The Hawks raced into two goal lead after just ten minutes as they cut through the Cuex’s rather static defense with strikes coming from Anthony Byrne and Tom Sayer. The Hawks then maybe sensing a routine victory was on the cards after such a flying start did seem to sit back on their lead after that which  in turn allowed the opposition back into the match and it was Hermonceux that pulled a goal back before the break to go in 2-1 at half time.

This seemed to kick us back into action and it was the Hawks who restored their 2 goal advantage with another excellent strike from Sags. Minutes later Anthony could have put the fixture to bed but his long range effort agonisingly came back of the bar. Again though when we looked in total control we allowed the opposition back into the game as they pulled two goals back in quick succession, the second of which though was a quality strike from all of 40 yards from a misplaced throw out from Dan.

As fatigue set in on a heavy pitch both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the ninety minutes with te only highlights being veteran warhorse Wiggins taking a Baxter clearance full in the chops and Darren Poole crashing an excellent Jamie Young cross against the bar in the final few minutes thus condemning the crowd (loosely termed) to a further 30 more minutes of hypothermia.

Extra time still couldn’t separate the teams although the most laughable penalty you’ll ever see was awarded to the opposition as a sniper in a tree must have taken out a Hermonceux forward after he went down with absolutely no contact from anyone in a red and white shirt. Fortunately guilt must have got the better of him as he rolled the resulting pen harmlessly towards the Scout hut.

So after 120 freezing minutes a place in the cup semi final would be decided by pens, 2 visiting oddballs from the asylum more commonly known as Sandhurst (Louis and Conrad) filmed the excitement as it unfolded (Channer attempted but found it to cold to operate his phone).

All of the Hawks pens were dispatched with varying levels of skill/jammieness and Dan did his bit by keeping out two, although this was reduced to one after the ref had spotted some lateral movement by Dan on his line (this was probably just wind though).  But one was enough as Toddy (Andy) stepped up to take penalty number 5 knowing conversion would mean victory for Pete’s boys.

Everyone held their breath and Chandler commented ‘well at least he’ll smash it, God knows where it’ll end up but at least he’ll smash it!’ But fair play to Toddy he stroked his pen top left with all the coolness of his older brother, although Chandler’s comments were vindicated as Andy later admitted that it was meant to go bottom right !

But who cares, an entertaining game and the Reserves are through to their first semi final for a good few years.

The Hawks went into the quarter final of their divisional cup with a new look back four and a new look formation, following the disappointment of last week’s lackluster defeat to local rivals Cranbrook Town manager Bates went for a 4-3-3 formation.

The loss of Aussie Grant meant Harry stepping into the centre half position to link up with Sandsy. The new formation took shape in the form of the 3 amigos of Toddy, Zip and Bubble (up above the streets and houses) operating in the middle of the park. This left George and Balders marauding the left and right flanks and the old has been that is Channer keeping the opposition centre halves company.

This tactical masterstroke seemed to be working from the off as Channer had the ball in the Rangers net after only a couple of minutes but his effort was adjudged to be offside. The Hawks continued to dominate but were unable to convert possession into goals and as is so often the case where hit by a sucker punch midway through the first half as Rangers were first to pick up a loose ball in the centre circle and broke down the right wing before being squared and swept home in clinical fashion by the visiting forward.

The Hawks continued to pile on the pressure at the other end and finally got the equaliser they deserved just before half time when Balders was put through by George and calmly finished giving the visiting keeper no chance.

The second really was a case of the George Lawrence show as he wrapped an excellent hat-trick to send the Hawks through to the semi final of the cup. His first was a stunning top corner strike after he had waltzed through the opposition defense. His second was a cool lob after being put through by Channer and his hat-trick came from an unselfish Balders cutback.

The score line didn’t flatter us that much and Rangers couldn’t really live with us when we got the ball on the deck, shortened the passes up and try and knock it around properly. We just need the confidence to do this every week and not revert to the long ball if things aren’t going our way.

George’s heroics aside everyone put in a good shift, Beano looks more assured with each game he plays (he can even line a wall up properly now). Harry slotted in seamlessly with One Direction at centre half and Marco and Jase both had solid games at full back.

The 3 stooges broke everything up in the middle, with Zippy even getting an attempted right hook for his troubles. Bubble lasted the whole game without having the urge to boff his breakfast up and Toddy didn’t get booked although he did motion to Batesy to hook him when it looked like it might start to drizzle near the end.

