Match report
Hawthorne Rangers 1 - 2 Northfield
by Eddie Bernard
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Hawthorne Rangers were left scratching their heads today after a spirited performance in stark contrast to the tame surrender of the previous week. A second face-off against Northfield in as many weeks, the game couldn't have been any more different to what was on offer last time around, as the fans willed the Hawthorne players to get the goal they arguably deserved to level the match in the dying seconds. In the end it wasn't to be.
The game started quietly, as Hawthorne steadied their early nerves. It was obvious they didn't want a repeat of last week's embarrassment, and the change in attitude was obvious from every player. It was just a question of whether they could keep the Northfield attack quiet, and then get forward when the opportunity arose.
By the eighth minute, Hawthorne strung a enough passes together to leave Charlie with a half chance, but he just couldn't get to the loose ball quick enough. Minutes later they were nearly punished, as Charly from Northfield once more showed off his potency in the final third of the pitch, getting past his marker and shooting just wide.
Hawthorne had been playing well, but it was a routine series of errors that led to Northfield getting their necks in front. They whipped the ball quickly along the right wing, and then a Northfield player managed to weave in and out of three Hawthorne defenders unchallenged. He got the cross in - and another player converted it in the middle of the penalty area. 1-0.
As the conditions worsened, the game lost a lot of its spark. Northfield pressed, but somehow they lacked the threat they had so visibly demonstrated last week. Every time they got through they were denied either by a good tackle, a good save or a poor finish. Meanwhile, Hawthorne were getting the ball upfield, but the genuine chances weren't opening up for them.
That was, until right before the half-time whistle, when Mark ran up the left channel and threaded a neat pass through to Charlie across the face of goal. Charlie struck it well, but he was denied by a superb fingertip save from Northfield keeper John, who did enough to push it onto the post. If Hawthorne had reacted quicker to the loose ball they would have surely put it in - but they were guilty of a little too much ball watching, and the chance went begging.
1-0 at half time was nothing to be ashamed of, but Hawthorne simply had to get the next goal after the restart. They pressed hard for it, especially through the centre of midfield where Jay was having an excellent game - taking on men and beating them, and making some insightful passes - but it just wasn't happening for the team as first Josh and then Jay both had similar difficult chances to score from distance, but both just sliced it wide.
Northfield remained dangerous and could so easily have punished Hawthorne on the counter attack, but Joe, Michael and Warren were all having great games at the back, dropping back quickly to extinguish the threat when needed, and then getting forward to put Northfield under the kosh in the centre of the park.
But as is always the case with football, it doesn't matter if you play great for 95% of the game, because in the remaining 5% you can be punished ruthlessly. And sure enough, that was what happened, as Northfield succeeded in one of their quick attacks, allowing a striker to delicately flick a well hit through ball past the despairing dive of Darren in the Hawthorne goal. 2-0.
It was a cruel blow after a sterling second half display, but Hawthorne were then presented with many opportunities to turn the game around. The first came almost immediately, when Charlie found himself in on the edge of the area. He struck the shot well but the advancing Northfield keeper did enough to shut him out, saving well.
Minutes later Mark hit a good inswinging free kick from the right hand side, and though the loose ball could have been put in by anyone, it was eventually cleared to Michael - who was waiting just outside the area. He struck the shot well, but it was just a bit too high - as it flicked off the top of the bar and went over.
Seconds after that, in the 60th minute, Charlie was in again - but again Northfield's keeper shut the door. The pressure was building from Hawthorne, but it looked like they weren't going to get the reward they deserved.
That was, until the 69th minute, when a corner from Ray was nodded on by Adam B. The flick reached Charlie, who nonchantly headed the ball home to set up a desperately tense last few minutes. 2-1.
Hawthorne had no choice but to go all out attack, sensing the chance to get something out of a game that they had had the better of the play in. It so nearly happened too, when another free kick, this time from Ray, in the dying seconds sneaked across the face of goal and clipped the right hand post. Just like earlier in the game, if Hawthorne had been quicker to react to the loose ball they might have got another opportunity - but in the end it went out for a goal kick, and it was full time.
It was a great performance from Hawthorne, especially in the second half, but sadly it is the results that count. If they had put away just one of their many chances, it could have been all so different. They simply must be more efficient in front of goal; until then, the results will continue to be as frustrating as this one.
| Team for the game | |||
| Darren (GK) | |||
| Josh | Warren | Michael | Mark |
| Joe | |||
| Ray | Jay | Daniel | Adam B |
| Charlie | |||
Subs: Luke
Men of the Match: Jay and Joe
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