HDFC welcomed AFC Alsager for the opening game of the 2016/17 season at the clubs new home Longton Rugby Club.

HDFC had to move the game due to off field problems and with a squad missing key senior players it was up to the new crop of signings to show why they deserved a starting place going forward. Deadline day signing Steve Furnival made his debut up top as did also Adam Bridgwood & Ryan Taylor in the defence.

Alsager come out the brighter in the game and had early exchanges that had HDFC keeper Matt Halliwell tested but comfortable with early shots, Ryan Taylor showed why the HDFC staff brought him in with a strong display to keep the forceful Alsager line at bay. But it was AFC that broke the deadlock early to put them 1 to the good after a corner come in and Faulkner was allowed a Free header in the box.
After this some good work from left back Connor Bithell was allowing Hayden Wright opportunities to get at the Alsager back line and with a tweak to the formation with the Sheldons supporting in behind Furnival HDFC continued to push for the equaliser but come up short in the first half.

Half Time - HDFC 0-1 AFC Alsager

The second half started with HDFC coming out to play and attack Alsager and the HDFC defensive line was holding strong and playing some lovely stuff out from the back as well as stifeling all the action for Alsager but then a challenge inside the area was deamed to be in requirement of a penalty from the ref for AFC and Revell put away from the spot. HDFC continued to press forward and with tired legs starting to show manager Martyn Irvine come on up top which allowed fresh legs in there and allowing the press to me more prominent and this lead to HDFC getting the ball wide to Hayden Wright who crossed perfectly into the box for James Sheldon to blast away for his first goal of the season and give HDFC hope with 8 minutes to play. BUT this was to be short lived as the continued push for a equalizer allowed Livingston to get in and take a run at the HDFC back line a save from Halliwell was only picked back up by the player who slotted it past for the 3rd of the game for Alsager and with that the end of the game.

Full Time - HDFC 1-3 AFC Alsager

Man of the Match - Sponsored by Applied Radiators

Ryan Taylor
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HDFC Assistant Coach Shaun Rogers said after the game

" Proud of all the chaps tonight they showed what a good character and strong unity there is in this group and with players to come back in over the next few weeks we are really excited about the group we have this year and look forward to what is ahead"
" Its a loss and its 1 game down with plenty more to go and we will go for them and this result does not outline our season, its a very tough league this year and all teams have improved and we have not stopped yet we are looking to add more to the group in the coming days, but this is done and in the bag and we look to Norton on Saturday"

HDFC's Next game is on Non League Day, Saturday September 3rd at Longton Rugby Club (LRC) and we welcome Norton AFC with a 14:00 kickoff

NDFC

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