The Hawks’ trip to the Cotswolds saw them nick a 92nd Minute winner against a spirited Cirencester Town at the Corinium Stadium on a grey and overcast afternoon. Lee Bradbury rewarded Charlie Searle for his loyalty to the club by giving him his first competitive start of the season. Andreas Robinson came in for the injured Theo Lewis and there was also starts for Alfie Rutherford and James Hayter.

 

The hosts showed some real grit right from the get go and gave the Hawks some real warning signals with two chances early on in the piece. Their best chance of the first half came after the half hour mark when they had a shot which only the post would deny to make it 1-0. Then within a minute Alfie Rutherford showed his goal poaching pedigree to give the visitors a 1-0 lead following being teed up by James Hayter.

 

This was just what the doctor ordered for the Hawks and then started to assert their authority on the match restricting the hosts to a couple of half chances before the break. The start to the second half was very much the same, it seemed as if it was a case of when the Hawks were going to get a second. But Cirencester showed true grit and the side from the Cotswolds equalised just before the 70th Minute. The tie threw right open.

 

The game went to 90 minutes and on Hawks Radio I say ‘it looks like a replay on Tuesday as it stands’. Then just a matter of minutes later Rory Williams is over a free kick for the Hawks, he whips the ball in and it finds Jason Prior and the super sub wins it for the Hawks and another case of cure of the commentator.

 

It was a tough battle but the Hawks made their way into the second round of the Buildbase FA Trophy and a home date with Billericay Town on November 12th. In a competition where the Hawks have made two semi’s, let’s hope it is just one step closer to Wembley way!!

 

Henry Deacon

 

 

 

So the 2016 European Darts Championships is almost upon us and every dart is live on ITV 4. The tournament has gone through some wholesale changes this year, a bigger prize pool and the qualifying places determined on the PDC European Tour Order of merit, meaning that only money won the internet streamed events contributes towards qualification.

This has led to some big names missing out on the £100,000 top prize on offer in Hasselt. Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld have failed to qualify for the tournament after not competing in a large number of these European tour events, opting instead to play on the exhibition circuit.

People have been saying that this means that the system determining places for the competition is poor and weakens the tournament. I say “nonsense”, the players knew when they didn’t play in these events that they’re jeopardising their chances in playing in this tournament. ‘Barney’ panicked and played in one event, making a semi-final and thought that it was see him through. That negligence sees him missing out on his first PDC major since 2006.

Adrian Lewis, a man who won this tournament in 2013 and been a finalist twice prior, his absence is even more baffling considering the fact as World Number 3 and an increasing prize pool, a good tournament for either Phil Taylor, Peter Wright or both could see ‘Ade’ fall down the rankings. What Adrian also forgets is Phil is only defending a second round loss in this tournament meaning that he is more than likely going to gain money and makes his chances of catapulting up the rankings again a boost.

But for those who have missed out, it is a chance for those players who play in every tournament and having to pay out as much as they can afford to play in these tournament, the numerous sacrifices are paid dividence. One example is that of Devon Petersen, who has moved from his family in South Africa and risking everything to play on the PDC Pro tour week in, week out, his hardwork has paid off. He played in every European tour event this year and by doing this and picking the odd result here and there saw the ‘Spartan’ qualify for the tournament and will play Mervyn King in the first round on Friday.

 

So you can watch the European Darts Championships on ITV 4 this weekend from Hasselt, Belgium.

Bradley Tarbuck has joined Weymouth on a months loan. The 20 year old who joined the club in the Summer from Dorchester Town has been on the bench for most of the season so far. The winger is a promising player who still under 21 has a bright future in the game having been on the books at Portsmouth for nearly 3 years.

Bradley has joined the club ahead of their Evo Stik premier match away at former Conference national outfit Kettering Town. With more leagues clashes and the team in Dorset Senior Cup action, Bradley should be able to gain the minutes that he craves ahead of his return to the club next month.

All at the club would like to wish him all the best at Weymouth.

Henry Deacon

 

 

Young HAWKS star Marley Ridge has rejoined Winchester City on a one month loan. Marley was at Winchester City at the start of the season on loan until Lee Bradbury recalled him as cover following the head injury sustained to Brian Stock against Folkestone Invicta on August 20.

 

He rejoined the squad in time for the away game against the Met Police on August 23 and since rejoining the Hawks squad has impressed when on the field.

 

The purpose of the loan is for Marley to gain some minutes and get some more matches into one of the hawks’ hottest young prospects.

 

The club wish Marley all the best at Winchester.

