Long trip worthwhile as Hawks pick up all three points as race for promotion hots up.
Havant and Waterlooville have strengthened their claim to be one of the key contenders for this seasons Ryman Premier League title following a 2-0 win at Lowestoft Town.
The Hawks made the long trip following a barren run of 1 win in four matches, but Lee Bradbury’s men were wanting to put that to bed and that showed from minute one to ninety and from one to eleven. It started with the Hawks having the upper hand in the game, having a number of attempts in the opening exchanges, the best of which came from Matt Paterson who’s shot which looked like going in only hit the side netting.
However, if it wasn’t for the stubborn Jake Jessop in the Lowestoft Town goal the Hawks could have been out of sight. He was frustrating the Hawks as he was making save after save from shots, especially when the ball was being pin balling into the penalty area as it was on many occasions.
Him and influential centre back Harry Barker could only keep the Hawks at bay until the 27th Minute when Bradley Tarbuck crossed into the penalty area for a Alfie Rutherford shot which was blocked only as far as Theo Lewis who then turned and took a shot from 20 yards out which rippled the back of the net. Nothing less than the Hawks deserved for the opening half hour of dominance.
Lowestoft were not lying down and were not giving up without a fight and was making sure that Lee Bradbury’s side had to force their way up front with Ed Harris and Brian Stock being influential in the middle of the park with balls being put to Rory Williams and Bradley Tarbuck who from there were supplying into the penalty area where either Rutherford or Paterson were being a nuiscence, but it would be Harry Barker and Adam Smith who would stop the pair adding to the Hawks account in the first half.
HALF TIME: LOWESTOFT TOWN 0-1 HAWKS (Lewis 27’)
The Second half saw the 40 strong Hawks contingent who made the trip from as far as South Korea to make the trip get into the dry of the shed end for the second half in a wet and mild Suffolk afternoon. They were also to be warmed up with some more quality Football by both teams as Lowestoft Town came out the traps for the second half much better than they did for the first period and gave the Hawks a few questions to answer which was answered impressively by the Hawks, with Ed Harris being influential throughout the half.
It is a mark of a good side that when a team starts growing in confidence to shut it down in a single attack as they did to gain their second goal of the afternoon as Alfie Rutherford gets the better of Jake Jessop going past the shot stopper shoots but the original effort hits the post but then taps the ball into the net to double the Hawks advantage and in celebration shaking hands with the Hawks fans to show his appreciation of their long travels.
This seemed to take the wind out of Lowestoft’ sails, but in testament to them they didn’t give up but it was a strong 3 man Hawks backline that kept them at bay. In the closing exchanges, Lee made his first and only sub of the game as Wes Fogden got some more game time under his belt replacing Alfie Rutherford who got an astounding reception by the Hawks faithful.
The Hawks had a few more chances towards the end including a free kick in the 87th minute by Bradley Tarbuck into the penalty area but nothing came from it and the Hawks grabbed all three points and as the faithful sang the club anthem ‘Under the Moon of Love’ the players and management alike applauded the fans who made the long trek.
FULL TIME: LOWESTOFT TOWN 0-2 HAWKS (Lewis 27’; Rutherford 63’)
Post match Lee Bradbury said that he was pleased with what was a “professional performance from one to eleven” and said a massive “thank you to all the Hawks fans who travelled a long way to get behind the side”.
The result sees the Hawks stay third in the Ryman Premier League following 2-1 wins for Needham Market and Bognor with the latter winning by a stoppage time penalty and with Leiston winning 6-0 it is still all to play for at the top. Next up is Burgess Hill next Saturday at Westleigh Park.
Henry Deacon 2017
Henry Deacon Media 