There are just 11 more league games for the Hawks and with them locked in a two horse race for the title here are the key stats behind the success.

Goal scorers:

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However it is not the amount, it is about the timing. Lee Molyneaux’s solitary goal was in the 96th minute to beat Worthing 3-2 at Westleigh Park in September. Two of Wes Fogden’s goals were to seal victory at Harlow and at home to Leatherhead.

Appearances:

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Rory Williams has been influencial for the Hawks this season, as well as stalwart Dan Strugnell passing the 200 game threshold.

 

I will be adding more stats in time for the Hawks V AFC Sudbury game on Saturday. These small stat packs I hope help all Hawks fans wanting the latest info.

 

 

Listen back to my commentary from Saturday at Enfield Town here:

 

The Hawks edge closer towards the summit of the Ryman Premier League following an impressive 4-1 victory at the Queen Elizebeth II stadium on International Women’s day. As a gesture, the club let all female supporters in for free. The Hawks gave a debut to new signing Jordan Rose as well as a start for Wes Fogden. Mike Carter was dropped to the bench.

 

The Hawks started the game with some aplong as after 4 minutes when Alfie Rutherford gains the ball from Jason Prior beating two players before sprinting to the penalty area where against Nathan McDonald in the Enfield goal went round him before Cooley slotting it into the back of the net, the start that the Hawks craved.

 

The game was barely ten minutes old when a corner whipped into the penalty area found Alfie Rutherford, but with two Enfield players in front of him he turned and found Theo Lewis on the edge of the ‘D’ where he took a first time shot which went just wide on the frame of goal. Alfie Rutherford, the influential 18 year old who was praised immensely amongst the Enfield supporters was before a quarter hour was being played broke down the wing and with just the ‘keeper to beat he tried to lob him but his effort went just wide.

 

Following a first 20 minutes of Hawks domination Enfield got back into the match and played the kind of Football that see them 7^th in the league. This was first shown when the Hawks defence were in 6’s and 7’s as series of shots were being put in the penalty area and as the ball was being pin balled Billy Crook then lead Ryan Young in making the first meaningful save of the game. Then a matter of moments later Parcell 25 yards from goal took a volley which forced Ryan Young into an impressive save.

 

Their hard work was rewarded when after the half hour mark Harry Ottaway went to ground following a Jordan Rose tackle and referee Wayne Cartmel pointed to the spot. Billy Crook stood up and slotted it as cool as a cucumber into the bottom left hand corner. A level game in what was a pulsating opening salvo of play.

 

Further enhancing their impressive period of play when Rory Williams lost possession to Muleba as he cuts inside, then shooting with a save from Young causing a corner. From that requisit corner, the ball goes to Ottaway who turns then takes a curling effort which is saved by Ryan Young. That the last key action in a pulsating half of football.

 

HALF TIME: ENFIELD TOWN (Ottaway ’31) 1-1 HAWKS (Rutherford ‘4)

 

Ahead of the start of the second half Lee Bradbury was forced to show his hand as Alfie Rutherford was replaced by Matt Paterson due to a “hamstring injury” as the 18 year old told us. But Matt Paterson would be a pivotal piece of the Hawks puzzle in the second half.

 

Early on in the second period the Hawks came out all firing as Wes Fogden took an early stab at goal but his effort was matched by that of McDonald in the Enfield goal. Then a matter of moments later the Hawks would go back in front for the second time as Matt Paterson picks up a loose ball which he crosses into the penalty where he finds his fellow strike partner Jason Prior who places it nicely into the onion bag and with that the Hawks back in front.

 

Then a matter of minutes later two became three as Jason Prior pick out Matt Paterson who them turned and found Wes Fogden who shoots and makes it 3-1 and with a finish which showed his former Football League class. From this point in the game started to lull, creating an atmosphere which felt like an acception of the games result.

