Having started the season with a run of 4 home games it was back to back away games with a trip down the A5 to Lichfield to face Whittington. Last season had seen the teams share the points in 4-4 draw.
Trevor decided to stick his faith in the starting eleven who had performed so well the previous week Playing down the slope it was Hawkins who looked to take the game to their opposition. The first 15 minutes were a scrappy affair but you got the feeling it was only a matter of time before we broke down Whittington’s resolute defence. When our opposition did break into our half they were met by a well organised defensive unit of two banks of four with Leighton looking to plug any gaps between the two lines. The first goal was to come from break down the right which saw Josh beat the full back before shooting from an impossible angle, his shot coming back of the far post leaving Seb with the easiest of assists to set up Lucas to score his third goal in two games.
The first goal gave the players the lift they needed and they began to play some great football, Ryan again looking at ease in his new central midfield role. The second goal was to follow shortly after with Josh bursting through on goal and finishing well. At this point Hawkins were better all over the park, Louie linking up well with Scott who was also tracking back when needed, whilst on the other side Kian and Seb had got the better of their opposite numbers and in the middle the spine of Maccie, Jack, Leighton and Lucas were winning tackles and looking to feed Ryan.
The third goal was to come in much the same way as the second, Josh once again too strong for the defence and running through to score. Three goals in quick succession had knocked the stuffing out of Whittington but they battled back well and kept looking for a way through. It was this attacking adventure which was to lead to Hawkins fourth goal. Ryan breaking quickly and playing a one two with Josh before breaking, committing the defender and slipping the ball through to Josh, Josh had time to look up, pick his spot and fire past the keeper for his third hat trick of the season and his second in successive games.
Half Time Whittington 0 v Hawkins 4
We have all heard the saying “a game of two halves” well this was it. Straight from kick off Whittington were quicker to the ball, in our faces, snapping in to tackles and looked a different outfit to the one that had gone in at half time. Ryan had to go off after a knock to his knee and Sam came on to replace him in the middle of the park. It was becoming clear that if there was to be another goal it was the home team who were going to score it. Sure enough, following a scrabble in the Hawkins box, an attacker went down under a challenge from Seb and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, much to the annoyance of Wayne who was to be shown a yellow card for his persistence. The striker stepped up and although Lewis went the right way he couldn’t prevent the ball hitting the net. Hawkins now needed to show a different quality and grind out a result. The chances dried up and the game became a battle in midfield. The lads rose to the challenge, Brogan, Sam and Lucas snapping into tackles and not giving their opponents any time on the ball. The chance shad now dried up and Hawkins had weathered the storm and taken the wind out of Whittington’s spirited start to the second half.
Full Time Whittington 1 v Hawkins 4
Possible our best performance of the season, Clinical in attack in the first half whilst impenetrable at the back. Second half solid in defence and strong in the challenge. Next week a cup game against Cannock Town, Surely we can perform better than the last time we played them.
