Ecstasy for Havant & Horndean but misery piles on for Gosport & Petersfield:

It has been another blockbuster weekend in the Local Footballing scene with a double header of fixtures for our local sides. For the Hawks, Bognor, Gosport and Money’s they faced the dreaded Saturday/Monday double header whilst the sides in the Wessex League played on Tuesday Night.

Havant & Waterlooville 4-0 Whitehawk:

For Havant and Waterlooville they have enjoyed a fabulous start to life back in the Vanarama National League South. Following a tough month of fixtures they lie in 4th with 14 points in the kitty.

But yesterday they faced Whitehawk a side who have endured a fruitless start to their league season and it would get no better against the Westleigh Park based side. The Hawks would show professionalism throughout with manager Lee Bradbury’s last words being “it’s not a formality”. And although the game was not a formality the professional manner in which the Hawks displayed especially throughout the first half of the encounter did make it seem so.

They would get of to a blistering start Jason Prior getting on the scoresheet after just 8 minutes. It would be followed up by Alfie Rutherford’s strike which would be the 19 year old’s first goal in the National League South. When Andreas Robinson was bought to ground to ground, Jason Prior stepped up to score his 2nd and the Hawks’ 3rd.

The Hawks were at this point toying with the visitors with the only disappointment was that it was not more than the final score. But another thing that would impress Lee Bradbury was the fact that substitute George Barker would get on the scoresheet with a peach within 60 seconds of coming on.

Next up is an away trip to Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday. A game I’m in the commentary box for.

 

Bognor Regis Town 0-1 Eastbourne Borough

The big headline before kick-off at Nyewood Lane on Saturday would be the return of former boss Jamie Howell who lead the rocks to a play-off promotion last term before leaving in when he said to me “when the time was right.”

A warm reception would great him before kick-off but that would not last long as Kane Wills’ strike after 72 minute would be enough to earn the Sports all 3 points. But it would be the icing of what was a poor Bank Holiday weekend with a 0 points return sliding them down to 10th spot in the National League South table following what was a very promising start to life in the 6th tier.

But if anything was shown last season it was their bounce-back ability and that will be put to the test as they face league leaders Chelmsford City away in Essex on Saturday Afternoon being a stiff test for the Rocks’ National South potential.

 

Gosport Borough 0-8 Basingstoke

When you think it couldn’t get any worse for Gosport Borough it somehow does as they faced yet another embarrassing defeat at Privett Park against local rivals Basingstoke Town. It would leave Gosport bottom of the table with a goal difference at the end of August of -17.

And it would not be the case either that they would have a period to settle in as the Camrose side would get their first goal after just 2 minutes. The Boro would concede two more to go into the half-time interval 3 down.

And it would get no better after that period as they leak in another 5 goals to pour on the misery for Alex Pike’s side. And you just hope for the fans that the situation sorts itself out. The change of board is slowly restoring trust with the supporters and are the last hope that Gosport have. In the words of their former assistant manager Shaun Wilkinson “if anyone’s going to be successful it will be them.”

 

Fleet Town 1-4 Moneyfields

There has been no such thing as adjusting to life in the Southern League for Moneyfields as they enjoyed a fantastic 4-1 win over Fleet Town away from home.

After falling behind on 16 minutes they would only be behind for a matter of a minute as Ryan Pennery continued his scintillating start to the season to level the scores. Then a matter of moments later Money’s would go in-front as Bailey from 20 yards out smashed the ball past the Fleet goalkeeper to turn the tables in that match. Despite pushing and pushing for a third, it would stay at two at the interval.

After pressing at the start of the second period they would get their third as veteran Brett Poate’s free kick from 20 yards out which the goalkeeper has no chance of reaching. But they would still not be content with the score being 3-1 as they once more kept pressing and pressing for a fourth and they would get it right at the very death when Billy Connor chipped the onrushing goalkeeper to put the gloss on an impressive afternoon for the Money’s.

