Last game of 2011 was yet another HOME tie in the Hampshire Cup, as were are yet to play away in the competision and have a tough tie against a very big strong and physical Manor Park Colts from the North East Hants Premier and to some managers Cup favourites.
We started with the same starting X1 as the previous week and the message to the lads before the game was simple, play like like week and you will get the result.
We started very strongly pinning Manor into there own half for the opening 10 mins, this kind of came to a big shock to Manor as they are more used to being the team in control due to the pure size of most of there players, but the lads didnt let that faze them and gave as good if not better than they got.
We created alot of chances in the opening mins but failed to take any of the chances, either the ball fell an inch sort or there keeper or defender made the crutial blocks.
However are dominace was rewarded on 16 mins, Zack found himself in achers of space in the center of the feild turning onto his left foot he slipped in a perfect ball that split there defence finding Kieron who used his pace to burn through one on one and smashed the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner to put us 1-0 infront and help settle any pre match nerves.
Manor pushed and pushed for an equaliser but Jack and BK were solid and gave nothing away and if they ever got past Billy was there quick off his line.
We went in 1-0 ahead at the break no thanks to the visitors keeper who pulled off a worldy one hand save from close range from a well hit Zack volley, we should of been out of sight so we just didnt want to end up paying for the missed chances.
Both teams started the second half meaning buisness Manor started to impose there physical side into the game but the lads stood strong they held there own and soaked up any Manor pressure sticking together and playing themselves out of trouble, looking to play in Kieron, Max, Zack and Alfie in behind there high backline, we had to play simple ball to feet as we didnt have much joy winning any headers expeshly with there big defence.
We knew the next goal would be so important and on 38 mins it came thankfuly to us, Max broke clear bursting into the box his shot was saved but he never gave it up following the rebound to bundle the ball over the line to make it 2-0 and to shock the visitors manager and parents, i dont think they were expecting such a tough resiliant Havant team.
From there we took the game by the scruff of the neck and looked the only team that would score boxing them into there own half and in the 45th min Max grabbed his second and our third to all but end the game, it came through the trickery, quick feet and skill of Cameron who danced around the defence to then flick a cheeky ball over the defence into the patch of Max who cut inside the defender onto his less favoured left foot and curled home a beauty into the far corner leaving the keep helpless and send us into the Quarter finals.
Manor however did grab a late goal, after giving away a silly free kick on the edge of the box there striker smashed it hard and high into the roof of the net leaving Billy no chance to make it 3-1 but credit to Billy he made some match saves and was always alert aswell as Ryan, Ollie, Jack and BK being solid at the back and helping to support the midfeild in pushing the team forward, Smithy was solid in the holiding roll thriving on the physical game, Manor couldnt handle the pace and tricker or Kieron, Cam, Max, Aflie and Zack they just had know awnser.
We made all five changes with Josh, Joel, Jake, Charlie and Sam replacing Ryan, Ollie, Zack, Alfie and Max with all subs giving the same effort as those coming off it was good to see all round the work rate, togetherness and attitude was the best so far even better than the 5-1 Pompey cup final win as it was credit to Manor Park who pushed the lads to the brink they made us work for every inch, for every ball, for every pass we couldnt take are foots off the peddle or relax as if we did Manor would of punished us for it.
So we finished the game as 3-1 winners and a home tie vs Grange from Bournemouth who were Hants cup runners up last year, so its going to be another hard game were we will need another performance like today to get to the semis and one step from the final.
Man of the Match could of gone to anyone but it went to Jack he held the team together and even the Manor manager said he was the best player on the pitch and gave credit to all the lads and the team as a whole which was very nice, as the lads deserved all the praise for there performance today.
Well enjoy your Christmas and New Year break lads well done for all your hard work in 2011 lets come back stronger in 2012 as are first three games are Pompey and Hants cup quarter finals and a top the table clash with WPTs dont get any harder than that, but we can be rewarded with the semis and 6 points clear so there is alot to play for.
See you all in 2012 and lets make it a year to remember UP THE HAWKS .......