 

With the game settling down Enfield Town elected to bring manager Brad Quinton on for the last 20 minutes of proceedings. A matter of minutes after that Percy Kiangbeni took a shot in the penalty area up against two hawks defenders but his effort hit the post. But the Hawks would grab a fourth and fatal goal as Matt Paterson is 1 on 1 down the left hand side when he cuts the ball inside and then puts past the keeper and the Hawks go 4-1 up.

 

The Hawks fans behind the goal in full voice enjoyed that and enjoyed the last 10 minutes of the encounter as the fourth goal was a condemnation of the result and the game was played in a friendly manner, with the Hawks’ incredible run continuing.

 

FULL TIME: ENFIELD TOWN 1-4 HAWKS

 

So the Hawks continued their assault towards the Ryman Premier League title, as well as a win, it helped boost their goal difference to the best in the division in what was a hegemonic performance, with the former being the Hawks fans word of the day. Those were also the words of the gaffer post match.

 

The manager said “I was really pleased with the second half, at 1-1 it could go either way but we spoke at half time, addressed a few things and the lads took it on board and they should take the credit for that. It’s hard work the way I wanted them to play today with high energy with us pressing high up the pitch and stopping them from playing and allowing us to win back the ball in the middle of our half on what was a difficult pitch. We did that and they carried out their instructions amazingly and that saw us score two goals very quickly and that was the turning point really. We knew it was going to be a tough game today, they have a good record and it was nice to get a win at a vital time.

 

The Hawks now have a weeks rest before facing AFC Sudbury at Westleigh Park as the games get bigger by the week.

 

Henry Deacon

 

Attendance: 519

 

Goalscorers:

 

Enfield town- Ottaway 31

HAWKS: Rutherford 4; Prior 49; Fogden 52; Paterson 80

 

 

Calls have been mounting about whether the Portsmouth Senior Cup finals location and whether it should be played at Fratton Park. Last season the showpiece of the PO postcode footballing scene saw the ground pulling out last minute due to Pompey’s exploits in the League 2 play-offs against Plymouth Argyle. Last month on the ‘over the white line’ programme on Express FM the Portsmouth FA said they were ‘hopeful’ of a Fratton Park final after ‘constructive talks’ in December. But the question remains, whether the Portsmouth Senior Cup final be played at Fratton Park?

Speaking to Lee Bradbury following Havant and Waterlooville’s semi-final win against AFC Portchester he said that “it should be, it’s the Portsmouth Cup and it would be great if it was played at Fratton Park because most of the lads are local and they would love to be able to play if they haven’t already and it would be great if they can (play the final at Fratton Park).” It is the third successive season in which Lee Bradbury has sent the Hawks into the Portsmouth Senior Cup final but the two finals previous have been played at Westleigh Park and AFC Portchester’s Wicor Recreational ground respectively.
A source has said that the final is to be played at Fratton Park this season in what may well be a future rotation basis for the location of the Portsmouth Senior Cup final.

Why Yes to the Fratton Final

Fans of Havant and Waterlooville FC have been getting involved via public forums about whether the final should take place at Fratton Park or not. In what is a rather mixed bag, the Hawks fans voted that the final should be played at the home of Portsmouth FC. First, it’s the fact that it is the Portsmouth Cup and that the cream has risen to the top of this competition and that fans feel they deserve the best stage as to which play the final on in the area for the biggest cup final in the area and would suffice as a good enough reward for teams who are successful in the competition at the end of a hard-fought season.

It also raises the profile of the competition. Having games at Fratton Park gages the eyes of social media and the papers and helps enhance the brand that is the Portsmouth Saturday Senior Cup. It would mean that in a season of possibly its greatest exposure through live draws on Express FM and decent listener figures on Hawks Radio commentary, as well as updates on club’s twitter feeds and Portsmouth News columns. The final would in effect guarantee Portsmouth News coverage as well as coverage via Hawks Radio (pending permission) to broadcast the final along with the rebranded ‘Over the White line’ programme giving the competition prominence over recent months and would entice a further 200/300 maybe even more to attend due to that factor, which in turn for the Portsmouth FA means they can bring in more revenue which helps themselves and the sides who take part in these competitions.