It would leave them 2nd in the table with only goal difference separating them from the top spot in the league. For them next up is Cinderford Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

 

Wessex League round-up:

The misery pilled on for Petersfield Town tonight as they lost 7-0 at home to Arlesford Town with that scoreline representing only half of the story. They would go into the half time interval 6-0 down. But credit where credits due as they dug in during the second half ensuring only 1 goal was shipped in following a fruitless first half display.

In the Portsmouth derby at the Kendall Stadium Horndean thrashed high-flying Baffins Milton Rovers 5-1. Horndean who bolster a highly impressive squad and those at Michael Birmingham’s dispersal fired on all cylinders tonight. Following a first after 5 minutes a matter of seconds later they would double their advantage through a well taken Jackson effort. Before half-time they would make it three as Miles Everett put the ball into the box with his effort headed home by Jackson once more.

The second half would see the deans press home their advantage but it would take until 20 minutes from time for the fourth as Jack Maloney ball which was meant for Jackson went into the back of the net to make it 4. Baffins would pull one back as the ball goes into the Rovers box with them slotting the ball home. But Horndean would make it 5 when Miles Everett scored his brace.

 

Overall:

Life in the local scene is a true rollercoaster at the moment. The Hawks and Moneyfields loving life and thriving after recent promotion. Gosport and Petersfield will once more be looking for the recipe for success as they face further problems with Baffins looking to dust themselves down and show the result tonight was a blip as Horndean look to progress in the Wessex Prem.

 

 

Henry Deacon

Hawks enter Bostik youth league for the first time!

The Hawks academy usher in a new era tomorrow night as they kick off in their first ever campaign in the Southwick Sports Youth League, a youth league run by the Bostik League.

Sam Game’s side will play their home matches at Westleigh Park giving his side the opportunity to perform in front of a Westleigh Park crowd with the added pressure tomorrow night of the cameras and live radio commentary of the encounter.

And it will be the latter that youth gaffer Sam Game will be looking to see if they can handle. The game tomorrow night will be given near on the same treatment as that of a first team fixture and although FA Youth Cup matches come and go, it will be a first for his players to play in the pressure cooker week in and out.

Their opponents tomorrow evening is Burgess Hill Town with the game kicking off at 19:30. Tickets are £4 Adults with tickets priced at £2 for concessions and Hawks season ticket holders. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Henry Deacon

Havant and Waterlooville have extended their unbeaten start to their Vanarama National League South season after a 1-0 win over Wealdstone in a game which provided non-stop entertainment. Pre-match manager Lee Bradbury made one change to the side which drew a blank against Dartford 48 hours prior as Matt Tubbs would give way for 19-year old Alfie Rutherford to return to the starting lineup.

The game would get off to a tentative start before the true ignition of the blue touch paper. It would be Wealdstone who would have the first chance of the game 8 minutes in as striker Elliot Benyon’s curling 25 years effort blazed over the crossbar. Within a matter of minutes the Hawks came close with an effort of their own as from a corner the ball would find Mike Carter who’s headed effort goes just over the bar.

It would take another quarter of an hour before the next Hawks opportunity came knocking as Alfie Rutherford’s quick throw found Mike Carter and the former Gosport man attempted the bicycle kick with his audacious effort going over.

But 8 minutes before half time the Hawks would break the deadlock after a free kick being awarded to the Hawks which resulted in Daniel Green going in the book. From that free kick around 30 yards from goal Theo Widdrington crossed in a peach of a ball screaming for a Hawks head and it would find the head of Theo Lewis who would rise like a salmon and head the ball in the centre of the onion bag for his 17th goal for the club. The Hawks fans, which numbered around 70 would erupt behind the goal as they took a 1-0 lead.

Almost straight from the kick-off though the Hawks were looking to double that advantage as Rory Williams’ effort would go just over. And in first half stoppage time Wealdstone would also have an effort on goal as the ball found Daniel Fitchett but his effort matched by Ryan Young in the Hawks goal.

