After a great win at the weekend we was lucky enough to have Scott down at the time to be able to let us use this Match report for our website thank you again Scott
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Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter/ X: @ScottMHC14]
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Saturday 10th August 2024
Hullbridge Sports: Blue & White Shirts, Blue Shorts & Socks
Athletic Newham: Red Shirts & Shorts, Red & White Socks
This weekend’s match was a well-anticipated return to Lower Road for Hullbridge Sports taking on Athletic Newham who on their day can still produce strong results with their brand of expressive, free-flowing football. Both teams had managerial changes in the summer with former Great Wakering Rovers boss Steve Roberts coming in at Hullbridge and Portuguese coach Diogo Nobre taking the reins at Newham. ‘Bridge started the League term with scoring nine goals in their two straight wins while Newham had one win & a draw from their first two games. We did not have to wait long for this match to create some drama as only three minutes in, a defensive error was exacerbated by a handling error by home goalkeeper Luis Shamshoum which allowed forward Jamie Nvumba to pinch the ball & lay in low to find winger Alex Kozak who fired home calmly to give Newham an early lead.
The visitors did not drop their tempo as the heat increased and the hosts could not muster many clear-cut chances in response. The good running of forward Louis Bragg found Charlie Morris but he could only lift his effort off-target with visiting goalkeeper Seb Barford off his goal-line on eighteen minutes. Newham thought they had a second goal but winger Leonardo Pedro’s effort was chalked off for offside, however he did not have to wait that long to double the Kings’ lead. Moments after midfielder George Rankin was denied twice in the same move, first by decent save by Shamshoum & then by a clearance on the goal-line, Pedro did get the better of the ‘Bridge stopper, rounding him before coolly slotting the ball in the net with 33 minutes played. The latter stages of the half showed that the hosts were needing a team-talk & some respite. Koazak fired wide of the left-sided post after being well found again by Newham’s incisive passing. The only thing Athletic Newham would have wanted at the break was a stronger lead.
Half-Time: Hullbridge Sports 0 – 2 Athletic Newham
After the break, Hullbridge did create two decent chances although striker Freddie Moriarty could not test Barford as he scuffed his strike and soon afterward, Bragg again managed to send the ball low into the six-yard line but Morris could not wrap his boot round it to divert it into the goal. Those chances would have given Steve Roberts’ side a chance but Newham more or less sealed the match two minutes shy of the hour mark. Jamie Nvumba found a little space & curled a good strike which did cross the goal-line & was given by referee Henry Steele. Nvumba made it two for him only three minutes later as a fine strike from a free-kick bypassed Shamshoum & found the right corner. Substitutions were made by both teams at this point though Newham kept charging forward. One of their substitutes, midfielder James Runham scored a memorable goal, weaving past at least two defenders before firing home to make it five.
‘Bridge were unfortunately not at their best going forward, although still created openings in the latter stages. Replacement Oscar Jones had a header saved by Barford from a corner and fellow substitute Mechack Asuka had the ball in the net five minutes from time but had his effort waved away by the assistant’s offside flag. Such was how packed this game was, we still had two more goals in added time. First, a minute into added time, Nvumba grabbed his hat-trick with a close-range finish to really end a memorable day for him. Then three minutes after that, a poacher’s goal from replacement Aiden Brown ended the chance of a shut-out for the Reds backline.
Full-Time: Hullbridge Sports 1 – 6 Athletic Newham
In summary, Hullbridge could not settle early on, conceded a early goal and then could not sustain much impetus to challenge a very strong display by Newham of pace, passing and finishing. Diogo Nobre’s side were fully deserved victors here as they reminded us of how good they are on their day. ‘Bridge will want to forget today though the memory of the match may well drive them on to success this term.
For victors Newham, Jamie Nvumba was a key player for them, scoring a good treble and also providing an assist as well. Congratulations for grabbing the match ball. Alex Kozak also had a big impact down the channels and show good pace and composure on the ball. Leonardo Pedro also got a goal as well as Kozak and showed his pace and contributed well to his team’s attacks. Lastly, a mention for the good positioning and defensive display from centre-back Rodney Dame, as he made a few telling interceptions
For Hullbridge, their mentions start with support forward Louis Bragg who was always keen to receive the ball and push forward to try and make things happen, even though on this day the forward line was isolated. Midfielder Jack Hauser also put in a hard-working shift in midfield, playing his part in trying to instigate forward moves, while full-backs Jack Unwin and Jack Nolde also had decent games, working hard for the team.
Hullbridge Sports | Manager: Steve Roberts | Assistant: Tom Ranger
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Luis Shamshoum (GK), 2 Jack Unwin, 3 Jack Nolde (12 Oscar Jones 61’), 5 Oliver Jenkins (Capt) (16 Louie Hunt 61’), 6 Jack Wilson, 4 Connor Hart, 8 Jack Hauser (17 Tom Ranger 76’), 9 Freddie Moriarty (14 Aiden Brown 76), 10 Louis Bragg, 11 Charlie Morris (15 Mechack Asuka 67’)
Goal-scorer: Aiden Brown [90’+4]
Booked: Jenkins, Wilson | Subs Not Used: None
Athletic Newham | Manager: Diogo Nobre | Assistant: Freitas Ricardo
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Sebastian Barford (GK), 2 Hassan Saleh Togba (12 Derek O’Halem 69’), 4 Christopher De Nguidjol (Capt), 6 Rodney Dame, 3 Louis Hiobi, 16 Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, 8 George Rankin (15 James Runham 61’), 7 Leonardo Pedro (11 Abdul Khamis 61’), 10 Anderson Baro (9 Jahzeen Vassall 76’) , 14 Jamie Nvumba, 20 Alex Kozak (19 Calvyn Massala 76’)
Goal-scorers: Alex Kozak [3’], Leonardo Pedro [33’], Jamie Nvumba {58’, 61’ & 90’+1], James Runham [75’]
Booked: Togba | Subs Not Used: None