Premier Comb’n Parry delighted after Hallen win a thriller against Bourne

ANDY Parry was a delighted Hallen Reserves manager after his team struck late to dispense of leaders Winterbourne United 5-4 in a pulsating Parkside Avenue spectacle.

The match was the only one to get the green light under ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the Bristol Premier Combination, yet it could hardly have been a bigger and, as it transpired, more enthralling Premier Division showdown.

While Bourne were occupying pole position with only one defeat to their name in eight matches entering the contest, secondplaced Hallen’s threat was unmistakeable, as five wins from five illustrated,

At the culmination of an epic Rec affair, the “below-par” visitors, by their own admission, could count themselves “a little fortunate” to carry off a full points haul, despite taking a two-goal lead through Tim Baker’s fifth-minute 20-yard drive into the top corner and Jack Williams’ equally impressive longranger five minutes on.

While Winterbourne did get a deserved goal back a minute later and went on to squander a giltedged opportunity to equalise 25 minutes in, Hallen headed straight back up the other end to restore their two-goal advantage as Williams grabbed his second goal.

It was all United once more over the last ten minutes of the first half and the pressure told as they made it 3-2 just before the break.

The start to the second half was end to end, with Hallen missing a one-on-one opportunity themselves on 64 minutes and being made to pay as their ruthless opponents scored to level up at 3-3 only a minute later.

With renewed confidence and momentum on their side, Winterbourne took the game to Hallen and on 70 minutes notched again to lead 4-3.

The away side’s management team, led by successful former Bristol Manor Farm Reserves boss Parry, shook up their side’s formation in a bid to rescue their afternoon, bringing on 16-year-old Ash Hardidge with 15 minutes left.

And an inspired move it proved too as Hardidge made it 4-4 with his first touch when he was first to react to a Tom Collett strike which rebounded off a post.

Still a memorable match on a heavy Rec surface had more to offer as within a minute of tying up the scores, Williams was fouled inside the box before rising to his feet and confidently claiming his hat-trick from the spot to fire jubilant Hallen 5-4 in front.

Despite numerous chances for both sides in the final minutes, Hallen held on to keep their 100 per cent record intact, one they hope to maintain as fifth-placed Olveston United provide the opposition at their Moorhouse Lane HQ this Saturday (2pm).

Parry said: “Our finishing was out of this world so I wouldn’t say we were lucky to win it, although Winterbourne can feel slightly aggrieved they didn’t get more from the game themselves. They are a good and experienced side and at 4-3 down late on we had to dig in hard to come through for the points.

“We went into it short on numbers – two more had to pull out for family reasons overnight ahead of the game – so we were down to the bare bones at the back and in midfield.

“Credit has to go to the six young lads who featured, all of whom have been with me for many years now at various places. Harvey Pritchard, Ben Lloyd, Ash Hardidge and my son Archie Parry all had a hand in the goals, and Mason Jones and Harrison Neill both played their part.

“We’re fortunate this season to have the experience and quality of Tom Collett and Jack Williams up front and Jack, who was with me at Manor Farm last season, was outstanding and could, without doubt, be playing at a higher level still at 32.

Winterbourne chairman Robyn Maggs, who watched Charlie Davis (2), Ashley White and Matt Ellery score for new player-boss Sam Vile’s high-flying team, acknowledged: “It was a hell of a game, one Hallen were certainly flattered to win.

“We dominated from the first whistle to last yet despite scoring four times we missed chance after chance, while everything they hit went in.

“We’d just gone 4-3 up too when Charlie had a one-on-one attempt for his hat-trick which their ‘keeper saved, only for Hallen to score a penalty and add a fifth five minutes from time.

“The very heavy pitch did affect some of the football and mistakes were made that normally wouldn’t happen, but it was still a fantastic first game back for all involved.”

Credit has to go to the six young lads who featured, all of whom have been with me for many years now at various places