Pre Season Friendly     -     Sherbourne St John 5:3 WHLRFC A long range drive from the edge of the area into the top left hand corner of the box let everybody know that Ross Barnard had not lost his touch despite his two weeks of lager in Ibiza.  Sherbourne put WH on the back foot and a number of close range efforts followed by a splendid save from Ade kept the WH lead until 30 minutes, then under no pressure Liam instead of clearing a cross could only fire it into his own net. The floodgates opened and S St John found space in the box to notch a further two goals by half time. The second half started with another early goal from Sherbourne.  The WH then fought back as Neil beat two players to leave Ross with a tap in.  Sherbourne then clinched the game with pinpoint passing opening up the WH defence.  However the last kick of the game fell to the WH as Ross fired home once more from the corner of the six yard box, rifling against the cross bar and dropping tantilisingly just over the line. WHLRFC: Ade, Rob, Russell, Toby, Liam, Dave B, TT, Jason, Neil, Andy, Ross.  sub: Geordie

2/9 WHLRFC 2:1 Odiham        Scorers: Ross & Neil      MotM: Neil The opening game commenced with a WH team breathing collective alcoholic fumes generated by an evenings high exuberance from England’s 5:1 thrashing of the Germans.  Leading proponents of this were Toby, Nick and Geordie. In the first half TT worked tirelessly on the left but overall the half could generously be described as lacklustre bar one clear breakaway from Ross that was tidily kept out by the Odiham keeper. Within minutes of the second half Paul found space to set Ross clear once more and with his extra pace managed to beat the on coming keeper to send it through his legs for the opening score.  The WH midfield then took control of the game and further chances game and went before Neil latched onto another perfect pass from Paul to lift the ball over the on rushing goalie.  Rather than see the game off the WH then chose to perform a masterclass in wasting chances the worst being Ross’ 2 foot miss of an empty net.. If at one end of the pitch the strikers were finding more ingenious ways to miss the target then it was left to the defence to enhance their reputation for ridiculous gift goals.  A cross from the left which would have easily been collected by Dean was intercepted by Toby’s outstretched boot and the ball nestled into the WH net. The WH then comfortably played out the last ten minutes to earn the first opening day 3 points in living memory. WH: Dean, Craig, Liam, Toby, Rob, Neil, Paul, Nick (Russell), Geordie, TT, Ross.

9/9 WHLRFC 2:5 Katun        Scorers: Toby & Clint   MotM: Toby A disappointing day for WH as the old chestnuts of poor finishing and soft goals haunted the team again. A highly competitive first half saw WH maintain lots of possession with TT once again showing class on the left.  However despite dictating the pace of the game it was Katun who broke free down the WH right hand side to square a cross to the middle to the oncoming striker who found the side netting with his finishing. Things could have been so different when Clint pulled a ball back from the goal line to set up Grant from 8 yards early in the second half. Grant was only able to power the ball over the bar.  Shortly after TT pulled up with a calf strain that may keep him out for several weeks. He was replaced by Dave whilst Katun replaced a fat bloke on the right for a former Tottenham triallist.  It was precisely from the WH left hand side that Katuns next goal arrived and a cross into the box was met by an unmarked forward who glanced it into the corner of the net. WH did pull one pack when a poorly cleared corner was met at the edge of the 6 yard area as Toby turned on the volley and hit the ball into the net past a badly positioned keeper. Further attacks from Katun were largely kept under wraps by solid goalkeeping by Dean but the onslaught eventually resulted in a third as the play broke down the WH right to score. A few minutes later it was the WH right side that was breached again as a cross was floated to the 18 yard line.  Liam chose to head the ball back to Dean who was rushing out to meet the ball, the result an own goal. WH fortunes could have improved when a hand ball resulted in a penalty only to see the kick scuffed wide of the right hand post by Craig.  Katun took further advantage of WH’s loss of belief to add a fifth.  WH did however get a consolation as Clint tripped over his own feet and the referee saw fit to award a second penalty which was securely dispatched by Clint. WH: Dean, Craig (Ade) Liam, Toby, Rob (Russell), Neil, Grant, Geordie, TT (Dave), Clint, Ross.

16/9 WHLRFC 2:0 G-Tec        Scorer:  Clint 2  MotM: Clint Momentum was restored to the season as the WH deservedly out pointed the previously fancied G-Tec 2:0. Starting with a depleted team that saw Ade make his first start in the strikers role in three years.  The opening passages of play were fairly non-descript.  G-Tec attacks were largely based on hitting long high balls that Lee and Toby easily cleared up and WH attacks were thwarted by a linesman with an overactive flag hand. It wasn't until the 40th minute when Ade made way for Ross that a ball from the midfield was delicately clipped into the path of Clint who found himself in space 30 yards out. He ran on to take the ball around the keeper and tuck home from the narrowest of angles. With the wind at the WH backs in the second half scoring chances came frequently as Clint drove against the bar.  Finally Ross once again played Clint through and showing it was no fluke he rounded the keeper once more the seal the win. Chances fell for Ross and Grant to score from close distance and three corners led to chances from Toby and Lee only to see a massive regard as all the attempts were blocked on the line.  Clint was put through to score his hat-rick but this time chose to shoot past the keeper who this time was equal to the shot. At the back Dean was little troubled throughout the morning and solid defence earned the WH a blank sheet. WH: Dean, Craig, Lee (Nick), Toby, Rob, Neil, Geordie, Grant, Liam, Ade (Ross), Clint.