It was back to action with our first away game of the season at local rivals Heath Hayes. The two games last season being tight hard fought games with Hawkins having the upper hand.
Hawkins set up with a different looking side, Ryan, starting his first game, in center midfield and Seb moving out on to the right wing. Heath Hayes were looking to learn from their mistakes in previous encounters and chose to man mark Josh up front and holding a deep defensive line. Hawkins controlled the early part of the game as both teams looked to gain an early advantage. From the first minute, it was clear the lads weren’t going to perform as they had done the previous week and were quicker and stronger in every challenge. With Heath Hayes playing a deep line at the back and looking to play long balls up to the wingers Hawkins could control the middle of the park. Leighton snapping into challenges, Lucas looking to stamp his authority on the midfield and Ryan looking to work Seb and Scott into the game at any time. All the time Josh was keeping the defence on their toes wait for that first chance. Josh didn’t have to wait long until he got his chance, sprinting clear down the right and placing the ball low to the keepers right and in of the post for the opening goal.
The opening goal spurred the away side on with Jack leading from the back and making 3 or 4 driving runs out of defence. The second goal was to come from a corner on the right, the ball bobbling around before falling to Lucas on the edge of the box who struck and clean drive into the back of the net. The first half finished as it had started with Hawkins pushing forward passing the ball around well and Heath Hayes defending well.
Half Time Heath Hayes 0 v Hawkins 2
The second half started with Hawkins keen to extend their lead and knock the stuffing out of Heath Hayes. Knowing the next goal would be crucial Hawkins passed the ball around well and looked good on the ball. The third goal was to come in similar fashion to the first, Josh running through and slotting home. If anyone had thought the third goal would kill the game off, they would be mistaken as all most straight from kick off Heath Hayes created confusion on the Hawkins area which resulted with Louie clearing the ball straight into Maccie who could do nothing but deflect it into the back of his own net. The sight of the Heath Hayes players laughing at Maccie’s misfortune seemed to push the lads on. Seb was having a storming game in his new position and linking up well with Lucas and creating one opportunity after another. It wouldn’t be long before Hawkins had a 3-goal lead. Josh linking up with Rhys, beating players and making his way down to the by line before cutting the ball back for Lucas to finish well. A fifth goal was to follow soon after as Seb put Josh away this time down the right and in almost a carbon copy of the last goal Josh made it to the by line, this time choosing to go it alone and finishing from a tight angle. That was the end of the action as Hawkins took the opportunity to give there every growing substitute bench a run out.
It was a terrific performance after the previous weeks set back. Every single player was on their game and played to the level that we all know they are capable of. Next week another away game, this time against Whittington who we shared 8 goals with last season.
Full Time Heath Hayes 1 v Hawkins 5
