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Sawbridgeworth U9 v Hitchin Hawks U9

Saturday, March 8 2008

It was a trek across the county this week to Sawbridgeworth, however the early start meant an easy journey to the fixture and all arrived well and on time. Excellent hospitality from the hosts with sandwiches available for the boys in the club house after the game.

From the kickoff Sawbridgeworth applied some early pressure with excellent passing being the order of the day. A cynical tackle on George R resulted in an early management reshuffle. Sawbridgeworth had a long shot requiring a finger tip save from Ally. Sawbridgeworth continued to dominate with an excellent power shot from the right wing across the goal mouth which was just wide of the left post. Another shot quickly followed which sailed over the bar helped by the blustery conditions.

The Hawks eventually settled down and having avoided conceding a goal under the early pressure did some attacking of their own. A push forward from Ben to Tyler to Juan finally found George R who was unable to finish it off. Some very strong play from Ben on the left wing allowed the Hawks chance to get back into the game. The match ball having been inflated to what seemed like 50 PSI was bouncing around like a very bouncy thing such that a simple pass would bounce over the receiving players head.

Just before half time Sawbridgeworth had their final attack of the half which saw an excellent square cross picked up and the resulting shot went just over the bar.

Having weathered the storm that was the first half the Hawks came out fighting in the second half. Some excellent linking play between Tyler and Ben created a few chances and put Sawbridgeworth on the back foot. A Handball by Sawbridgeworth gave Ben a free kick opportunity in front of the goal; unfortunately his shot was just over the bar. As the Hawks continued to apply pressure a power shot from Tyler was initially saved by the keeper, but the ball spun backwards awkwardly into the net [1-0].

Sawbridgeworth did not sit back however and continued to battle on with a shot that went just wide of the right post. They also had a free kick on the edge of the box which they initially dummied then the shot ricocheted off the Hawks wall and was cleared. Sawbridgeworth came back once again and from a corner had a good opportunity but the shot was just over the bar.

The Hawks once again took the game by the scruff of the neck starting with a quick run down the right wing from Ben followed by an accurate pass forward to George F. George made an excellent turn to get in a clean shot that was deflected by the keeper and finished off by Tyler to make it [2-0]. 

The hawks were denied what appeared to be a corner that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The resulting throw from Tyler was pinpoint accurate straight to Ben in the middle of the pitch whose power shot went straight in the back of the net [3-0].

As the clock ran down the Hawks continued to dominate with most of the possession, George F had a shot wide of the left post, a Tyler corner gave Juan a chance with the ball nearly going through the keepers legs. Finally it was Ben on the edge of the box with a shot that sailed into the top right corner of the net to make it [4-0].

This was an excellent solid performance from the Hawks which certainly answered the critic’s doubts about their previous performances in their recent games. They played for the full 40 minutes and looked determined and focused throughout. Well done.

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

Result: Sawbridgeworth 0  Hawks 4