Horndean Hawks Raptors exited the Portsmouth Cup away to Copnor North End. Missing Charlie Fry and Harry Fairclough and with Steve Fazackerly having to play through the pain of a back injury, it was always going to be a tough ask to get the better of a Copnor team that has a 100% record in the C Division.
The Hawks almost got off to a perfect start after just 4 minutes when Lewis McKerr played a stunning through ball from the left which Euan Condron almost got on the end of. Not for the first time the Copnor goalkeeper was alert to the danger and quick off his line to save well.
However after 7 minutes Horndean fell behind when Copnor headed home from a corner.
Six minutes later Copnor doubled their lead when Horndean lost the ball in the middle of the park and the Copnor striker sped through and finished well from inside the area.
Horndean were trying to assert some authority on the match but weren’t able to get into their usual flowing style. Both sides were creating chances and both keepers were being kept busy.
As half-time approached Hawks captain, Will Codling, went on a powerful run and was unlucky to see his shot just go over the bar.
More bad luck befell the Hawks shortly afterwards when Harry Mansfield had to go off injured – especially as Harry had been causing problems for the Copnor defence during the first 30 minutes.
Just before half-time Horndean’s pressure paid off when Steve Fazackerly was crudely scythed down in the box. Euan Condron stepped up and dispatched the penalty to peg back Copnor.
Half-time : Copnor North End 2, Horndean Hawks Raptors 1
Despite another injury-enforced reshuffle at half-time, Horndean came out for the second half firing on all cylinders and were soon back on equal terms.
Some neat work on the left wing saw the ball break kindly to Euan Condron inside the box and he rifled a shot beyond the despairing Copnor keeper to make it 2-2.
For the next 20 minutes both sides looked for the advantage that would take them through to the quarter finals. Copnor hit the woodwork whilst at the other end Horndean went close on a number of occasions.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 59th minute. A cross from the left wasn’t cleared but the shot from the Copnor forward seemed tame enough. However it crept in at the far post to give the home side the advantage once again.
Horndean pressed again in an attempt to equalise once more – pushing Jake Lynch into a 3 man attack as they searched for a third goal. However luck was clearly not on Horndean’s side as the visitors were forced to see out the game with only 10 players. Captain Will Codling had been on the receiving end of a very heavy challenge and, despite trying to bravely lead his team on, had to leave the field injured.
Horndean were left to rue a catalogue of absences and injuries to key players without which the outcome of the match would have been very different. Hopefully the injuries picked up will be short-term and will not hamper the Hawks as they continue their push for promotion.
Final score : Copnor North End 3, Horndean Hawks Raptors 2
