Match report
Hawthorne Rangers 3 - 4 Gordon Youth
by The Gaffer
Tell us what you think below...
Hawthorne played their first friendly of the new season today after a longer than planned summer break. The team have been back in training since the beginning of August but there were a few new faces in the team due to holidays and some changes in personnel.
Hawthorne did not get off to the best of starts and for the first 15 minutes found themselves penned in their own half and under constant pressure. The team seemed slow to push out from goal kicks and clearances and invited the pressure from a lively Gordon Youth side. It was no surprise when they went a goal behind after 20 minutes after failing to clear a simple cross. The goal did nothing to liven Hawthorne up and they conceded again on the stroke of half time to find themselves 2-0 down.
Changes were quickly needed if the game was to be saved and the Gaffer made them immediately. Trialist Jack was put in goal to release Eddy into defence and Jay T was brought on to strengthen the midfield. The changes had the desired effect and Hawthorne clawed their way back into the game. 10 minutes into the second half, Charlie slotted home a cross that just beat the keeper.
Unfortunately, the good work was undone when the team went to sleep and conceded another sloppy goal to go 3-1 down. However as the second half wore on Gordon Youth seemed to tire a bit and Hawthorne shocked them by scoring two goals in a 10 minute spell. The first found Charlie in space following good work by Danny Beacham in midfield. Charlie was one on one with the keeper and although the keeper got a hand to the shot it was powerful enough to loop in the net.
The equaliser came when Charlie raced on to a through ball and just managed to get to it before the opposition keeper. This set the game up for a dramatic finale, but it was Gordon Youth who were to win it with a controversial goal...
Following a minor argument in the centre circle the ref decided to stop the game and return the ball to Jack in the Hawthorne goal. From the resultant kick the ball was returned in to the penalty area and although there appeared to be a couple of players offside the ball was slotted home and the goal was given. There was no time left to save the game and on the second half performance Hawthorne were unlucky not pick up a draw.
Congratulations should go to the whole team for a determined second half display and especially for Charlie on his first hat trick which was taken in true striker fashion
This was a good work out for the team and will hopefully stand them in good shape for the tough first league fixture against Skem Rangers next week.
| Team for the game | |||
| Jack | |||
| Eddy | Josh | Mikey | Joe |
| Luke | Jay S | Jay T | Danny |
| Tom | Charlie | ||
Man of the Match: Charlie
What do you think? Post your comments below...