Due to an afternoon kick off, Team HGS were reduced to only having 12 of their 16 man squad available due to other commitments. This required some tactical reshuffling from Coaches Walton, Stevenson & Chamberlain with Ansell being moved back to centre back alongside captain Donald to hopefully deal with the big physical strikers that we knew Hawkinge possessed. This opened up a position for returning Ronan Taggart (who was yet to make his debut for the touring side having been on what seems like a constant holiday all the way back to Easter when he went on the cricket tour to Barbados).
If the boys were under any confusion about what standard their opposition, this was dispelled within the first 5 minutes when Hawkinge broke quickly down either wing & had chances at goal. Nothing came of these, but the damage was done as our boys were then disjointed & found themselves out of position. Something a team with the quality that Hawkinge possess enjoyed as they exposed the gaps.
Despite this pressure, Taggart had a great chance to open the scoring with a run through on goal after a great ball through from Taylor (keen to impress as he's playing against not only his club side but against his Dad who coaches Hawkinge). Unfortunately he was just too wide to have a clear view at goal & the keeper made the save. Despite this positive play, HGS found themselves behind soon after. In quick succession, a ball down the line in behind our defensive line led to 2 well taken goals for our visitors. A combination of new players & a lack of communication proved our downfall.
A quick reshuffle of formation from Coach Walton followed the restart, something that seemed to relax the boys & despite being behind for the first time this pre-season, Team HGS didn't let their heads drop & just collapse. Some gutsy work from Brazier & Donald challenging for the ball in the middle whilst Smith, Hearmon, Maffia & Price offered great resistance & challenges against their larger & stronger counterparts. This work rate meant that at the half time break, it was still only 2-0 to Hawkinge.
With limited resources compared to the other fixtures, Coaches Walton, Stevenson & Chamberlain had a long chat whilst the boys rehydrated in terms of their plan for the 2nd half. The outcome resulted with a sticking to the system that had been successful for the 2nd part of the 1st half, but with a few personnel changes. Walton brought himself on at the back, allowing Ansell to form a partnership for the first time with Taggart up front. A few other switches to allow some periods of recovery & we were back under way. The plan for the 2nd half was simply to work hard all over the field & win the half.
Instantly from their kick off, the upped pressure was evident with a pack of 3 or 4 hunting the ball down all over the field. This pattern of play continued throughout, with Hawking looking like they didn't know what had hit them. Team HGS were picking up the ball all over the field & using it intelligently to get to within shooting range of the goal. After 10 minutes a break through was made when Taggart was released again to bear down 1-on-1 with the keeper. This time however he made sure & slotted the ball past him.
Despite bringing the scoreline back to within a goal, HGS didn't let up & continued with the pressure. In particular Nathan Smith, who again despite his size, was more than able to out muscle some of the midfielders in order to win or retain possession. It was from one of his challenges that the ball fell to Hearmon. With his usual tight control on the ball, he wiggled in & out of defenders a couple of times, but was eventually brought down what looked inside the box, but actually just outside for a free kick. Donald stepped up to take the kick, but must have seen Hobbs' penalties too much as he what can only be described as scuffed the ball in to the ground. Luckily for him, the wall jumped & leaving the keepr unsighted meant he equalised with 10 minutes left to find a possible winner.
This third goal came soon after. Team HGS were really forcing mistakes from the Hawkinge side with their high intensity pressure A great sign that all the hard work from January was paying off. The ball was won again by the front 5, who then interchanged passes to allow Maffia to run at their defence. His shot was blocked, but the ball fell to Smith who calmly controlled & passed the ball in to the net. Nothing more than his performance deserved.
It had now turned from a rescue job at half time in to a protection mission with only 5 minutes to go. This didn't stop the forward momentum though with a few efforts at goal still testing their keeper. The best of the lot coming from Taylor, who from near on 30 yards out & wide on the sideline, hit a shot come cross that had beaten the keeper all ends up. Unfortunately the cross bar saved him. Goal of the tour still lays at the feet of Coach Walton's volley at Lyminge!!
With only a couple of minutes to go, a rare Hawkinge break forward ended up with them being in the our box in a threatening position. Despite being ushered away from the centre, a slightly mistimed tackle brought the attacker down giving them the chance to earn a late draw from the penalty spot, something they duely took.
Despite this late equaliser, the boys & coaches were not too downbeat when the whistle went as being disappointed with a draw against that opposition says a lot. More importantly though, the effort, work rate, passion, level of football played & simple guts & determination in the second half was something for everyone associated to be proud off. We go again on Tuesday against Hawkinge again, this time with a more complete squad, so hopefully with similar intentions, a win is not too much to expect. . .
SQUAD - Roche, Hancock, Brazier, Price, Donald, Maffia, Smith, Ansell, Walton, Rolfe, East, Revill, Taylor, Hearmon, Taggart
Man of the Match - Josh Donald
Scorers - Taggart, Donald, Smith
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