An away point coupled with a bit of a rarity this season in a clean sheet are certainly positives for Jay Lovett’s boys but a lack of clear cut chances and perhaps a lack of belief that we could win the game, in which we largely controlled possession, will perhaps make it feel like a missed opportunity.

Truth be told, this could be my shortest match report to date. A lack of chances and action for both teams will certainly test my resolve in compiling a concise report. The Hillians first half chance came for Kieran Rowe, he let fly from 25 yards with his weaker left foot and it bounced very awkwardly for the young home GK, Leo Andersen, and Dan Perry almost pounced on the loose ball but it was well recovered by Andersen. We can talk about half chances and nearly moments until we’re blue in the face but that’s about as good as it got today, half chances. Lewis Finney fizzed a snapshot volley wide of the goal in another example of a half chance but not a clear cut one. Connor Tighe is yet to score for the Hillians this season but some might’ve expected him to do better when he had a yard of space to let fly from 25 yards but it went high, wide and not very handsome unfortunately. Down the other end, Bridges were very direct and causing us some problems. A shot from the edge of the box had Will Huffer flying across his goal but the ball whistled just wide of his post. With half an hour gone, the best chance of the first half came and went and the hosts really should’ve taken the lead. Former Hillian favourite Kieran Pamment whipped a delicious ball into the box where Bryan Villavicencio ghosted into the box unmarked, he powered his header against the inside of the post and thankfully for Hill, it fell straight into the arms of Will Huffer and not over the line. Down the other end, the Hill won a free kick which was clipped to the far post where Josh Spinks was completely unmarked but he failed to get any power on his effort and it was easy for Leo Andersen. A good a chance as the Hill got in the first 45.

HT: 0-0.

Well. It wasn’t the New Year thriller some might of hoped it was. Things could get better in the second 45, right? Right?…

The Hill did have a good chance to start the second half, the ball fell to Charlie Pitcher 20 yards out but his effort was really rash and didn’t trouble Andersen who must’ve been incredibly bored, along with Huffer. In fairness to Hill, they were starting the second half on the front foot, another half chance came and went when Martyn Box cut inside and looked to curl one in the top corner but it didn’t quite dip in time to trouble Andersen. Back down the other end, the hosts looked dangerous from set pieces and Tad Bromage almost opened the scoring when he nodded a corner down into the ground but it went over Will Huffers crossbar and still the deadlock wasn’t broken. With half an hour of the game to go, the chance of the match came and went for the Hillians. Martyn Box whipped a gorgeous free kick right onto the head of Max Miller, he was unmarked about 10 yards out but his header dropped agonisingly wide of the far post. The ball would not go in it would seem. You got the sense from very early on this game might finish 0-0 and so it did but Hill did eventually test Andersen, substitute Brad Santos cut inside and forced the Bridges shot stopper to tip his goalbound effort over the bar.

FT: 0-0.

Simply put, 90 minutes of everyone’s time they won’t get back. Happy New Year. A clean sheet is a big positive.

Next up, we travel to Ashford United looking to build on this point on Saturday afternoon.