Team: S Beaney, J Meadows (L Colvin), M Palumbo, H Young, M Sands, M Todd, J Baldock, C Golding, B Marshall, P Channer (O Lawrence), G Lawrence, T Sayer (DNP)

Goals : J Baldock, G Lawrence (3)

Recent meetings between the local bird population (the Hawks and the Cranes) have been evenly matched with both sides claiming their share of wins.  Most recently, the Hawks won a hard fought match at Cranbrook with two late goals but this time it was the Cranes who were able to gain their revenge.

Last week Hawkhurst had a poor first half but improved in the second to secure a comfortable win at Northiam but this week the poor start was followed by an equally poor second half.  For their part Cranbrook seemed hungrier for the ball and played more football although they still seem to always play through their excellent number 10 who was, once again, engaged in a monumental tussle with Hawkhurst legend Grant Hyner in his final game before going to Oz.

Neither side really created many clear chances and the first real save came from Sam Beaney in the Hawkhurst goal as he superbly kept out a penalty that had been rather harshly given for handball by Marco Palumbo.  Beaney followed that by also saving the rebound but all his hard work was undone as Cranbrook promptly scored from the resulting corner, a rather weak clearance falling to a player on the edge of the box who finished well.

The second half was more of the same, Paul Channer had most of the Hawks best chances but he had to create these for himself and, despite changing his boots, it became clear that his shooting boots were having a day off.  As Channer has netted eight goals in the last five games (most from the subs bench) it didn’t seem too much to ask for someone else to take up the challenge but this wasn’t to be as the Hawks were kept goalless for the first time this season.

Cranbrook’s second came when the ball broke to a forward, the Hawks claimed offside but linesman Colin Todd said ‘no’ and the forward finished past a stranded Beaney.  Minutes later Todd did put his flag up for offside and was promptly abused by the travelling supporters who clearly have very short memories!

It was a shame that the Hawks couldn’t have given Grant a better send off on the pitch but they made up for this in the Eight Bells afterwards. Grant has been a stalwart for the club for the last ten years (well, nine and a half – enough said!) both on the pitch and off it and leaves us all with many happy memories. We are all sorry to see him go (although the water bottles will breathe a sigh of relief as they won’t get punted round the field any more).All the best to Grant, Karen, Ellie, Shannon and Statto (Luke) for their future down under. Does anyone know where we can get another Legend before Saturday?

Team: S Beaney, J Meadows, M Palumbo, G Hyner (captain, Legend), M Sands, M Todd, O Lawrence, C Golding, B Marshall (B Warren), P Channer, G Lawrence (R Chandler).

After a three week break for Christmas the Hawks returned for a difficult ESFL Div 3 game against Northiam who stood second in the table at the start of play.

Manager Matt Bates was pleased that most of his players had managed to get a good run out in Monday’s club friendly and encouraged his team to withstand any early pressure from the home side and then use superior fitness to push on and win the game.

To everyone’s surprise the game worked out much as Bates had predicted, the home side were quickly into their stride as they saw a good chance to cut the gap to the leaders and remain in the promotion race.  Northiam dominated the first half as they won most of the midfield battles and seemed to be able to cope easily with Hawkhurst’s attacks although the visitors didn’t help themselves by playing rather narrow and resorting to too many long balls. 

However, Northiam were also limited in their own attacks as they came up against the rock that is the Hawkhurst defence and, like many teams before them, failed to find a way through.  The most notable (and unsavoury) moment of the first half was a crude jump-tackle on Jason Baldock which saw the Hawkhurst attacker carried off with a nasty ankle injury and the perpetrator escape without even a word from the ref.

The second half was a different story as Northiam quickly ran out of steam and the Hawks midfield started to dictate the game.  Chris Golding and Ben Marshall started to win far more headers and tackles and had an excellent outlet in Matt Todd as he hugged the touchline and wreaked havoc down the left wing.  It was Todd who first got the ball in the net as he hit a glorious 20 yard shot over the keeper only for it to disallowed for a very dubious offside decision by the home linesman.

Minutes later a bouncing ball was played into the Northiam box and Paul ‘Magic’ Channer jumped with the keeper and then bundled the loose ball into the net.  There was immediate uproar from the home side as they claimed that Channer had handled the ball but the referee clearly felt that no offence had been committed and allowed the goal. 

Northiam quickly fell apart after that; Channer raced clear to calmly score his second and Marco Palumbo evaded two malicious tackles before passing to Matt Todd who was quickly hacked down for a penalty which he easily converted.