Leave Fratton alone

However, on the other side of the fence, fans that felt against playing the final made some rather intriguing and helpful pointers the other way. The most intriguing of which was the point that “the game will be lost at Fratton Park”. Which is a logical point, a ground which holds in capacity give or take 20,000 would only have the South Stand open for the occasion and would see a whole host of empty seats throughout, with the Hawks outnumbering whoever they play and even between the two of them are they going to fill under half of the stand. Whilst a game at Moneyfields or Westleigh Park would see “400/500 create a good atmosphere as well as creating a better atmosphere.” Which is another decision into the melting pot for the Portsmouth FA as they know that playing it at Fratton Park also creates an atmosphere that is intimidating on the other side of the ground being empty whereas the same number at the likes of any of the three sides left in the competition would create a good atmosphere.

Another point which was raised to me about playing the game away from Fratton Park is the fact that for the Portsmouth FA “it would be cheaper” to play the game away from the League 2 venue. A point which doesn’t resonate as highly in fans minds but those inside the process will be looking at heavily as the costs of Fratton Park will not be cheap, especially should the game come after a long season and a potential 30 games played on the surface, whilst Westleigh Park, Love Lane or Moneyfields would see similar crowd sizes however for a presumably smaller fee than those Portsmouth FC would charge and for the addition as said earlier of a more atmospheric venue.

In Conclusion

The last time in which the Portsmouth Senior Cup final was played at Fratton Park was in 2014 when Baffins Milton Rovers, then of the Hampshire Saturday Leagues faced Moneyfields with the former clinching their first major piece of silverware. For the Hawks and either Moneyfields or Petersfield who play in the second semi-final, the opportunity of the playing at the biggest stage in which this competition is played on would help aid the competition, not just in publicity but also in competitiveness. Whereas also we have the financial costs and whether empty seats at Fratton would be a key factor. We will soon find out the details about what happens regarding the final and will be intriguing to read the postcode in which we will be heading to for Portsmouth’s Footballing showpiece.

Henry Deacon

 

Havant and Waterlooville are looking to book their place into a third consecutive Portsmouth Senior Cup final on Valentines evening as newly-known Hawks bromance try and seal a date at what we now believe to be at Fratton Park in May.

Following the royal dethroning of Baffins Milton Rovers 9-0 in a repeat of the final in the last round, the Hawks will face stiff opposition in the shape and form of AFC Portchester, managed by ex Arsenal man Graham Rix. The former gunner will be gunning for the upset at Westleigh Park on Tuesday evening, especially knowing the fact that the senior sides in the area use the competition as an opportunity to use the expanding squads in which they bolster.

But Lee Bradbury has been defiant speaking to the press pre-match saying that he wants both the Portsmouth Senior Cup and the Ryman League trophy in his cabinet at the end of the season. He said that he will be ‘fielding a strong side and the lads that have been on the bench recently having the chance to play, the likes of James Hayter, Matty Paterson, George Barker, Wes Fogden all getting starts, it will give them the opportunity to show me why I should include them next Saturday.’

The use of this forever expansive squad will serve him well as the run in towards the finish in what is a compelling Ryman League title race will serve him good along with the competiveness in which AFC Portchester will provide, looking to gun for a final berth. But Lee Bradbury, as expected has this game somewhat on the backburner stating that ‘we really want to try and win this competition but mine and the clubs focus is on winning the league’.

Two teams at the top of their game and two managers that have experienced the highest Escalon’s of the game look to book a Fratton final against either Moneyfields or Petersfield Town who play their semi-final next Tuesday.

