Release the Hounds!

– Saturday 8th July 2023
– 14:00 Kick Off
– Attendance: ~15
– Distance Travelled: 5 miles
– Full Photo Gallery

– Preseason Friendly
– Whaddon Lane, Hilperton
– Weather: Cloudy, light rain showers
– Admission: Free
– Programme: N/A

Intro

Semington went last season without a team representing the village, with Trowbridge Town’s Development side using their Little Marsh pitch for their home matches. The Magpies are back for the 2023/24 season and will take part in the Trowbridge & District League (TDFL) Division 2. 2021/22 ended in a respectable 4th place in Division 1 for Semington; a season during which I saw them thrash Heytesbury FC 5-0 just before Christmas.

Today’s hosts had a disappointing 22/23 season; finishing one off the bottom of the TDFL Division 2. Only thanks to a disastrous season for Staverton Rangers did they avoid finishing bottom. A campaign to forget saw the Greyhounds only managing wins against teams around them in the league, and suffering some heavy defeats along the way.

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The Ground

Hilperton Greyhounds play their home games at the Village Hall on Whaddon Lane. The village is situated to the north east of Trowbridge, and lies along the Kennet & Avon Canal, over the water from Staverton. There’s not much to Whaddon Lane as a football ground: the village hall lies along one side, while opposite is a row of trees. There’s some decent countryside views to be had, and the floodlights from the nearby rugby ground can also be seen.

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The Match

The hosts should probably have scored within 2 minutes of the start – the ball dropped to their number 11 in the box from the free kick but it was well over the bar. 4 minutes later the Semington number 8 hit a half-volley goalwards but it was comfortable for the home keeper. A really good through-ball from Hilperton’s Gavin Francis to Josh Propert began a race to the ball against the visiting goalkeeper. The Hilperton man got there first but his toe-poke flew just over. Greyhound took the lead on 9 minutes, and it was a moment to forget for the Semington goalie. He was caught in possession, the ball fell to Francis, and he had the relatively simple task of slotting home into an empty net. Semington’s keeper had a chance to redeem himself on 17 minutes, and this time got the better of Francis in a one-on-one situation. Somewhat against the run of play it became 1-1 on 20 minutes – a freekick was sent goal-wards but seemed like it would be comfortable for the Greyhound goalkeeper. However a flick-on from one of his defenders seemed to change the trajectory enough, and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Parity lasted just 10 minutes as a deep cross from the byline was lofted over the Semington keeper and the loose ball was just about buried by Propert.

Hilperton took the lead into the break, and should have really extended the lead on 53 minutes as their number 4 flashed a far post header across the gaping goal. By his own admission to his teammates, he should have scored. The second half was somewhat lacking in chances, perhaps thanks in part to a hatful of substitutions as both teams looked to get back to match fitness after a couple of months off. Semington had a big chance to level up with 4 minutes of the match left but their number 15 managed to head against the bar from 6 yards.

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