Predators take the plaudits

On a day where the weather was as fickle as the run of play, the Hawks faced the visiting Pinewood Predators. The Predators were very strong upfront and had no hesitation in using this to dominate the match and notched up 2 goals in the first 5 minutes.

The Predators consolidated their lead at the 14-minute mark, making it 3-0. The Hawks were playing well, but a little dazed by the score line. The Predators kept keeper Max Messias very busy today and he was instrumental in stopping the score from creeping up any further, making 3 great saves between the 16th & 21st minutes, supported by Daniel Flowers making a great clearance after the final one.

The Hawks started to regain their composure and make more inroads into the Predators defence. Jenson Lea took a curling shot from distance on the right and came remarkably close to opening the goal account. A great corner from Harry Graham was followed by a lovely tap from Jessica Reed that forced a save from their keeper. As play moved back towards the Hawks goal, Dan stepped in and sent it back into the mix with a great ball that was then picked up by George Acock who passed through to a waiting Conor Quinn who in turn passed through to Harry who found Lucas Wilson who found… the back of the net! Great build up work resulting in a great goal.

The Hawks were back in the match and Leo Schlaefli found himself in space after running onto the ball from the half way line, he took a moment and took a great arcing shot that narrowly missed the waiting goal. A few minutes before half time saw a couple more corners from the Hawks and nice passing and movement between Harry and George. Jess positioned herself well and got on the end of a pass, making a break towards goal, she was taken down on the edge of the box in what could have been a game changing opportunity.

The backs were also getting the measure of the attacking force of the Predators, with Louis Catlin, Dan and Leo making some timely clearances.

The Hawks opened the second half in a much stronger manner and the passing between George, Jamie, Jenson and Lucas/Leo up front was causing difficulties for the Predators. There was good pressure from the Hawks and they’d secured a corner within the first minute of kick off. In the third minute Harry passed to George for a chip on goal, but their goalie came out and did well to control the ball.

The Hawks successfully defended a corner around thirty-six minutes with Max putting in another impressive block. At the thirty-seven-minute mark, Jamie made a great run on goal - it was 3 on 1 - with Jamie going solo and he was unlucky not to net - even against these odds. The Predators countered following a goal kick and managed to net again making it 4-1.

The passing work that was rusty at the start of the match was now much more fluid across the whole team and Max did a great dummy and pass through to Jenson, ready in space, leading to a shot on goal that the Predators successfully blocked. This was followed up by another great run by Jamie down the right of the pitch - he made a cross to George who was well positioned near the goal - but they couldn’t quite connect. Jenson had a chance in the 56th minute with a chip that the keeper did well to save.

Conor made some key saves in the final quarter ably assisted by Louis, Jess and Harry who kept the Predators in check with Mikey Dowling tracking up and down supporting both attack and defence. The Hawks were hungry to make the score line reflect the balance of play in the latter part of the game and after (excuse the cliché - but it definitely was…) a goal mouth melee, Max managed to put it in the back of the net a minute before full time. The Hawks were looking dangerous and definitely had more goals in them - unfortunately time was not on their side, so the match remained 4-2 to the Predators.

For a tireless performance, working well in the passing machine, showing intelligence in getting into space and making some stonking runs - our man of the match today was Jamie Halliwell.