The remainder of the game saw the Hawks concede an unnecessary number of free kicks in their own half but Northiam’s long balls into the box were easily repulsed by Hyner and Sands at their imperious best.

Northiam continued to complain at the end of the game and two local ‘experts’ came onto the pitch to join in the abuse.  However, they had little to say about the dangerous tackle that injured Baldock (you should see the state of his ankle) or the blatant penalty that was awarded after three attempts to hack down Hawkhurst players – like most supporters, they only saw what they wanted to see!

On a brighter note, Channer has potential new employment for next season as he has been approached by the Chicago Bulls to join their coaching staff!

Team: S Beaney, H Young, M Palumbo, M Sands, G Hyner, G Meadows (O Lawrence), M Todd, C Golding (c), B Marshall, J Baldock (P Channer), G Lawrence, R Chandler (DNP)

Goals: P Channer (2), M Todd (pen)

Highlight one option from each section and you have your very own match report!

1)      The weather was  a) wet  b) cold  c) windy  d) all of these as we were in Eastbourne

 2)      The pitch was  a) small  b) big  c) green with white lines on it d) it doesn’t really matter as the ball was in the air most of the time anyway

 3)      (insert player name) was absent due to  a) illness/injury   b) drunk  c) Christmas shopping  d) with those gits in the First team (who won again!)

 4)      JB  a) scored an own goal   b) gave away a penalty  c) scored 2 own goals  d) gave away 2 penalties

 5)      Bob Wiggins was  a) 3/10   b) 4/10  c) on a SAGA holiday  d) at the birth of his 10^th child

6)      Their goals were  a) Dan’s fault  b) Tasty’s fault   c) clearly offside  d) not my fault

 7)      Our goals (if any) were a) down to a) my brilliance  b) a fluke  c) in my dreams  d) a consolation

 8)      Pete was  a) booked  b) sent off  c) very angry and booked/sent off  d) kicking doors again

 9)      The opposition were  a) rubbish but still beat us  b) too good for us  c) very good and beat us  easily   d) down to 8 men and still beat us

 10)   The referee was  a) blind  b) on first name terms with their players (Eastbourne)  c) locked in the changing rooms (Hastings)  d) glad that Matt Todd wasn’t playing

 The above is obviously tongue in cheek but seriously it would be good if we had match reports from both teams (if only to stop Lee (roy) moaning !!).

The early stages of this game were more like an episode of Holby City than a football match as the Hawks lost Rob Chandler with a dislocated finger (wuss!), Grant Hyner with a chest infection (whingeing Australian!) and George Lawrence with man boy-flu. 

The game had barely started before Matt Todd had to go off with a back injury after bravely bending over to pick the ball up, Paul Channer had a panic attack at this point when he realised he was going to have to play the full game. Minutes later Shane King then decided that the bar of the Eight Bells was a more attractive place to be than the King George V playing field on a cold Saturday in December and was sent off for having a mouth far larger than his brain after exchanging kicks with the visiting number 7. 

Hurst had taken the lead with a rather soft free kick but Paul Channer levelled with a cool finish after being put through by Jason Baldock.

There weren’t really many chances for either side after that as Hurst failed to really make their man advantage tell.  The Hawks back four were well marshalled by Martin Sands and Harry Young put in yet another first class performance.  Marco Palumbo is developing into an excellent left back with great distribution skills and young Grant Meadows put in another good shift at right back – but still spends half the game with his hands on his hips!

Hurst had a goal disallowed for off-side in the second period and Sam Beaney saved well from a close range header but Hawkhurst probably had the better of the chances.  Baldock played Channer in but the veteran striker got on the wrong side of the defender and was eased aside with a move that is known in defensive circles as the ‘Hyner arse’!  The best chance came late on when Baldock played another ball through to Chris Golding but the skipper couldn’t decide whether to head or kick the ball and eventually adopted a ‘starfish’ approach where he tried (and failed) to do both at the same time.

There were mixed feelings at the end as some players felt that it was 2 points dropped while others were happy that we had taken 4 points out of 6 against a strong side while playing with 10 men for large parts of both matches.

Finally, a very happy Christmas to both our readers from everyone at Hawkhurst Utd!

Team: S Beaney, M Palumbo, S King, M Sands, H Young, M Todd (O Lawrence) (G West), G Meadows, C Golding (c), B Marshall, J Baldock, P Channer.

 Goal: P Channer

PS (by Chan) Just like to add the game was played in an excellent spirit the Hurst lads are a good bunch and the game was reffed well, (even with the sending off). Kingy (the mong) has knowbody to blame but himself !

