EMH Hawks (Riverhawks) Tournament Champions 2013 ... that sounds good ... and also, really nice to see the boys excited and having one of those experiences that im sure they will not forget for a long while. This is now added to the win at the summer Tigers Tournament.
EMH went into this one minus several regulars who had not indicated that they would not be available to play. This fact makes all the boys who did play had to work even harder in this tournament. Hawks won all 3 games and settled a few scores along the way. They beat Riverhawks who in the league they drew 1-1 with. On that day, Hawks were poor, so that was good. Also, Hawks beat TFA Loughton who we'd lost to 5-1 in the league when we only had 6 players. By the end of the tournament, there were some very happy Hawks who lifted the trophy as winners.
Hawks were given a tough time in training this week on the back of a sharp shock against Westward Boys last week and were told to work on effort, commitment and work rate. This came to the fore today and all players can be proud of themselves. At times, Hawks were not playing their best football, however the conditions were poor and at times like this you need players to dig in and fight for their team mates.
In the first game against Parkview Rangers, Hawks were on top, however kept letting the opposition back in. Sam Hobson opened the scoring with a scuffed shot into the bottom right following an Isaac Tokura through ball. Hawks were then on the end of a long ball that was missed by defenders to be nicked in just in front of the on coming Edward Griffin. A Isaac Tokura low cross was swept in by Sam Hobson whilst being tightly marked to put Hawks in front again. The gap was soon two as a solo Tokura run and finish got his name on the score sheet. Jesse Musson was injured and played no further part, whilst Parkview narrowed the gap when two Hawks defenders missed clearances to allow a goal. Chances then came and went, Bobby Spelman went close and Sam Hobson hit the side netting with a free kick effort. Hawks did manage to wrap it up when Sam Hobson chased down the keeper on a lost cause, however the keepers clearance hit Hobson and looped into the net for one you may see on 'Soccers biggest bloopers'.
In the second game against TFA Loughton, Hawks were hard and solid. Defensively positive, Hawks kept a clean sheet which is the aim in every game. The only goal in this 1-0 win came from the kick off when Sam Hobson ran all the way with a cheeky 'nuts' on the last defender and lashed home. Queinton Greenaway and Isaac Tokura put in some big tackles and Hawks managed to hold on for the last few nervy minutes.
In the last game against Riverhawks, Jonny Wright had to depuitise in goal and went on to make 2-3 saves that made the difference. Hawks went three at the back and defended from the front with the substitute keeper in. These tactics were right and worked well. Hawks had to work very hard in cold rainy conditions and with depleted numbers even had to call on crocked Joe Davenport to get som game time. This work was rewarded when Sam Hobsons cross shot found Isaac Tokura in the box. The midfielder span his defender and finished with a skidding shot into the bottom right. Well deserved and Hawks again kept a clean sheet for a 1-0 win to win the tournament. COYH ...
Hawks had most clean sheets (2), top scorer (Sam Hobson with 4), never lost a game, won the penalty competition and collected the cup. All in alll a memorable day!