HALF-TIME: Wealdstone 0-1 HAWKS

For all of the 922 in attendance the admission money was worth it as they were being treated to one fine game of football with the Hawks fans all the more happier to be leading by the odd goal.

The Hawks would make a early substitution as Lee Molyneuax made way for the birthday boy Ryan Woodford. But in a similar vain to the first half it would be Wealdstone who would have the first opportunity of the second half as with the ball into the penalty area Ryan Young pulled off two great saves including a magnificent block from Daniel Fitchett’s shot which kept the Hawks in front.

Minutes later the Hawks defence would be asked of once more as Fitchett played the ball into Oshodi and on the edge of the area, took a shot, but would be sailing its way over the bar. Then 10 minutes later Wealdstone would come close again as a cross in the area would find Benyon who would head wide however the linesman had his flag up for offside.

And it would be Wealdstone who continued to press in their surge for an equaliser but again the Hawks defence would stay resolute as Wealstone’s attacks of fire and fury would be met by the Hawks locked and loaded defence. This was shown once more 15 minutes from time when a free kick found Fithcett which forced a Stella reaction save from Ryan Young.

But the Hawks would still be offensive and would create promising opportunities of their own in what was a end to end game with the best of the efforts being after Rutherford’s impressive link up play to find Jason Prior with with his effort going just wide, being the closest the Hawks would come to scoring in what was a very tense and scrappy second half at Grosvenor Vale.

FULL-TIME: Wealdstone 0-1 HAWKS

So the unbeaten start continues for Lee Bradbury’s troops and post match he hailed a nervy win saying that Wealdstone “throw the kitchen sink at us but we defended very well, long throws into the box, they flooded the box and put loads of pressure on us but we defended resolutely, to a man we were great tonight as far as attitude. We didn’t play fantastic football but it was a good away performance and we came and got the goal, defended after that and kept a clean sheet.”

Next up is the visit of Bath City to Westleigh Park. The Romans will be looking to turn the corner after an indifferent start to their season. Kick off is at 3PM this Saturday and we hope to see as many Hawks fans attend as possible.

Henry Deacon

“The end of Last year was tough”

For Andreas Robinson it has been a dream start to the new campaign having made the place in the starting line-up his own. A man of the match winning performance against Dartford on Saturday was a “bonus” for a man who’s ambition for the season ahead is as level headed as his character.

When we asked the man who’s affectionately known as ‘Robbo’ about the start of his season he said that he “wanted to start off as best as possible. I did that and these (Man of the match awards) are just bonuses really, I just want to help the team out.”

Following the conclusion of last year’s title winning campaign his ambition was for this year to play a key role in the Hawks’ 2017/18 story and I asked him whether that is the case so far. “I suppose, yes. Last year was tough at the end for me personally but with the team winning, hopefully I can take my chance this year, I’ve managed to get into the team although some of the lads have been unlucky with injuries but from an individual point of view you have to take your chance if it’s given to you.”

After keeping a clean sheet against Dartford I asked him the importance of those shut-outs this season and how it puts the side in a good stead: “Definitely, at this level you always going to have problems both ways, attacking and defensively, where teams are going to be in your box, you have to be there and clear your lines. As defenders, our first job is to defend and make sure we get the clean sheet.”

Robbo was then asked about the trip to Wealdstone on the back of this positive start to the season. “Wealdstone is a tough place to go. We had some bad memories the last time we went there, it was a tough defeat, it is a tough place, especially midweek, so we’ll go there and try and win like we do every game.”

Robinson also explains that the Hawks have moved on from their last escapade in this division and relishes the tests put in front of them. “They were bad memories but we’ve moved on we’ve got momentum from last year, we go into games positive and that is the main thing, we are really together as a group and I think we’ll be ok.”

Andreas Robinson spoke to us as part of the coverage on Hawks Radio after receiving his Man of the Match award after his display against the Darts on Saturday. He has certainly struck a convincing case for August’s player of the Month and his season being closely tracked by many fans to be one of success.

 

Henry Deacon