Hipperson hat-trick in Hertfordshire

Planters secure important victory

Ware 1 Norwich United 3
Bostik League North Division
Adam Hipperson’s hat trick helped the Planters secure all three points to move above their hosts on goal difference and open up a seven point lead on bottom placed Romford.
There was a first start for the season for Keirron Rose and Liam Jackson returned to the side after injury as Henry Pollock and Tim Henery dropped to the bench.
Hipperson’s cross was cut out by Ware keeper Harry Voss at the near post with Nathan Stewart poised to take advantage of any slip.
At the other end it was Andy Wilton’s turn to deny Jordon Watson a chance of latching onto Charlie Yexley’s through ball.
Hipperson was causing the home defence problems and his cross had to be cleared by Yexley for a corner, moments later his shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide.
A challenge on Liam Jackson saw Louis Bowen shown a yellow card, and the striker returned but seemed in trouble.
The Planters took the lead in the 32nd minute, Rose’s throw on the left found it’s way to Sam Applegate who found Stewart, he found Hipperson wide on the right and he took it into the area and shot across Voss and inside the far post.
Ware had a chance to equalise straight away but Watson’s header from a left wing cross was straight at Wilton. Soon after Bowen’s header from deep went wide of Wilton’s post.
Jackson who had seemed to run off his injury suddenly seemed much worse and was replaced by Rian Carroll in the 38th minute.
Four minutes later and the Planters doubled their lead with an almost identical goal to their first. This time Rose’s throw found Ben Jones who took the ball forward with a strong run before finding Hipperson who repeated his earlier shot into the same corner.
Ware looked to reduce the arrears before the break and the visiting defence had to repel two crosses before Ahmed Abdullah shot wide from 25 yards out.
The Planters started the second half with confidence and Applegate released Stewart but his cross was in front of Carroll.
Hipperson’s corner was skied by a defender and then only half cleared to Applegate who shot wide from outside the area.
Watson hit a fierce drive goalwards from an acute angle on the right, Wilton was happy to push it over at the expense of a corner.
In the 64th minute the Planters were awarded a penalty in bizarre circumstances, Hipperson’s cross from the right saw Damien Green and Carroll go to ground and the ball hit the defenders arm. Hipperson stepped up to send Voss the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.
Four minutes later and the referee evened up the bizarre penalty count when Andy Eastaugh conceded a corner only for the referee to point to the spot, Abdullah hit the spot-kick home to give the hosts renewed hope.
In the main the Planters were reasonably comfortable from there on in, although Wilton parried a close range header with Eastaugh making an important clearance. Wilton then made an impressive double save to keep the advantage intact.
The final chance of the game fell the way of the Planters as Jones’ volley from a Hipperson left wing cross was blocked at the near post.

Ware: Voss, Yexley, Njoya, Abdullah, Green, Bowen, Milner, Karagul (Madden 65), Watson, Machado (Haag 77), Oujdi. Unused subs: Long, Kuhn.
Planters: Wilton, Mackie, Rose, Wones, Eastaugh, Watts, Jones, Applegate (Pollock 73), Jackson (Carroll 38), Stewart (Hitch 85), Hipperson. Unused subs: Henery.
Referee: Michael Begley. Assistants: Conor Griffin & Bogdan Caraghin.
Attendance: 60.

Photo: Adam Hipperson in action against Brentwood Town
Credit: Dave Tinkler