The Willimers in America

v South Plainfield Storm

Hopewell Surge met strong opposition on Saturday at South Plainfield, and fought out an entertaining and deserved 1-1 tie. Surge recognised the quality of their opponenets at the outset, with Matt Semple, Jamey Cane and Aubrey Toland fighting to get control of midfield. Their hard work paid off in the second quarter.Jimmy Wilson hustled down the left wing to cross the ball which Sebastian Falvo finished off at the far post.

South Plainfield came back strongly after half time, and converted a long clearance with a shot past keeper Johnny Weeks, who later did well to keep out another strong shot. Hopewell almost claimed a tight game with the last kick of the game, when Craig Persing fired a long-range shot against the South Plainfield crossbar.

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v Bloomfield Cubs

Hopewell Surge continued their winning start to the Fall season with a resounding 7-0 victory against the Bloomfield Cubs on Sunday. Excellent use of the wide spaces and strong running up front brought two goals each for Ben Schragger and Matt Semple in the first half.

In the second half, Johnny Weeks fired home a loose ball after a strong build up down the left, while Jimmy Wilson and Sebastian Falvo both added to the score with powerful runs down the left and right wings respectively. Surge finished the game spreading the ball smartly from one wing to another and firmly in command.

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v North Hunterdon Reyna

The newly formed Hopewell Valley Surge got off to a marvellous start in their first ever game with a resounding 7-1 victory over North Hunterdon Reyna on Sunday. From the start, the Hopewell boys showed great application, working hard to create a number of opportunities. The first goal was quick in coming, with Ben Schragger hustling well to win the ball, then firing in from the edge of the penalty box.

As the Surge got to grips with the game, two more goals quickly followed in the first quarter, with Alex Van Stekelenborg finishing off good work from Matt Semple, and then a great dribble down the right from Jimmy Wilson allowed Van Stekelenborg to sneak in front of the Hunterdon keeper for his second. Surge finished the half pushing forward, with a smart goal line saving denying Schragger, before he then finished off some good midfield work from Kyle McCarthy by scoring from a narrow angle.

At the start of the second half, Hunterdon fought to get back in the game, quickly netting a goal, and then hitting a post from a free-kick. But the Surge moved up a gear, and started to display some attractive passing moves. Steven Logan, Robbie Carrier and Johnny Weeks combined well, followed by a clever move up the left wing by Weeks and Craig Persing.

As Hunterdon tired, Surge took control, with Jamey Cane hitting the post on a breakaway. Despite some excellent and brave goalkeeping from the Hunterdon keeper, Surge were able to add three more goals, Schragger pouncing on a loose goal kick, Kenny Smart stabbing home the ball from a corner-kick, and then Schragger finishing off some excellent approach work from the Surge midfield.

A winning start, and a very optimistic outlook for the Fall season. More photos here...