Mill Hill NW7ers 1 v 0 Kinloss 30-35’s
Match Report
OUTSTANDING TEAMWORK LANDS MILL HILL SATISFYING 1-0 TRIUMPH
A true test of Mill Hill’s proud (Played 8 Won 7 Lost 1) record looked to be in prospect as a team NW7, shorn of a number of its most prodigious talents, faced up to Kinloss’ over-30s team. With “The Hill” having seen off Kinloss’ under-35s 6-3 less than a month previously, revenge was most certainly in the air.
The match started with early pressure Kinloss as they looked to underline their credentials. Although the Mill Hill back four held firm, finding ways to repel Kinloss’ early advances, the ball was seldom sticking up front for Mill Hill . During this opening period, Mill Hill’s stand-in ‘keeper, Simon Lister made some strong claims to put an end to some Finchley forward play. As the evening wore on, Lister would increasingly play a key role in proceedings. Gradually, the Mill Hill boys overcame this early pressure, aided by some strong tackling by the midfield and established a firm foothold in the game.
Chances started to come, Kinloss forcing Lister to make a couple of neat saves, on more than one occasion nudging the ball over the bar shots which were destined for the net. Chances for Mill Hill were more limited but it was becoming evident that the fancied Finchley-ites were simply not going to be allowed to have it all their own way.
Around the 1/2 hour mark Mill Hill won a corner. Up went the big men. As the perfectly flighted set piece arrived in the box, up rose Ben Lewis to plant a well-directed header towards the top corner of the net. The diving Kinloss keeper got a hand to it but couldnt keep it out. 1-0 to The Hill !!
Kinloss, riled by the concession of the goal, came back at Mill Hill. A shot the edge of area was a couple of foot wide, a low shot found Listers midriff in goal and a goal-bound header a Kinloss player was very well headed over his own bar by Dan Zinkin. The half drew to a close with Kinloss in the ascendancy but Mill Hill defending well as a team. 1-0 it remained as the half time whistle blew.
For the start of the 2nd half, the outstanding coach / tactician Simon Zeital rang a couple of changes with Marshall Hoffman joining goal scorer Lewis up front and Paul Myers taking his place on the right wing. The changes enabled Mill Hill to continue to hold their own and become an increasing attacking threat in the game. A great ball to the right Steve Moss released the newly arrived Myers who made the space and time to deliver a dangerous low cross that just eluded Hoffman.
Now the chances were starting to come for Mill Hill as gaps began to emerge in what had appeared to be a solid Kinloss backline. First coach Zeital battled his way past the Kinloss left back to find himself with a clear sight of goal - the coachs moment surely?! But no shot came, instead a crude tackle a Kinloss defender resulted in Zeital hitting the deck in dramatic fashion claiming pain both his hamstrings. The referee looked at the incident and waved play on.
Incensed at the perceived injustice, Mill Hill once again carved open the defence. This time Dan Zinkin, who occasionally lets his feet do the talking, was put clean through by a defence splitter Myers. 2-0 surely?! Not a bit of it! As Zinkin drew the Kinloss keeper he opted to chip the ball over him. A great idea but the execution left plenty to be desired as Zinkin kicked the ground rather than the ball, enabling the keeper to claim easily. Zinkin’s subsequent claims that the ball hit a divot were later thrown into doubt upon closer inspection of the perfectly flat artificial surface.
Down at the other end Kinloss were creating some chances of their own. As the half wore on, a combination of sterling defending, solid keeping and a little bit of lady mazal kept Mill Hill in front by the slenderest of margins. Kinloss growing frustration with affairs was palpable.
Into the last 10 then and the Finchley-based outfit looked to turn the screw using their pacy left winger as their key outlet ball. It turned out to be a true backs to the wall conclusion to the match. For all Kinloss efforts, for all the dangerous crosses, corners and long-range efforts, our Mill Hill heroes stayed firm...and one man shone above others - stand-in keeper Simon Lister. As the clocked ticked on to 89 he put all debate of the man of the match award to bed with a truly stunning save. Finally the Kinloss attack found themselves with a clear sight of goal inside the area. The low shot was hit true, destined for the corner but Lister dived to the ground and used a strong right hand to direct the ball wide of the post. Stunning.
A final couple of corners were repelled, including a particularly dubious looking penalty claim before the referee bought proceedings to an end. Mill Hill celebrated what has to be their best team performance and defensive display to date. Not a great game for the neutrals, but none were there to see it!!
Final score at The Hive - Mill Hill 1 Kinloss 0.
Attendance: Very few !
Daniel Soloway