Henry Deacon

 

 

The HAWKS went to Essex on a cold and miserable afternoon on a mission to bolster their impressive away form and put a dent in Harlow’s league topping home form. Dan Strugnell returned to the starting XI after a few weeks put with injury.

 

The game started very cagey with very few chances of note throughout the opening exchanges. The Hawks had to make their opening sub after 28 minutes after Rory Williams pulled up after was we now know as a freak injury sustained by Ed Harris standing on his little toe and the whole nail coming off. He was replaced by Lee Molyneaux.

It was a game with physicality and middle of the pitch bite, which was mainly why chances were few and far between, but Harlow after the half hour had a great chance when the ball was placed into the penalty area but Jared Small could only put the opportunity across the face of goal. Then minutes later the Hawks had a decent opportunity of their own as the ball was crossed into the penalty area but Jason Prior’s effort went wide.

 

HALF-TIME: HARLOW TOWN 0-0 HAWKS

 

With the sheer amount of coffee being consumed at half-time in the main stand, they wanted to be warmed up in the second half. They got what their way as after a cagey opening period the Hawks of both sides gave us a fiery spectacle to witness.

 

With the game being fairly even the deadlock was broken by the Hawks 8 minutes into the second salvo as Theo Lewis gets the ball in the penalty area finding that extra yard over the Harlow defence before driving the ball home to give the Hawks of Havant the advantage.

This was the game changer as the goal changed the shape of what was prior, a fairly even contest. They started to assert their authority with dominant spells of possession at times shutting their opponents out of the encounter, However Harlow were not going to lie down to the onslaught in which Havant were providing, with Junior Dadson having a few half chances following balls being put into the penalty area.

The introductions of Wes Fogden and George Barker saw an injection of pace and the pair were thorns in Harlow’s side as they kept getting stuck into what was a very physical encounter. The two were to then combine for the second as Barker running down the wing had the ball deflected onto Wes Fogden who comfortably slots the ball into the net, cueing the celebrations with the small Hawks faithful who made the brave trip on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Fogden sealed the icing on the cake but as the fourth official added 5 minutes on in extra time they had a go but the closest they got was another Dadson half chance, with the whistle blown the Hawks recorded yet another impressive away win.

FULL TIME: HARLOW TOWN 0-2 HAWKS; Lewis ’53 Fogden ‘88

Next up for the Hawks is a Valentines Day PSC Semi final against AFC Portchester, why don’t you bring your loved one to Westleigh Park to see the Hawks bromance try and book a place into a potential Fratton Park finale.

Henry Deacon

Attendance: 216

As the season moves into February and for the Hawks only 17 games left to make it back where they deserve back into the Conference South, the home game against Billericay could probe pivotal as some fingers are starting to point to some pretty patchy home results. Since the turn of the year, the Hawks have only attained one victory from three and Lee Bradbury will be looking to put that record right against a Billericay side who are in transition.

Lee Bradbury when he spoke to me following the conclusion of another professional away performance against Folkestone Invicta sighted how “the home form hasn’t been good enough this year” and that it is an “opposite” to last season when the Hawks’ troubles had been on the road. He also knows how putting performances away from home knowing sides will want to pull of the shock will give them confidence to improve their home efforts which even still in the complexion of things is highly respectable.

The Hawks bolster the best away record in the Ryman and I’m sure Lee will be looking to draw from the likes of the performance against Folkestone Invicta last Saturday to try and fire his troops into battle on Saturday and get the side that step closer to the summit of the league title and the destiny that Hawks fans crave.

Team news wise, the Hawks squad have seemingly been getting over some illnesses and will for the first time in a number of weeks have a full squad to pick from, meaning that there could be potential starts for Dan Strugnell shall he be fit enough after coming of against Burgess Hill three weeks ago. Billericay have only two players that survived their last trip to Westleigh Park in the FA Trophy two months ago, however have been watched and no stone will be left unturned.