The Hawks made a good start to this ESFL Div 3 clash against a strong Battle Rangers side that have had some improved results recently.

The opening goal came courtesy of Hawkhurst (and future Australian) legend Grant Hyner. Jason Baldock hit a superb corner with the outside of his foot, the visiting keeper came out to punch but met fifteen stone of frustrated centre-forward going the other way with the obvious result of a goal for the Hawks. There was some concern as Hyner lay on the ground for a while but once he realised that he wasn’t going to get any sympathy (or many congratulations!) he got up and jogged back for the re-start.

The Hawks created several more first half chances as Baldock weaved his way into the box but fired straight at the keeper, man of the match Ben Marshall tried several long shots which, as usual, crashed into the trees (a recent survey has shown that the two main causes of de-forestation in the world are logging in the Amazon and Bubble’s shooting!). Skipper Chris Golding then found himself unmarked, five yards out and on the end of Marco Palumbo’s pin-point cross but failed to get a single grey hair on the ball.

At the other end Sam Beaney was alert to push away a strong shot but was unable to keep out a fierce free-kick at the start of the second half which levelled the scores.

For a while it looked as though Battle would get on top as the Hawks had trouble stopping some of their more skilful players but the home defence rallied and didn’t really allow another chance for the rest of the game. It was then time for Paul ‘impact sub’ Channer to make his entrance and he promptly impacted on the Battle centre half!

With twenty minutes to go an innocuous (look it up!) cross from George Lawrence on the right saw the keeper and centre half both call for the ball and then leave it, Channer had anticipated this (he was still getting back from the previous attack!) and was in the right place to fire into the roof of the empty net – another foot higher and it would have been in the pond (again!).

Jason Baldock then surged into the visitor’s penalty area and unselfishly squared the ball to Channer whose first effort was blocked by a defender but he was able to get to the loose ball and fire home the decisive third goal.

Team: S Beaney, M Palumbo, H Young, G Hyner, M Sands, M Todd, G Meadows (P Channer), C Golding (c), B Marshall, G Lawrence, J Baldock, B Warren (DNP), J Angel (DNP)

Goals: P Channer (2), G Hyner

The blusterly conditions ensured that this East Sussex League Division 3 encounter was never go to be a classic and the absence of leading striker Balders and defensive linchpin Hyner meant Batesy had to shuffle his pack again with the Hawks going for a 3-5-2 formation.

The Hawks failed to get to grips with the difficult conditions early on and it was Peche Hill that looked more comfortable and had the better of the opening exchanges so it wasn’t really a shock when they took the lead after their centre forward had been bundled over in the box and the resulting penalty converted.  

This did seem to shake us into action and after a period of sustained possession which resulted in some good work down the left by Matt Todd and it was his cross that was put away with a sharp finish from Chris Golding that drew us level. The rest of the first period passed off pretty innocuously as both teams battled to master the conditions however as the half drew to a close the Hawks scored the controversial goal which turned the match in our favour.  

Channer who is not known for his aerial ability (he can’t head it) managed to allow the ball to bounce of his head and loop to strike partner George Lawrence who stuck out a boot, the ball somehow escaped the grasp’s of  Peche Hill’s some what immobile keeper and ended up in the back of the net. The home side went into one as they felt George’s boot was a little on the high side as contact was made, which in all honestly it probably was.

Westy had to be withdrawn at half time as his excursions with his loft ladder on Thursday night had left him in a state of ‘Wiggins’ like bewilderment, staggering around the pitch. The Hawk’s superior fitness did though began to show in the second half and it was not long before a third goal was added when Channer fired home from close range after a goal mouth scramble involving Kingy and a post.

It was Channer though who wasted the best chance of the game minutes later, having been put through one on one he decided to see how far he could lash the ball into the woods as opposed to tucking away a fairly simple chance, the ball was eventually recovered from a Tesco’s disabled parking bay.

Channer did make amends though in the 70th minute with the fourth and even Kingy got in on the act converting the fifth after an excellent cross from Lawrence, it was a stunning strike and there was some discussion as to what part of his body got the final touch from all of 2 yards, some said his knee, some said his shin, knowbody said his boot.

The Hawks really looked solid in the second half with Harry, Marco and the masterfull Sands marshalling the back, Bubble giving his usual all action display in the middle, Zip got his goal and Toddy got his booking. Also there was an excellent full debut from from the elf like Grant Meadows, who can throw the ball further than Taste can kick it.