 

Henry Deacon

 

 

 

Following the World Grand Prix in Dublin last weekend, TV pundit Wayne Mardle came up with the point that some rankings in the PDC Order of Merit tell a lie. So this gave me the idea, does the rankings tell a lie?

 

Well, the first reason to suggest this is the fact that Robert Thornton, a man who by his own admission is out of form is ranked 7^th in the PDC Order of Merit. This is mainly due to his success at the 2015 World Grand Prix, but accept from that, he hasn’t been performing at the big televised majors for the last 18 months. This means that, should he not win the ‘WGP’ in 2017 and his form stays the same, he could drop like a stone in the rankings.

 

A player who is probably by the rankings underestimated is Benito van de Pas, should the rankings be like that of the BDO, he would be solidly into the top 10 in the World, instead of his position of 15. His example shows as well how the PDC Order of Merit doesn’t recognise the players who are, like Benito, consistent on the Pro Tours, don’t go as high up in the rankings as they deserve.

 

I think that the money list, order of merit that they do have in the PDC, over reward those who do well in the World Championships and Matchplay. This is shown by the example of Raymond van Barneveld at this year’s PDC Ally Pally event, when after having a year where he had a lot of first round TV exits and slipping towards 16^th/17^th in the World rankings, he makes the semi-finals and climbs up to 9^th in the OOM.

 

So, would a BDO system for the PDC, which they used prior to 2007 work? In my opinion, yes. In the BDO the rankings show consistency, which unlike the PDC system, gives those players who are not the highest profile but are consistent a chance to play in the big tournaments such as Lakeside. It has worked before for the PDC and meant that Alan Warriner and Colin Lloyd, players consistent on all forms where rewarded.

 

But all in all, I’m not doing the great job that Barry Hearn is doing, pumping £10 million plus into a game that is growing and getting more global than ever before.

 

Henry Deacon

 

For everyone involved at the club, from the players, management, fans and of course Kitmen, this is a game they have had pencilled in since the draw was made. For the Hawks a game against Ebbsfleet is a tough game, but is a game that is winnable.

Speaking to hawks TV in midweek Lee Bradbury stated about the tie with a little smile that “it’ll be tough, but Ebbsfleet are expected to win”. On the fact that there is a league difference he said that “we’re a league below, but at this moment in time we are a team with a lot of confidence and don’t know when their beat, which is dangerous.”

The team will want to show what they are made off against a top Conference South tomorrow and will give them a real good yard marker towards their progression. They will know as well of recent times are a team are a team that can blow hot and cold. So catch them on a cold day then the chance of a FA Cup shock is realistic.

The squad had a training session on Thursday night where Lee said they would “look on some shape”. Lee also said that in that session “he would take it easy” following two intensive matches in a matter of three days.

THE OPPOSITION:

Ebbsfleet manager has said on their club website that the game against the Hawks will be a ‘tough obstacle’. He said that securing the services of Lee Bradbury ‘was a good decision’ and said that ‘He’s a good manager and a very good side’. In other news Jordan Parkes has left the club by mutual consent and has moved back to his former club Hemel Hempstead.

 

TICKETS AND MEDIA COVERAGE:

Tickets for the game is £12, an all pay gate game, with concessions being priced at £1. The game will be covered by Henry Deacon for the website and will have live coverage pending permission from Ebbsfleet on Hawks Radio from 14:45. http://mixlr.com/hawks-radio–2/

 

Henry Deacon

 

 

The term ‘a game that had everything’ is sometimes overused in Football, however this game was a fine exception, a game that has everyone in attendance talking.

The first goal for Worthing is one which will be obtained for the Christmas DVD as the ball ricoshades into the back of the net after a clearance, the goal was given to Omar Bugiel who was as stunned as everyone else in the ground as it came the shinpads.

Then the Hawks had despite Worthing leading, the best attacking chance of the game. When Ben Swallow whipped in a free kick towards the head of Theo Lewis who headed the ball with the last touch coming from a Worthing defender, a touch deemed by Lewis to be by a hand but the referee saw otherwise and signalled for a corner ball. Then Worthing took control of the game after the quarter hour mark when Bugiel caused the Hawks defence a whole host of problems with chances on goal from distance in which Ryan Young came up trumps.

Then on the half hour the Hawks had a chance to equalise when Swallow crossed the ball in meeting Matt Paterson, but the best that ‘Pato’ could do is header the ball wide.

