Hawks triumph again at Winnersh

The Hawks arrived at Winnersh riding high on 4 consecutive wins. The pitch was muddy and slow, but this didn’t deter the Hawks who came out strong from the start. After some hard work down the right wing, George Acock crossed in to Jenson Lea who opened the Hawks’ (and his) goal account at 9 minutes.

Pressure continued from the Hawks with a series of corners and threats on goal. At the other end Max Messias kept the Henley goal safe with a couple of solid saves in the first quarter of the fixture.

Jessica Reed had a chance at 13 minutes from a corner from Jenson Lea, but it curved high and over the cross bar. A back pass picked up by the Winnersh keeper gave the Hawks an indirect free kick on the edge of the box. George Acock gave a brief touch of the ball allowing Jenson Lea to take an accomplished shot and score his second of the day making it 2-0.

At 17 minutes another chance fell to playmaker George Acock, but he was caught offside. The back three of Daniel Flowers, Louis Catlin and Michael Dowling were absolutely solid and quashed any forays from Winnersh before they could bother Max Messias. Daniel Flowers made some excellent tackles and clearances.

George Acock had a shot saved and the resulting corner was cleared for a break down the left for Winnersh, who managed to pull a goal back (2-1).

At 22 minutes, George Acock was busy again on the right and crossed in to Jessica Reed who put away the third goal for Henley (3-1). Shortly after, Winnersh rallied and forced a save from Max Messias; the remainder of the first half saw mainly Henley possession with Daniel Flowers featuring in defence and the mid / attack working together like clockwork. Lucas Wilson contributed to the drive forward - getting into space and supplying some well-placed passes in from the left.

2 minutes into the second half, Winnersh had a clear run on goal and Michael Dowling pressured the shot wide. The next few minutes saw increased pressure and desire from Henley with Michael Dowling at the centre back serving the attacking force. At 35 minutes Henley won another free kick, but much further out this time. Jenson Lea took a great shot on goal from the kick and it was heading in, but the keeper managed to pull off a great save. George Acock took a corner seconds later and found Louis Catlin who’s shot went just over the bar.

Leo Schlaefli was working hard on the wing and supplied a great cross to Jensons Lea, who’s shot was again saved by the Winnersh keeper. Shortly after Leo Schlaefli was instrumental in the next goal having rocketed in a shot that the keeper saved but couldn’t keep hold off - so it rebounded out to Jenson Lea who hammered it home for his hat trick - making it 4-1 to the Hawks.

Conor Quinn found himself on the right of the Winnersh box, intercepted the ball and put in a great touch to George Acock who again found Jenson Lea who touched it home for the Hawks, making it 5-1 to Henley - George Acock’s 4th assist and Jenson Lea’s 4th goal of the day.

Henley continued the onslaught with a shot from Jessica Reed going just wide and Max Messias (now outfield) making some great touches through from centre mid. Conor Quinn replaced him in goal for the last quarter; the sterling defence meant he wasn’t too bothered by the Winnersh attack and he kept a clean sheet for the remainder of the match.

Winnersh’ keeper - who’d had a great game and stopped a lot more opportunities for Henley - pulled off a great save at 50 minutes from George Acock and a couple of minutes later Lucas Wilson passed through another great ball to George Acock, but he was just offside. Leo Schlaefli and Louis Catlin did some great formative work down the pitch and this time it was a pass through from George Acock that reached Lucas Wilson in a dangerous spot - but again, just offside!

On form Man of the Match Jenson Lea was a constant danger and worked hard in the centre of the pitch for the entire match. At 56 minutes a free kick from George Acock was on target but didn’t have the weight to get past the Winnersh keeper. Minutes later a cross in to Lucas Wilson came close to adding another to Henley’s total.

All in all a masterclass in team work and effort from the Hawks this week. The team made it an incredibly hard decision for their coaches to award Man of the Match; for superb defending, supply and on point clearances, Daniel Flowers and Michael Dowling joined Jenson Lea in the honours for his hat trick plus one!

Photo: Daniel Flowers (back left), Michael Dowling (back centre) and Jenson Lea (right) celebrate their MotM award.