Capt: B E
A beautiful Spring morning at Hartletts Park saw the Tigers of Hook host the Tigers of Rushmoor; the hallowed turf now quite dry and playable.
The manager urged the Tigers to ensure they pressed the opposition from the start, leaving them little time to compose themselves on the ball and make sure the pressure forced them to make errors. As soon as the whistle went the Hook Tigers seemed impressed by the way the Rushmoor Tigers moved the ball and seemed content to stand and admire their opposition. Unsurprisingly, the first goal went to Rushmoor within a couple of minutes of the start. Any thought this may gee Hook into pressing their opposition was quickly dismissed as Rushmoor maintained consistent attacks leaving Hook chasing the game.
The change in weather quickly took it's toll and a substitution mid-way through the first quarter was needed to ensure fluids and rest was available; however there was no let-up in the second quarter as Hook fell 2 more goals down leaving fear that this would be a rampant scoreline by the end, in a one-way game.
The half-time talk from the manager contained nothing more than the need to close the opposition down and not give them time on the ball - nothing new but repetition that hopefully would be considered. A switch in goalkeeping personnel also allowed the Tigers to release A D in to his harrassing midfield role. The difference was immediate.
As soon as Rushmoor had the ball than Hook started to close them down, led impressively by A D. The manner in which he attacked the opposition appeared to insire his team-mates and soon all of the players were involved in taking the game to the opposition. After 5 minutes of the third quarter, a deserved goal arrived for the home team in the form of a team effort to move forward and pass in to space. A second followed immediately with some great composed wing play from B W before a lovely cross to B E in the middle, who finished with a well-taken first touch.
As the weight of play shifted so markedly in favour of Hook, even the defensive player got in on the action as D S was able to come up from the back to, again, exploit another cross from width. Finally, a fourth goal for Hook gave them a lead they arguably deserved for their endeavour and unwaivering resilience - something they have shown on a number of occasions throughout this season. With 6 minutes to hold on, a mention must go to the second half goalie, J R, who guarded the target with confidence and made a couple of important saves and gained possession by using his area well and denying a late equaliser.
Overall, a superb, dominating second half countered a somewhat frustrating and, indeed, disappointing first half. The Tigers demonstrated their capabilities that we have seen often before the Christmas break; they must take confidence and start their upcoming matches in this way.
A very deserving MoM award went to A D for his inspiring second half midfield display.
