The Hawk's luck finally ran out this week at Jubilee field as they fell valliantly to old foes Ashridge park . The Hawks were fired up on a wet November morning but still managed to observe an exemplary minutes silence for all the brave soldiers that have died protecting our country. The Hawks roared straight into life , and once again took an early lead . Jake running onto Bobby inside through ball to score with ease a rare moment of quality in early skirmishes. The Hawks were playing a very direct game neglecting their wide players, this nearly paid off again as the Hawks created and missed a number of chances. Michael had a shot saved from Riley's long throw before Riley himself had a shot saved.
An excellent start but the boys failed to heed the warnings given to them before the game. Ashridge are a strong physical side and the Hawks were briefed to fight fire with fire but in truth struggled with this physicality all game with Jacob lost for a while to a very early rake down his achilles. The Ashridge park striker was also singled out as the main threat before the game and despite his quiet start, he would eventually prove the match winner. His first , of 4 goals, was far too easy as he outpaced a static Holyport back three to equalise. The response from the Hawks was immediate as Jake was unlucky to shoot wide after running onto Taylor's lofted though ball. The Hawks were soon behind and it was all of their own doing as they pretended to be Barcelona from their own goal kick. The short kick was on but a dosile defence and midfield failed to react and allowed Ahridge park's danger man a far post tap in.
The lead was brief as the Hawk's talisman Jake smashed in a direct free kick from long range into the top left corner of a bewildered keeper's net. The Hawks had now switched personnel at the back with Bobby tailing the speedy Ashridge striker but lax midfield play let him in again to make it 3-2 to Ashridge at HT.
A very scrappy half of football which never really flowed for either team but highlighted the Hawks problems dealing with pace .
The Hawks were given the full hairdryer treatment at halftime and told to battle their way back into the game and they quickly took this on board . They started to dominate the game and began to make inroads down both wings as Taylor on the right and Jacob on the left finally got into the game. The Hawks enjoyed a dominant first 20 mins of the half without managing to create a clear cut chance despite a sucession of searching corners and throws from Riley. Ashridge then hit home with a total sucker punch, after being forced to defend in inceasing large numbers, they broke clear onto a long ball and the man of the match notched his fourth of the game. Thankfully the hawk's heads never went down and Jake set up a grandstand finish as he completed his hat trick. Michael's great turn inside gave him time to slip Jake in and he comfortably finished with his left foot. to make it 3-4.
Despite sending virtually the whole team forward the Hawks fell short, their last chance falling to Michael, who had a shot saved after Tommy flicked on a corner.
This was the Hawks first home defeat of the season and really a game they should never have lost as they failed to make the most of their superior possesion. Credit went to both keepers who performed superbly on a very slippery pitch . The Hawks failed to bite into their tackles in midfield and work need to be done on communication and helping each other out, far too often players are left isolated and overloaded. MOM was Jake for yet another Hat-trick and the main thing to take from the game is how far the team have come in 3 years. In the 2014-2015 season the team were thumped 6-1 in the cup by Ashridge park , last season they were beaten 5-2 and 3-1. Lets hope there is another chance to finally get the win next year.
