Match report
Hawthorne Rangers 0 - 5 Gordon Youth Club
by Eddie Bernard
Tell us what you think below...
Jekyll and Hyde must live just round the corner from Buckley Hill, as they seem to make a regular appearance for Hawthorne Rangers these days. They may not be on the teamsheet, or warming up on the touchline during the game, but their spirit of inconsistency, playing well one week and then not the next, was on display for all to see in today's game, as Hawthorne put on a rather erratic show.
The game started brightly for the team... they worked hard and got forward, even getting in a strong shot on goal that was sadly well held by the Gordon Youth keeper. But that was about as good as it got in the first half...
A few minutes later there was a bit of a mix-up at the back between Darren in goal and Warren in defence. Both players went for the ball but neither of them made it theirs, allowing just enough hesitation for a Gordon Youth forward to win the ball, and go on to score.
After that, things went downhill rapidly. Darren made a couple of good saves, but the team were guilty of providing far too many easy goals to Gordon Youth in quick succession, meaning Hawthorne were realistically out of the game within 15 minutes. Poor defending at corners, and being unable to deal with routine crosses, meant the score was 4-0 and the game was over already.
Half time couldn't come too soon, but there was just enough time for Hawthorne to sneak in a chance before the whistle, but after doing the hard work of getting forward and into the box, no one took the opportunity to test the keeper, instead allowing a Gordon Youth player to take the ball away, and the moment was gone.
It was a poor show, but it couldn't have got any worse in the second half, and fortunately it didn't. Hawthorne showed a bit of backbone, and, although ugly, they got through on goal a number of times with a simple long ball as it soon became obvious that Gordon Youth were not at their best against it. The first chance of the half fell to Adam B, who broke free as the defender misjudged the bounce, but his shot crept agonisingly wide of the far post.
Just minutes later Gordon Youth were awarded a penalty... but Hawthorne were spared the misery of seeing it go in when the Gordon Youth player hit it wide of the post. Had Hawthorne's luck changed?
No. There was more battle, and more determination, but it just wasn't enough. Gordon Youth then proved the point by getting the benefit of the doubt at an offside call, and it ended up in the back of the net. 5-0 with 20 minutes to go.
Hawthorne had to make their chances count, but they just wouldn't stick. The long ball unlocked the Gordon defence again, as Jay and Charlie broke forward. Jay passed it sideways for Charlie, but the shot was just off target. Perhaps it's a lack of confidence in those situations because Hawthorne don't got enough of them, but they sometimes lose their nerve at the vital moment.
There were more half chances for Hawthorne as Gordon Youth stepped off the gas in the last ten minutes, but the real problem for Hawthorne was that they just didn't test the keeper enough. In truth, Gordon Youth could have played without a goalie, and Hawthorne may have only scored a couple of goals. The crux of the matter is they struggle to build an attack - and when they do, they end up being left horribly exposed on the counter.
The game fizzled out, and the full time whistle arrived. It was a better second half from Hawthorne, but it was to no avail as the damage had already been done in the first 35 minutes. It would have been nice to have got a goal to have proved the point that the second half was better - but they'll just have to be content that they only conceded one in the second period.
Man of the match today was given to Mark for working hard for the full match and getting some traction up the left wing. It was a difficult game for everyone, but Hawthorne made it such hard work by gifting four easy goals within the first 20 minutes. This one's probably best forgotten very quickly...
| Team for the game | ||||
| Darren (GK) | ||||
| Adam B | Warren | Josh | Joe | |
| Ray | Danny B | Adam L | Jay | Mark |
| Charlie | ||||
Subs: Luke (20 mins), Michael (20 mins)
Man of the Match: Mark
What do you think? Post your comments below...