Rotherfield Utd 7-5 Holyport Hawks 5
The Hawks started where they left off last week, on the front foot. Straight from KO the Hawks took the lead.Riley recieved the kick off and played a great ball through to Michael, Bobby collected his pass and smashed home for 1-0. The Hawks quickly made it 2-0 as Taylor ran on to Michael's through ball and knocked it past the keeper. Riley, Ewan and Jack C were bossing the midfield in the early stages and the Hawks nearly made it 3 as Michael ran clear and his aquare ball went agonisingly wide. Harry R then made a great save in goal but Rotherfield were soon back in the game, the defense were caught on the wrong side off the ball after a goal kick and he lead was halfed . Taylor then had a shot saved before the Hawks score again. yet another dangerous corner from Riley was turned in by Bobby.Despite the score line Rotherfield were still in the game and kept their width, their two wide players began to take over the game as girl power took over. Both wingers stayed wide and continually bamboozled the Hawks defence with their strong running and flowing pony tails. The Hawks were like rabbits caught in headlights , mesmorised by their own testoterone and refused to tackle the girls .Despite constant pressure the Hawks score again , Ewan smashing in from Taylor's lay off.
The turning point of the game came on 34 minutes, the Hawks failed to clear and Harry R was forced to rush from goal and unluckily conceeded a penalty. This was easily converted to make it 4-2 to the Hawks at HT. The tide had now turned as the Hawks began to tire badly and conceeded 3 poor goals within the first 6 mins of the 2nd half and trailed for the first time 5-4. The Hawks were now rocking and a serious case of Rope a dobe was on the cards for the Hawks to stay in the game. The Hawks gave themselves a lifeline as Michael surged onto Jack Clarke's pass to equalise. Taylor then had a shot well saved as the Hawks came back from the brink. Their Resurgance was short lived as Rotherfield went back ahead with a great long range strike . Harry R then made 2 magnificent saves to keep the game close, the first a full length dive to his left and then a near post block. This all proved to be in vain as Rotherfield scored number 7, the Hawks by now a beaten side , were unable to come back again.
In the end a deserved win for Rotherfield who outlasted the Hawks in a battle of fitness. In the end the lack of subs on the day told as the Hawks ran out of legs and bodies , to cover the gaping holes in midfield and defence. However the Hawks management will not be too downhearted as big players return for next week's cup game. Jasan was MOM for a great performance at the back, other plaudits go to Riley for another dominant performance in midfield and to Harry R in goal for his great saves during the game . Forwards Michael and Taylor ran themselves intoi the ground and between them scored 2 and assisted 3 of the hawks goals. Back to the drawing board at training on Wednesday with player fitness the key focus for the team !