The only downside of the day was a rather gruesome finger injury to keeper Rob Chandler that will unfortunately keep him out of action until the new year.     

Team: R Chandler, H Young, M Palumbo, G Meadows, M Sands, P Channer (O Lawrence), C Golding, M Todd, G West (S King), B Marshall, G Lawrence

Goals: C Golding, G Lawrence, P Channer (2), S King

After the disappointment of last week’s result it was important for the Hawks to roll up their sleeves and try and get back to winning ways, but it was never going to be easy against a Herstmonceux side that had held Hawkhurst to a 2-2 draw at their place in October.

Skipper Chris Golding was unavailable so Gary West took the armband and the central midfield role although he was rather dropped in at the deep end as he had to organise the pre-match warm-up and team talk as well!  Still, it seemed to work as the Hawks started brightly and took the lead with a Matt Todd penalty after the referee had given handball.

Herstmonceux quickly levelled and the game then settled into something of a dour midfield battle with few chances created and although both keepers had things to do, neither really had to make a particularly difficult save. 

The Hawks suffered a mad 10 minutes in the second half when a double substitution seemed to cause panic in nearly all positions and then, just as things seemed to be settling down, the visitors proceeded to take the lead. Grant Hyner found himself facing two men and as he took the only option available and closed down the ball, it then left the other player free to score.

There then followed one of those farcical episodes that will go down in Hawkhurst folklore for years to come.  Renowned Hawkhurst ‘hard man’ Paul Channer fell out with the visiting keeper as the players waited for a corner to be taken. The keeper took exception to this and proceeded to taunt Channer whenever he had the ball however the veteran striker had the last laugh as, with just two minutes left, he raced clear and crashed the equaliser into the back of the net.

The crowd and players anticipated that Channer would enjoy his moment with a few well chosen words to the keeper but he just turned his back and jogged to the centre circle. The solution to the mystery became apparent in the pub later on as it turned out that rather than showing great self-control and sportsmanship, Channer didn’t celebrate because he thought that the Hawks were still losing the game!!

Team: R Chandler, H Young, M Palumbo (G Meadows), G Hyner, M Sands, S King (P Channer), M Todd, G West (c), B Marshall, J Baldock, G Lawrence

Goals: M Todd (pen), P Channer

At the start of the game these top two teams were separated by seven points but with Orington having 2 games in hand it was clear that this fixture was going to play its part in deciding the outcome of ESFL Div 3.

The home side dominated the early stages with Rob Chandler saving at close range in the opening minutes, a goal disallowed for offside and a shot which hit the bar so hard that it rebounded back outside of the penalty area.  The pressure finally told with a run down the Hawks right, the ball was pulled back to an unmarked forward that scored.  Orington doubled their lead minutes later with a shot through a crowd of players into the bottom corner of the net.

The Hawks finally got going and the home keeper saved from George Lawrence but the youngster would not be denied and minutes later he finished off from close range after a good run by Matt Todd.  Unfortunately the Hawks allowed Orington to restore their two goal lead before half-time when a free kick to the far post was headed back across the goal for an unmarked player to score.

The second half was more of a stalemate as Orington looked happy to sit on their lead and for their part the Hawks finally got a grip in midfield.  With time starting to run out the Hawks were given a lifeline in a goal mouth scramble, the ball appeared to have been cleared but substitute Paul Channer chased it down and squared for skipper Chris Golding to score.  For a few minutes it looked as though the Hawks may be able to pile on the pressure and push for that vital equaliser but very quickly Orington scored again with a thumping shot and the game was finished.

This was a disappointing result for the Hawks but, at the start of the season, if someone had promised that half way through we would have a record of 7 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat then I think we’d have taken that.

Also the game, to a degree was not enhanced either from a participating or observing point of view by a referee who felt he had to make up for his obvious lack of mobility by imposing his authority on the game by waving his cards about at every opportunity.

He did not fortunately affect the outcome of the game and we can have no complaints with the result as our hosts on the day were by far the better side. But surely some level of common sense could have been applied with regard to handling certain situations; it was a top of the table clash between two unbeaten sides on a poor and muddy surface.

We just felt that a slightly more level headed approach could have made it a better and more enjoyable experience for all concerned. Respect to a certain degree can be earned and not just demanded.  

Team: R Chandler, H Young, M Palumbo (G Meadows), G Hyner, M Sands, M Todd, G West (P Channer), C Golding (c), B Marshall, J Baldock (S Marshall), G Lawrence.

Goals: G Lawrence, C Golding