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Hitchin Hawks v Stotfold

Saturday, November 24 2007

Well everyone turned out on what was definitely the coldest morning yet this season, brass monkeys where certainly sighted in the area. Once we had all found the secret entrance to the car park it was game on.

The Hawks went into their game knowing that their opposition had not yet lost a game this season and so expected a tough match. The first few minutes were very tense as Stotfold came out strong and the Hawks tried to settle down. In the 2nd minute a run down the wing from Ben resulted in a great cross to George R in the box, unfortunately the Stotfold keeper made a very brave save at George’s feet. Stotfold responded with a counter attack and a ping pong scramble in the Hawks box was eventually cleared. Stotfold continued to apply pressure and Ali ‘the Hands’ Moatt was once again called upon to make a great save. Stotfold’s pin point passing continued to put the Hawks under pressure especially in midfield where Stotfold started to dominate. Stotfold had a couple of shots just before half time with Ali saving one and the other just wide of the left post. 

The second half saw the Hawks beginning to close down the Stotfold midfield and really start to get some possession of their own. A Tyler corner put Stotfold under serious pressure until the ball was eventually cleared. In the 25th minute another Stotfold shot required Ali to make another save. Tyler had another corner which was dropped by the keeper and cleared by a Stotfold defender. Ben managed to get a cross into Tyler whose shot was just right of the post. Stotfold managed to win themselves a corner which was immediately cleared by the Hawks’ defence. A second corner resulted in another Stotfold shot just right of the post. The Hawks were given a free kick on the edge of the Stotfold box, this was taken by Ben but possession was eventually lost. In the 32nd minute Stotfold finally managed to get a shot on target that eluded the keeper to make it [0-1]. 

 
The Hawks continued to battle on and a quick throw in from Tyler down the line to Ben was passed to George R who managed to get a shot at goal, but was just wide of the post. A last attack from Stotfold saw two Stotfold players break through the Hawks defence. Ali had to run out of goal at the approaching players and managed to deflect the ball and clear it. 

Given the weather conditions it was a most enjoyable match to watch and only conceding a single goal under the circumstances was quite an achievement.

Hawks: Alistair Moatt; Ryan Cafferkey; Oliver Garner, George Fitter; Tyler Gray; Ben Wilmot; George Rodger; Ed Routh.

Result: Hawks 0 – Stotfold 1