In further Hawks news, it has been announced on the Moneyfields twitter feed that young prospect Marley Ridge has joined them on loan for a period which is yet unknown. He did play one game and got man of the match in that game earlier on this season, before being forwarded on to AFC Totton, but being at Dave Carter’s high-flyers who look destined to tie up the league will only aid the young man’s experience in the game, especially the fact he will by plying his trade with the likes of Dan Wooden and Sam Pearce.

So then the Hawks will be looking to gain another three points from fort Westleigh this season and tickets are at their usual prices, so if you can, go down and see some quality Non-league football and “LET’S GET BEHIND THOSE HAWKS”.

Henry Deacon

HAVANT and Waterlooville defeated a spirited Folkestone Invicta side at the Fullicks Stadium in Kent as the race for promotion took another twist. It was a cold, damp, wet afternoon in the heart of Kent and after a long journey due to an accident on the M20, the Hawks arrived at their destination at 13:45.

Although during long traffic delays the Hawks were forced to park the bus, there was no such thing on the pitch as they came out fired up. Within the opening minute, Alfie Rutherford crossed the ball into Theo Lewis who put the ball into the back of the net, however Alfie Rutherford was deemed to have put the ball out of play before teeing up his teammate.

But that would not deter the Hawks from 3 point as just 5 minutes later Theo Lewis put the ball back in the net again, but this time it counted! As a free kick was put into the penalty area which was headed away from the Folkestone Invicta defence only as far as Lewis who slotted the ball comfortably into the bottom right hand corner for the second time this afternoon.

The Hawks would then dominate the half, with chance after chance, with that partnership of Rutherford and Lewis blossoming throughout and the consensus within the ground was that it would be a matter of when rather than if the Hawks would double their lead. The Hawks through a free kick by Brian Stock put the ball into the penalty area and there was a pinball with Woodford and Rutherford trying to get the ball past the Folkestone melee, but Folkestone got away with the score being just 1-0.

With half-hour on the clock and the news of Grays winning at Nyewood Lane, the hawks doubled their advantage as Theo Lewis down the right-hand side tees the ball into Alfie Rutherford and Rutherford from 8 yards out slotted home coolly to leave Invicta with a mountain to climb.

But Folkestone were determined to climb that mountain like Edmund Hillary ascended Everest, the 10 minutes that followed were even with play mainly centring around the middle. Then on 43 minutes, keeping to the Everest analogy were given a window of opportunity as they win a free kick following a foul by Hawks skipper Brian Stock. Then it was Sam Hasler who steps up from around 25 yards out and launches an unstoppable free kick right into the top left hand corner and like that the deficit was cut in half before the interval.

HALF-TIME: FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1-2 HAWKS

 

The Hawks came out for the second half looking to cement another three points in the race for promotion as the weather brought that extra bit of nip, but luckily for the Hawks fans they were housed undercover. They would be warmed up with the Hawks beginning where they left off dominating the game. However, the Hawks had a little worry within the first 5 minutes as Alfie Rutherford were forced to be replaced by Matt Paterson as a precaution.

The removal of one of the most influential players in the game saw no difference for the Hawks’ lion share in dominance, which saw the Hawks continually become a threat and increasingly so from set pieces. Many times Bradley Tarbuck would whip in a corner from the right hand side and continually the keeper or defence having to get it out there area or another goal seemed certain.

For the hard work of the ‘keeper Tim Roberts, the third goal for the Hawks was a moment which he would not like to look back at on tape as he comes up to get a ball, but Matt Paterson gets there before and with an open goal gaping he comfortably slotted it home to make the three points safer.

This was the moment where the three points were guaranteed as the rest of the encounter was played in a fashion in which saw an acceptance of the result. However, it did fire up in the final moments as in the Folkestone penalty area the two sides squared up to each other following an aerial battle.