Then on 32 minutes Worthing saw themselves two to the good when an excellent free kick from Lloyd Dawes from 25 yards out stunned Westleigh Park and saw Worthing into dream land.

HALF TIME: HAWKS 0-2 WORTHING

The second half saw a complete turn of the table as within 90 seconds of kick off a short corner by Ben Swallow to Rory Williams was put into the area towards Jason Prior and a man with his kind of goal scoring pedigree you can’t keep quiet as he headers the ball into the back of the net.

Then around ten minutes into the second period Swallow teed up George Barker whose bullet header went just wide on goal. Then Worthing a volley by Henry Watson which Ryan Young parries then a second shot comes in and goes over.

Then parity is restored bang on the hour when a ball from Paterson is whipped in and it meets Barker who slots is into the bottom right hand corner and level it is. This started a flurry of chances for the Hawks afterwards, however Lee Molyneaux on 67 minutes stopped Bugiel getting in to make it 3-2.

But that seemed to be an anomalous chance for Worthing in a second half in which the Hawks dominated and this was showed again by more constant pressure in their box culminating in a shot by Rory Williams saved by Rikki Banks.

Then Williams in the 89th Minute gives away a free kick in a promising position, fans thought that it was heart in your mouth time, well hindsight is a good thing, after the Hawks defended the free kick well, it all happened in front of our eyes. The second minute of stoppage time saw a melee in the Worthing box which saw Corey Heath sent off in controversial circumstances.

That was the hors d’oeuvre of drama as then the ball in the final minute of stoppage time was pin balling in the Hawks penalty area and after shots by Paterson and Rutherford, Lee Molyneaux saw his effort hit the back of the next and send the Hawks fans into ecstasy. Still the drama wasn’t over as straight from the kick off the ball is given to Newton and before anyone knew he was in on goal and thankfully for the Hawks his effort strayed wide.

FULL TIME: HAWKS 3-2 WORTHING

On the whole a thoroughly enjoyable game which saw the Hawks come up with three points. The Hawks Man of the Match was Lee Molyneaux and all things look up ahead of the big FA Cup tie against Ebbsfleet United.

Henry Deacon

THE GAME WILL BE LIVE ON HAWKS RADIO FROM 14:45

 

For the Hawks it has been a near perfect start, five wins in the opening six for Lee Bradbury’s men see them lie in third ahead of the game against Canvey Island.

Canvey Island will come as a threat, a team that doesn’t know when they’re beaten, this shown most prominently during Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Needham Market. They showed steely resolve as they twice came from behind away from home to draw a thriller.

The Hawks will know from previous experience that Canvey Island posses a tough opponent, as they took the Hawks to a replay in the final qualifying round in the great cup run of 2014. But the Hawks have kept three consecutive clean sheets and will be brimming with confidence ahead of the game.

If you can, try and get down to Westleigh Park and ‘LET’S GET BEHIND THOSE HAWKS.’

With the first team through to face Highworth Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round, it is time for our youth side to kick off their own cup adventure at Westleigh Park on Thursday Night in the Youth Cup.

 

Manager Sam Game over the last period of 6 weeks has put his young guns through their paces ahead of the tie against AFC Stoneham and this has paid dividends as his side are performing well ahead of their red carpet occasion.

 

They are also boasting a new squad to that who played in the competition last season, only two from the run last year are still eligible to play with the rest moving up to the Under 19 academy league. So a chance for some new faces to shine on the big stage.

 

Their opponents AFC Stoneham are, as far as their men’s team is concerned a Wessex League division 1 outfit, however will want to win the tie at Westleigh Park.

 

Tickets for the Preliminary round clash are as follows: £5 Adults, £3 Concessions, £1 Students (with valid NUS card).

 

‘LET’S GET BEHIND THOSE YOUNG HAWKS’.

 

The season has now truly and properly taking shape for Lee Bradbury’s men. Following the opening day defeat to Leiston they did eventually arrest their recent poor away form with a hard fought 2-1 win over the Met. Police on Tuesday night at Imber Lane.

But this is a different kettle of fish, Lowestoft have had a content start and will come to Westleigh Park on Saturday sensing blood. Lee Bradbury admitted post match that he was “disappointed with the first half” and that with ten minutes to go Tuesday’s game could “have gone either way”.

Lee did say that pre-match his squad with the exception of Wes Fogden who came of with a hamstring injury in the first half Tuesday are fit and sees George Barker in line for a first league start of the season. He did say to me on Tuesday night that he expects “a tough test” and expects them to be “up there” at the end of the campaign.

BY Henry Deacon

27/816 01:37