Bathroom Unit 12 - 0 H-ton Hawks (Friday Subsidiary Cup 2006)

The Hawks again suffered a heavy defeat in the Subsidiary Cup.

Despite a strong start, it was the same old story. With the Hawks continuing to draw a blank up front and leak goals at the back, the same old excuse of lack of skill and fitness maybe true, but this is starting to wear slightly thin. With the Sub Cup over and the final few league games of the season left, the Hawks need to get a few more matches under their belts before starting afresh in the Second Division. Hopefully the drop in division should provide a more realistic challenge.

Next match is 7.00pm Friday 29th September on Court 1 against Roof Truss in the League. This team provided the Hawks with their best result to date - they didn't turn up and the Hawks were awarded a 10 nil victory.

New Team 8 - 0 H-ton Hawks (Friday Subsidiary Cup 2006)

Despite a much better performance, the Hawks were still unable to get a winning result in the Friday Subsidiary Cup
Even though they were beaten 8-0, H'ton Hawks were upbeat about the result. Playing a much younger and skilful team (I know this seems to be the excuse every week), the Hawks battled throughout the match showing the determination that they have not joined the league just to make up the numbers. The game started with Borthwick switch to goal Cummings switched to defence and due to the squad rotational system, Lawrence and Aldridge were on the bench.
The Hawks started well, soaking up the pressure from the opposition even though the game was destined to become a farce when the organisers were unable to supply coloured bibs for one team to wear, as both teams were dressed in white (England home shirts). Unfortunately the conceding of goals was inevitable as the Hawks, despite their fitness, began to tire. Even though the fatigue was kicking in, the Hawks continued to battle in a rough, physical game. Houghton was penalised on numerous occasions against the wall for reaching around the opposing players in an attempt to force the ball into open play. The referee seemed slightly one-sided on this and was failing to notice the shirt pulling and holding by the opposition.
The second half saw much of the same style of play by both teams. We saw a straight swap with Lawrence and Aldridge replacing Cummings and Watchman-Atkinson. The Hawks did come close with a few long range shots from Lawrence and Houghton, but the team were unable to find the back of the net. New Team did not have this problem. They found the net a total of 8 times throughout the match. It could have been a cricket score if it wasn't for numerous good saves from Borthwick and the tireless defensive work by the rest of the team who were tracking back and covering at every opportunity.

Next match is 7.00pm Friday 22nd September on Court 2 against Bathroom Unit. This is the final group game in the Subsidiary Cup 2006.

Roof Truss 0 - 10 H-ton Hawks (Friday Subsidiary Cup 2006)

With the opposition failing to turn up, the Hawks enjoyed a default 10-nil win.
Despite the fact Roof Truss were AWOL, H'ton Hawks managed to play in a hastily arranged friendly match against unknown opponents.

H-ton Hawks 9 - 9 Unknown Opposition (Friendly Match)

The Hawks were able to field a strengthened squad, as 7 members turned out for this week's game. With a squad rotational system being implemented by the Hawks' management, Houghton and Aldridge found themselves on the bench for the start of the game.
The first half saw the lead switch backwards and forwards with some good possession, skill and passing from the Hawks. At half time the Hawks went in 6-5 up and a double substitution saw Houghton and Aldridge replace Wilson and Watchman-Atkinson. The second half saw more of the same style of play. The Hawks should have taken the win but a few unforced errors allowed the opposition to take advantage and force the draw.
The performance was much improved on previous weeks. The benefit of weekly training sessions showed and the the players' adaptation to the pace of competitive games are starting to prove that they can compete at this level. This should allow for an interesting next match against a team they were beaten 24-2 by only a few weeks ago.

The next game in Friday 15th September at 6.30pm on Court 1 against the Coach & Horses.

Leeds Festival 2006 - Bramham Park

Pictures from the Leeds Festival 2006 at Braham Park are now online. You can view them by either clicking here or on the picture below.

Bathroom Unit 18 - 2 H-ton Hawks (Friday Subsidiary Cup 2006)

H-ton Hawks suffered another heavy defeat despite fielding a revised and strengthened team. The change of line-up and position shuffle did not provide enough to prevent the Hawks slumping to a 18-2 defeat to Bathroom Unit.
Even with captain Robert Lawrence missing, the addition of Borthwick and Houghton (returned from festival duty), and the switch of Cummings to goalkeeper had promise to overcome last week's beating. This, however, was to be the case.
Bathroom Unit, a team mainly consisting of younger, fitter and more skilful players, used all three of these attributes to tear apart the Hawks defence and score goal after goal. Closing down the Hawks and not letting them play the ball, Bathroom Unit showed to all how big the gulf between skill and fitness levels was.
Despite a better second half performance, great goalkeeping from Cummings and a couple of consolatory goals from Borthwick, nothing could stop the 18-2 rout from taking place.
The Hawks can use this game as the route to gain further experience and match fitness.

Next match is a Subsidiary Cup group game on Friday 8st September 7.00pm, Court 1 against Roof Truss.