FULL-TIME: FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1-3 HAWKS

So, then the Hawks defeated Folkestone with what was a very professional performance from start to finish and if the result itself was impressive then the results from the other sides were also helpful to the Hawks’ cause with Bognor being shocked by Grays and Leiston drawing. The results leave the Hawks third but with games in hand on the top two which if won would see them go to the league summit.

Next game: Billericay (H); 4 Feb 15:00

Attendance: 415

Henry Deacon

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor the greatest Darts player of all time has called time on his illustrious career after the end of the 2017 season. Taylor has won the World Championship on an unprecedented 16 occasions, as well as winning other prestigious titles such as the World Matchplay on no less than 15 occasions. However he did not rule out a guest appearance in the PDC Premier League.

In an interview he said that “This year is my final year on tour, the World Championship is it, I’m excited, I can’t wait to be totally honest”. “I want to spend time with my family and I don’t have the drive anymore.”

Humble Beginnings

Taylor before becoming the multi-millionaire sporting super star in which he is now started out with humble beginnings, holding out two jobs at the same time which included making parts for toilets. Taylor was spotted by 5-time BDO World Champion Eric Bristow and was given a loan of £15,000 to help him on his way to make a career in the sport. The intention for Bristow was to see “if I could create another World Champion.” And ‘the crafty cockney’ didn’t half, Phil’s first title came all the way back in 1988 when the Power won the Canadian Open championships with the winnings from that event given back to Bristow as condition of the loan. His success saw him qualify for the 1990 World Championships at the Lakeside where he made it all the way to the final where he faced his mentor Bristow, of which he beat to win his first World crown.

 

The split in Darts

When Taylor doubled up his World title tally in 1992, the sport was at a point of tension. The sports image around the drinking of alcohol saw only the World Championships televised by the BBC. The players were not happy that the BDO were not trying hard enough to gain more TV tournaments. The players asked about whether thery would sanction events that the players would run, which was dually denied. After a few regional TV tournaments, 16 of the top players at the time were banned and started the World Darts Council which later became the PDC.

Taylor would make the first World final under the new organisation, but would be humbled by Dennis ‘the Menace’ Priestly. The next year would see the Power embark on a historic run of 8 consecutive World titles by defeating Rod Harrington in the final. He didn’t from 1995 lose a game at the World Championships until the 2003 final when Canadian John Part defeated Taylor in a last set epic.

9-Darters

Everybody will remember John Lowe’s 9 darter in 1984, an image which has become so synonymous with the sport. However that was hit on tape-delay via World of Sport. However with Sky, all games were televised live and despite players getting close to the feat, it was finally done by Phil in the 2002 World Matchplay. Up against Chris Mason, he hit it in leg 5 with Sid Waddell and Dave Lanning producing a commentary masterpiece. Sid Waddell started by saying”double 12 for history… history… He did the 9 dart, £100,000″ Lanning then said “A moment of the greatest sporting history… the first live 9 dart finish”.  All the components of that moment makes the history of it more spine-tingling.

Then in the final of the Premier League 2010, the Power did something that no man had done before or since, hit two 9-dart finishes in the same match against James Wade. He started the feat in leg two by hitting a 141 outshot, before nailing it again by hitting double 18 to send Wembley Arena into frenzy. To make it even more surreal he missed a double to make it a third 9-darter of the game. However, he only won that encounter by those two magical legs 10-8.

Losing the number 1 spot

Following his shock defeat to Michael Smith in the 2014 World Championships and Michael van Gerwen winning the tournament, he lost the number 1 slot to ‘MVG’. From there he hit tough patches, losing 7-0 to MVG and avoiding relegation on judgement night in 2014. He bounced back to win the World Matchplay and Grand Slam and a final in the World Championships, but that seemed to be a Taylor swansong. For the first time in his career he failed to qualify for Premier League finals night in 2015 and with early exits in tournaments saw the Power written of by many. And with his World Ranking at 6, the power will leave the sport in 2017 not at his peak, but to still an exceptional level.

Henry Deacon