- Martyn White: Rory Williams in action
HAWKS 0-1 Moneyfields; full match report
Moneyfields left Westleigh Park stunned claiming a 1-0 victory and a scalp that will fill them with brimming optimism ahead of their first season in the Southern Football League. The Money’s would bring former Hawks Brett Poate and Sam Pearce with Hawks loanee Marley Ridge in their starting line-up. New signing Theo Widdrington also featured for Lee Bradbury’s side from the get-go.
The Hawks would have the better of the opening chances in the first quarter-hour of the game as first off Rory Williams would play the ball into Jason Prior and when in the penalty area the first touch would prove too heavy. Within the space of a minute later Andreas Robinson played a diagonal ball into Theo Lewis who plays the ball along to Jason Prior but his effort would find itself going wide.
As the half grew and the rain at a wet and grey skied Westleigh Park the Hawks would give Moneyfields more scares in the penalty area as after 20 minutes of the tie the ball would move forward, reaching Theo Lewis whose effort goes wide of the mark. But a matter of minutes later Andreas Robinson who was the standout Hawks player in the first half played the ball out to Wes Fogden who then played the ball across the penalty area into Jason Prior with his initial effort saved on the line by the impressive Moneyfields ‘keeper Mowthorpe and then with Prior trying to unleash a second effort Curtis de Costa would get the ball away for Moneyfields.
Then after 35 minutes Westleigh Park almost saw a moment that only David Beckham could replicate as former Hawk Sam Pearce on his former ground from 55 yards out saw Ryan Young off his line and decided to unbridle an audacious attempt on goal with Young ensuring the effort stayed clear from the back of the net.
Before the half was out the Hawks were looking once more to break the deadlock Theo Lewis played the ball into Matt Tubbs but once more Mowthorpe would be the Money’s hero.
HALF-TIME: HAWKS 0-0 MONEYFIELDS
The second half would begin amidst another hurling shower with the rain becoming heavier as the second half went on the patters becoming thuds on the roof of the main stand at Westleigh Park.
It was a quiet opening to the period as well as both sides were seemingly sparring with each other out but after 5 minutes of feeding each other the Hawks would have the opening opportunity of the second half as the ball is placed into Matt Tubbs but his effort would go over the bar.
But it would be the visitors who would have the next best chance as on loan Hawk Marley Ridge would play the ball into Ryan Pennery with the former Baffins Milton Rovers man turned but his shot would go wide of the mark.
But it wouldn’t take long before the Hawks would have another opportunity as Andreas Robinson’s ball is deflected and by luck would find Theo Lewis, Lewis in front of goal on the edge of the penalty area gave it a go but the best he could do is fire wide. Moments later the Hawks would be in again as Rory Williams played the ball across the penalty area to Theo Lewis but the shot saved once more by Mowthorpe. The former Chelsea scholar coming close twice in quick succession.
65 minutes in the deadlock would be broken with Westleigh Park reduced to near silence as a slip by the Hawks defence would let Ryan Pennery in and with the goal gaping at his mercy he would slot the ball into the right hand corner to give Moneyfields a shock lead at Westleigh Park with the ground being stunned and realising that a shock maybe in the making on a wet afternoon.
The introduction of Brian Stock following the Moneyfields goal would give the Hawks the reigniting in which they needed in the search of an equaliser. After 5 minutes on the field of play he found himself 30 yards out, in plenty of space and the goal at his mercy, decided to take a shot in which only the slightest of deflections from the Moneyfields defence would stop from going in the back of the net. Then moments later he would have a second effort blocked by the automatic thinking of Jamie Ford.
But following the goal, it would be the lighting of the Money’s blue touch paper as they grew in confidence as the final stages grew nearer and nearer, giving them the opportunity to pull of the tremoring shock. But before time was up the Hawks would have one more effort on goal as Alfie Rutherford darted from the half way line into the penalty area and despite having options in the area felt he earnt the right to shoot and when the opportunity arose he would only find his effort blocked by the Moneyfields defence.
FULL-TIME: HAWKS 0-1 MONEYFIELDS
Next up for the Hawks is the opening game of the Vanarama National League South season as they face a trip to Chippenham Town who ran out winners themselves of the Southern Premier League. But the Hawks will be looking to spoil their party as the return to the sixth tier for what will busy business as usual.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 