Goals4Gosh: Pan’s Panthers 5-3 Hook’s Hippos Match Report

The Panthers came out on top at Selhurst Park after a sensational 90 minutes with goals from A-Star Barber, Wayne Routledge, and Harry Clark.

Written by Daniel Needham.

The Panthers started the game well, with early chances coming from A-Star Barber and Santan Dave within the opening ten minutes. Pan’s Panthers were keeping possession impressively and were just inches away from scoring on multiple occasions.

In the 19th minute, the Panthers, playing in blue and white, took the lead. Wayne Routledge’s free kick situated on the edge of the box rocketed into the top right corner and into the back of the net to put the Panthers in front.

Only two minutes later, Lianne Sanderson’s bullet header from a corner almost put the Panthers 2-0 up. However, Hook’s Hippos defence were able to prevent the goal.

The hippos extended their lead moments before the half-time whistle. A-Star Barber ran with the ball down the wing rapidly, before releasing a low-driven shot which glided into the bottom near post corner.

In the 56th minute, Liam Peskett scored for Pan’s Panthers to make the scoreline 3-0. Peskett cut inside well in possession before firing a shot which deflected and guided into the back of the net.

Santan Dave almost got himself on the scoresheet with a promising opportunity on the left wing. Dave’s rising shot soared over the crossbar following a great run with the ball.

With fifteen minutes left, Coach Cain pulled a goal back for the Hippos with a stunning close-range finish inside of the box.

However, the Panthers crushed Hook’s Hippos dreams of getting back into the game with a brilliant strike from Grovesy. Grovesy’s shot from outside of the box sailed into the left-hand side of the net to make the scoreline 4-1.

In additional time, the Hippos were awarded two penalties in quick succession. Kristen Hanby and Adam Smith both bagged their respective penalties to pull the score back to 4-3 at Selhurst Park.

Harry Clark scored Pan’s Panthers fifth and final goal of the game after a counterattacking opportunity which saw the Hippos defence outnumbered. This was just moments before the full-time whistle.

Hook’s Hippos admirably pulled the score back to 4-3 at the end of the game, however Pan’s Panthers were the better team throughout the majority of the match and fought well in the first half in order to take the lead. It was a brilliant display in order to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, at Crystal Palace’s home ground.