Division Two West

Hawkhurst Utd  5    Halls  3

Saturday, 01 March 2008

Having made the 60 mile round trip to fulfil this division 2 west fixture, Halls were faced with their first dilemma when regular choice keeper Dan Jacobs reported sick, forcing the manager to make last minute team changes with Chris Williams moving from his defensive midfield role into goal. However in a very sporting game, with both teams playing excellent football, an unbiased on looker would not have known that Williams was a reluctant keeper and he kept Halls in the game with a fine first half display.

Choosing to play down the slope with the wind behind them Hawkhurst spent most of the first half playing long balls over the top hoping to catch Halls out. However it was Halls who drew first blood when Smith capitalised on an uncharacteristic like error when the keeper fumbled a throw out after 15 minutes. 10 minutes later Hawkhurst seized on a defensive error by the Halls midfield, to play some clever one two passes to let in the leagues leading goal scorer, Mitchell, to draw the game level.

With the game tied 1-1 at halftime, the second half started well with both sides playing attractive football. Hawkhurst had obviously listened to their manager at half time as they kept the ball on the deck and swept the ball down both wings, causing the Halls defenders massive problems. However Halls stuck to their game plan and tried to play football and were rewarded after 55 minutes when from a long throw by Moss, O’Toole flicked the ball neatly onto Smith on the far post who took his second goal well. Hawkhurst immediately counter attacked from the re start and forced a great save from Williams in goal, however their concerted pressure from both flanks resulted in the equalizer from Hawkhurst, having first hit the crossbar, and following a series of defensive errors, the ball was crossed low from the right for a well taken goal.

Hawkhurst keeper was still celebrating when Halls kicked off and O Toole took a long range shot from halfway to beat a bemused keeper who claimed he was still waiting to hear the whistle for the re start. The question as to whether Halls could hold their 3-2 lead for the last 20 minutes, seemed immaterial when Smith was put clean through, but scooped his hat trick chance over the bar. Hawkhurst pressed hard and were rewarded with two quick goals one from a neatly worked set piece and one gifted by the now weary Halls defence. With Hawkhust leading 4-3, Steve Poile sent on two substitutes to play up front, sacrificing a defensive player to try to save the game. Unfortunately Hawkhurst continued to play good passing football and almost immediately played the ball down the left side and another low cross completely fooled the Halls defence, and Hawkhursts fifth and final goal in the 85th minute sealed Halls fate.

There were no bookings in the game, which was contested in a very fair and sporting manner. Hawkhurst edged the game tactically, but Halls are hoping to put out a full strength team for the reverse fixture on the 29th March.


Halls man of the match was O Toole who worked tirelessly in midfield whilst the vote for Hawkhurst must surely go to Mitchell who grabbed another two goals to take him into leading goalscorer spot with 23 from 13 games in the division.