Match report
Hawthorne Rangers 3 - 5 Leicester Colts
by Eddie Bernard
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It wasn't a classic by any means - in parts it was rather innocuous - but today's game still contained a large number of goals. Though Hawthorne lost, they put in a much better second half performance, threatening to complete what would have been a remarkable fightback. In the end, however, Leicester Colts just had a little too much strength at the back, and it is they who advance to the next round of the cup.
The game started rather quietly, neither side able to take control of possession, but ultimately it was Leicester who drew blood first. An unchallenged run from one of their attackers ended with a good finish, and 1-0 after 12 minutes.
Hawthorne held out for a little longer, but it seemed lessons weren't learned from the first goal when a carbon copy of it was played out, allowing Leicester to stroll to a 2-0 advantage.
The rest of the first half was as unnotable as what had come before it. A strong wind blowing across the pitch tended to reduce the quality of the passing and movement, as both sides struggled to put their authority on the game. Nevertheless, at half time, there was no doubt that Leicester deserved their lead, as Hawthorne hadn't even tested the opposition keeper. If it wasn't for some great saves by Darren, it might have been worse, but at least Hawthorne were still in with a chance.
At 2-0, the next goal in the second half would be critical for deciding which way this game was going to go. As in previous games, it went to Leicester, as a rather farcical goal went in due to a combination of decent skill and an unpegged goal net, blowing about in the breeze. It probably shouldn't have counted, but as is usual with Hawthorne Rangers' luck, it did. 3-0.
Concentration levels then seemed to drop from Hawthorne, as Leicester managed to get a fourth a couple of minutes later. Just a minute before Darren had denied Leicester again with a stunning reaction save, but this time his save was rebounded into play. If a defender had got there first it might have been cleared, but Leicester got to it quicker, and it was 4-0.
There didn't seem much left to fight for, but the Hawthorne players, thankfully, had other ideas. Some decent tackling at the back from Josh, Warren and Joe kept the scoreline respectable, but Leicester had started wasting their chances, taking the pressure off slightly.
Fortunately, Hawthorne grabbed their opportunity from a corner. It was floated over neatly to the far post by Ray, where Jay was waiting... he knocked it back in to the middle, where Charlie put home a simple but deadly header. 1-4.
Just as the door was opening, however, the Curse struck again. Hawthorne made what would normally have been a good clearance, but a Leicester player threw themselves at the ball. The successful block went straight to a Leicester forward in a very good position, who finished well. 1-5 with 10 minutes to go.
It would have taken something special to fight back from this position, but Hawthorne nearly did it. They battled hard and had most of the posession in the last part of the game, and got their reward running up the right flank. Danny got a good cross in to Charlie, who laid it off for Adam B for a simple tap-in. 2-5.
A minute later, Adam B got his second with an excellent long range shot from the left. Seconds earlier Hawthorne had been denied, but the rebound reached Adam B on the wings. He took a shot and, whether by accident or design, it went in at the far post. 3-5.
It could have been even closer if Charlie's last effort of the game had just sneaked in, but it crept agonisingly wide just before the final whistle.
It was a spirited second half display from Hawthorne, and if things had gone their way they might have been able to take this cup match to extra time, where they arguably would have been the favourites against a tiring Leicester Colts side. It wasn't to be, but they showed great resolve to keep going to the final whistle.
| Team for the game | |||
| Darren (GK) | |||
| Adam L | Josh | Warren | Adam B |
| Ray | Mikey | Eddy | Joe |
| Mark | Jay | ||
Subs: Danny B (15 mins), Charlie (15 mins)
Man of the Match: Darren
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