Hexham got offto a winning start on their French tour after a hard fought win over hosts Chef Boutonne. In a free flowing encounter, Hexham enjoyed large spells of domination early in the match but fell behind to a well taken goal from the Chef number 8. Hexhams defence were caught napping by the pacey striker who latched on to a long goal kick before slotting past the advancing Roland Buchan in the Hexham goal. However despite going behind, Hexhams heads did not drop, and immediately found themselves on level terms after a goal that mirrored the Chef effort, this time with Ben Rodgers latching on to the long goal kick and calmly finishing low to the keepers right.
Rodgers soon made it two forcing the ball home of an unlucky defender from a tight angle. This signalled the start of a Hexham onslaught, in which Rodgers nearly made it a first half hat-trick in spectacular fashion, seeing the ball bounce of the crossbar after an audacious overhead kick from a Tom Sunderland cross. However he didn't have to wait long for his deserved third, nipping between two defenders showing an incredible turn of pace, he lashed the ball past the helpless Chef keeper putting Hexham firmly in the driving seat.
Substitutions during the half slowed the pace of the game, as did the humid conditions, but Hexham finished the half well will substitute Leo Smith coming close after a break down the left.
After a brief talk at half time, and some well earned refreshments, Hexham resumed in controlling fashion. Much to the delight of the travelling support situated in the grand stand of the stadium, Leo Smith made it four, tapping in a pull back from Rodgers who worked tirelessly up front.
Indeed it could have been five, but for some top draw goalkeeping denying Sam Lincoln of his first goal for the club. The pint sized striker saw his effort saved well after a determined run from Macauly Fawcett saw the ball fall to him six yards out.
From Hexhams point of view, the game took a sloppy turn of which Chef took full advantage, firing in two goals in quick succession, putting them right back in the match.
With Chef pressing, the referee, who seemed determined the game finished in a draw, decided upon ten minutes extra time. Fortunately the extra time resulted in another Hexham goal, this time from Callum Passmore, who smashed home from close range after a Jack Hodgeson corner was not dealt with by the Chef defence.
The game was played in great spirit and the hosts Chef, supported by the mayor himself, did everything to make their English guests feel welcome, even presenting captain Matthew Lawrence with a pendant and trophy which will reside happily in the Hexham cabinet for years to come.
Chef Boutonne 0 V 6 Hexham Juniors
The only English side playing in Europe this summer, because of the failiures of a certain national team, Hexham under 11's continued their European adventure taking on hosts Chef Boutonne for the second time in as many days. This time the tourists knew what they faced and gave what the coaches agreed what was possibly the best team performance since the sides formation nearly four years ago. Captain for the day Billy Southwell, playing in one of his final matches for the club before moving to New Zeland, gave a solid performance at right back and with the rest of the defence didnt let the hosts have a sniff of Roland Buchans goal throughout the match. From the start of the game, Hexham showed their class and outplayed their opposition winning the ball well in midfield and releasing the deadly duo of Ben Rodgers and Leo Smith up front. Indeed it was the twos unique telepathy that created the first goal. Rodgers sprinted down the right and drilled the ball across the box right into the path of Smith who side footed home past the stranded Chef Boutonne keeper. Soon after it was two, again the goal came from a Rodgers pass, this time finding the in form Tom Sunderland who lobbed the advancing keeper in true Phillipe Albert fashion, from the edge of the box sending the WAMS (wifes and mothers and sisters) in the main stand, into raptures. In keeping with the theme of wondergoals, left back Angus Rutherford then stepped up to the plate and let an absolute bullet fly from the corner of the box with his sweet left foot. The cross come shot flew past everyone and into the far right corner of the goal and was followed by a typical Alan Shearer celebration before being mobbed by his team mates. With nothing much to say other than well done and keep going, the team finished their half time drinks and contiued to pound on the poor Chef keeper. Rodgers, who hadn't scored for a full 30 minutes of football, then stung the hands of the French stopper releasing a shot that was too hot to handle, causing him to fumble into his own goal giving Hexham a comfortable four goal lead. Midfield meystro Jack Charlton then got in on the act, swivling and smashing in from close range putting the game beyond any doubt. Chances came for Sam Lincoln to open his account for Hexham once again, but he couldnt connect to a strong Callum Passmore cross, after the trickster had jinked his way down the right wing. Jack Hodgeson too could have notched his first on European soil, but steered his shot just the wrong side of the left hand post after a solid run through the midfield. A sixth was inevitable and it fell to Hexham's European player of the tournament so far, Macauly Fawcett. His domination in the midfield sometimes bordered on the absured, totally out playing his French counterparts and controlling the game physically. His goal too, was outstanding. Smashing the ball from all of 25 yards, he found the roof of the net leaving the Chef keeper with no chance. There were chances for a seventh but not even goalkeeper Roland Buchan playing now in an unfamiliar right wing position, could score. The keeper who had previously been enjoying a sit down and sunbathe in his goalmouth was frustrated that in the 60 minutes of football in goal and out field, he touched the ball a grand total of three times. The next game Hexham play is away to Melle, a side who are a league above Chef, but if Hexham play like they did in this game, not even the French national side could stop them.
