Baldock Town Templars 7 Hormead Hares 1 Under-11 Division Two HORMEAD Hares had a difficult start to new season on Sunday and this game showed their under-11s team that they have some way to progress along the steep learning curve. In the side s first 11-

Baldock Town Templars 7 Hormead Hares 1

Under-11 Division Two

HORMEAD Hares had a difficult start to new season on Sunday and this game showed their under-11s team that they have some way to progress along the steep learning curve.

In the side's first 11-a-side outing everything was progressing nicely in the first half, having equalised on 20 minutes through Elliott Rowe after going behind 10 minutes earlier.

Hormead had a chance to take the lead when Michael Hicks volleyed over the crossbar but the Hares generally didn't threaten Baldock enough despite looking good on the break.

The Hares were almost caught on the break twice more in the first half but two excellent saves from Benji Wrigley stopped the ball from nestling in the back of their net, and Charlie Gates was all energy and a workhorse at the back while Jake Stoten and George Berrett (who was awarded the player-of-the-match) marshalled the back line admirably.

Hicks, Harry Jarman and Jake Bradshaw in rotation worked hard up front, with a number of breaks, but they couldn't stay clear of a scrambling defence and Alex Starks had a header saved on 28 minutes from a corner taken by Owen Hughes.

The second half saw the goalkeeping jersey pass from Wrigley to Charlie Gates with Wrigley slotting into defence, but the Hares were caught on the break as the opposition scored five of their six second half goals on the counter.

The discipline frayed along the back line with players caught up field and Cameron Courtman-Stock, who was trying to play right midfield, was forced to spend most of the second half trying to cover the holes in the defensive line.

Hares' heads did drop a little but they rallied and finished the game with some attempts on goal, although didn't manage to get that morale boosting goal.

There were lots of positives to take from the game: Jamie McKinna looked comfortable in wide midfield and made some excellent tackles and clearances to the front players while the starting backline of Berrett, Gates, Jake Stoten and Charlie Stimson were probably their most effective formation during the game.

Owen Hughes' corner kicks were deadly accurate, while Bradshaw, Rowe and Jack Congrave where very good on occasions going forward.

Jarman and Hicks worked hard as a front line and had as much service in the second half as the first, although the score line may suggest otherwise.

There was silence at the end of the game.

Disappointment? Yes, but the Hares now will work to climb up that curve.