jack Roche was alleged to have taken out an opposing attacker in the penalty area, though the incident was right on the edge of the box and could have gone either side of the line. Roche redeemed himself shortly after, saving the first penalty kick of the afternoon, diving superbly to his left to keep the game goalless.

The first goal arose with a second penalty kick, when Seb Barton dragged down an opposing player during a set-piece situation. This time, Burnham's penalty taker made no mistake with an effort right into the bottom right of the goal. A second for the travelling side went in just before half-time, after the ball bobbled favourably to a midfielder to rifle in to the top of the end.

The second-half changed the swing of the game, with the team showing great character to get back in to the contest. Leon Mannion was dragged down in the penalty area and then calmly slotted his penalty down the middle of the goal to get a goal back, before Callum Parr-Jones scored the goal of the game when the Burnham keeper was caught off his line when playing sweeper, with Parr-Jones striking the ball first-time and into an unguarded net.

Having put so much into the game to get level, we were forced into a substitute (we only had one on the day) and this change aided Burnham to retake the lead after winning the second ball following a corner kick. A fourth of the afternoon was added when their left-winger cut on to the right at the edge of the box and picked out the far-post.

Jack Roche saved well from an effort from range, but the ball fell invitingly to their attacker to put in a fifth goal, before the team switched off after a swerving cross looked to have swung out of play, with the second cross meeting its intended target to complete the 8-goal game.

This means Burnham progress to the second round of the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup. Good luck in the rest of the competition!

HTFC Man of the Match:

Attacking midfielder, Callum Parr-Jones scored his third goal of the season, a well-timed strike from outside the area to draw the team level at 2-2. Alongside the goal, Callum worked hard and was combative against a physically strong side and when CPJ was subbed due to an injury niggle it changed the game in Burnham's favour.

Thoughts from General Secretary, Robert Austin:

"Wins and losses come and go in football, and though I am disappointed that we didn't win this one against the side top of the division above us, our performance was greatly improved after last week's game at Twyford.

We tried to play with the ball and do the right things all afternoon and showed real character to come back from 2-0 down to level the game. Only having one substitute on the day ultimately cost us as we had some tired legs in the closing stages of the game and a couple of injury niggles to contend with. Burnham just had the extra options that capitalised on our weary legs and upped it a level when we drew level.

It was a game that would have been good to watch on television. 3 penalties, lots of yellow cards, sin bins, strong tackles, some contentious referee decisions, 8 goals, and a well contested affair. We wish Burnham luck in the rest of the competition as they were a strong side and it shows why they're vying to win a strong division above us.

As for us, we have a massive Berks & Bucks FA county cup game to close out the year next week, and our training facility is back open again, so we'll be looking to finish the year on a high as we prepare for the real business in 2020."

Hype Train FC: Matchday Squad

Date: Saturday 7th December 2019

Opposition: Burnham Village FC

Starting 11:

GK: Jack Roche

DEF: Rod Stevens (C)

DEF: Martin King

DEF: Robert Austin

DEF: James Carter (Parr Jones '80)

MID: Elliott Simson (Carter '85)

MID: Clayton Holloway

MID: Sebastian Barton

MID: Callum Parr-Jones (Sawyer '60)

MID: Sam Paddon

FOR: Leon Mannion

Substitutes:

SUB: Joe Sawyer

Goals & Assists:

Goal 1: Mannion (goal), no assist

Goal 2: Parr-Jones (goal), no assist

Yellow Cards:

Elliott Simson

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.