Melle FC 1 v 4 Hexham FC
Hexham made it a perfect record on European soil on Tuesday, putting four past a strong Melle side who were French regional cup finalists themselves this season. The win made it three out of three for Hexham, notching up no less than 15 goals in the process.
The Melle side started the game well, with slick passing football that Hexham had become accustomed to when playing Chef Boutonne in their previous matches. The superb pitch too contributed to the free flowing football that both sides played which provided an entertaining opening to the match. Both Melle and Hexham had chances to go in front, but good goalkeeping from both number 1’s and some fantastic blocks from the Hexham defence prevented either side from breaking the deadlock.
With both sides playing well, it took a little bit of luck to swing the game and to open the scoring. Callum Passmore’s free kick from 25 yards out caught an unlucky defender in the wall and looped over a wrong footed Melle goalkeeper putting Hexham ahead.
Soon after, Hexham got their second, another trade mark finish from Ben Rodgers who capitalised on a good flick on from captain for the day Leo Smith in the Hexham midfield. His lightning pace saw him leave the Melle defence for dust, before prodding the ball past the advancing keeper.
At half time Melle disappeared back into the dressing room, whilst Hexham, who were used to rain, stayed out and showed their eagerness to put the game to rest. However the next goal fell to Melle. On a rare break, the number 9 striker lashed the ball at Robbie Menzies who was deemed to have handled, much to the dismay of the rest of the Hexham defence. Not even the jelly legs of Hexhams own Bruce Grobbelaar, Roland Buchan, could keep out the well placed penalty. He did however keep out a shot moments later, with the aid from a puddle in his goalmouth, which prevented Melle from equalising.
With defensive heads down and clearly upset with the penalty decision, Hexham looked like they might fold. But Callum Passmore and Ben Rodgers leading the line up front had different ideas. Passmores shot from distance underlay the intent that Hexham were not going to be beaten today!
Indeed moments after Passmore had struck his effort, Hexham fortuitously got their third. After lashing in from distance the previous night, Angus Rutherford let one fly that seemed to evade everyone, until Rodgers stuck up his hands in celebration. It was later revealed that Rodgers had got a boot on the ball and therefore, after debate amongst the dubious goals committee, the goal was his.
His third, and his second hat trick of the tour, was not as fortuitous. A hard whipped cross from Jack Hodgeson was met very well by the head of Rodgers, using the pace on the cross to guide the ball home, putting the game to rest.
Now back in England, the squad would like to thank Keith Rodgers for arranging the tour and his cousin Dave and his family for sorting everything out on their side of the Channel! Hopefully the event will become an annual one, as Hexham have made some good friends in the process!
As part of the coaching staff I would also like to thank the players for their behaviour throughout the tour and their performance in matches. Roland Buchan, for keeping the French at bay on many occasions in goal. Connor Simpson, Billy Southwell, Angus Rutherford, Matthew Lawrence and Robbie Menzies were impeccable in every match and hardly put a foot wrong. Tom Sunderland, Jack Charlton, Callum Passmore, Jack Hodgeson, Macauly Fawcett and Leo Smith’s contribution in midfield both in goals and in assists was incredible. Sam “Slink” Lincoln, gets a special mention for being the teams moral lifter with his general attitude on and off the pitch, what a character, his goal will come… also to Ben “goal machine” Rodgers, who’s seven goals in 3 games and his all round performance was truly sensational. Finally I suppose the parents and siblings should get a mention, the WAMS and WADS were awesome throughout.
Hello,
I hope your come back to England was fine.
I just wanted to thank you for the games and the spirit of you team. Ours boys were very proud to play against you team. Congratulate them.
It was a good experience.
I hope too that it was the same for you and your team.
Best regards
Fabrice
No End to these Coaches Talents !
Morning Fabrice
I would like to thank you and everyone involved for letting us join you in Chef Boutonne and for your kind hospitality.
The Team thoroughly enjoyed their trip to France and especially the opportunity to play football against both your Team and Melle.
We all has a fantastic trip and on behalf of Hexham FC, the Team, Coaches and all the Parents thanks once again and I hope we can meet up some time in the near future, maybe you could join us in the UK?
Hexham 5-3 Chef Boutonne
Melle FC 1 v 4 Hexham FC
