Hawks 2 South Park 0

Lambert 2′

O’Toole 30′

Hawks: Glover, Morrison, Daly, Orome, Shelley (Reeder 74′), Miles (Blackmore 74′), Lambert (Cooper 64′), Harris, Splatt, O’Toole (Trialist 70′), Wright (Warwick 64′)

The Hawks met fellow Step 4 Isthmian League South Central South Park on Tuesday night in what proved to be a very useful hard fought game – anything but a pre-season friendly, especially in the first half when the referee could be heard remonstrating with the opposition and threatening to abandon the game if tempers didn’t cool down. 

Charlie Lambert gave the Hawks an early lead with a side foot finish from a left wing cross by Stefan Wright.

A succession of Charlie Harris corners then caused havoc in the visitor’s box but the ball somehow failed to find the back of the net. Will Miles hit the bar twice and Joe Shelley saw two shots cleared off the line in quick succession. Joel Daly had a long range effort spectacularly saved.

A rare foray forward from the visitors saw a long range effort from the visitors’ no9 cannot off the Hawks bar.

Rob O’Toole finally extended the lead with his second pre-season goal after half an hour, following chasing down by Javaun Splatt and Wright.

South Park tightened up in the second half without ever threatening Luke Glover’s goal, as the Hawks varied the formation and line-up, ensuring the new squad all got a run out. Joel Daly played further forward in the second half, greatly impressing with his pace downhill, as the Hawks settled for a comfortable 2-0 win. 

Two wins at home already in pre-season is exactly half the number of home wins all last season.

Thanks to visitors South Park for making the match possible.