VCD Athletic 2 Hawks 1

The Hawks were without Lucas Rodrigues and Connor Tighe who both picked up injuries in the defeat to Ashford, with James Fraser getting the nod to lead the front line for his third debut and 100th appearance for the Hawks. Jude Macdonald gave league debuts to new defensive pairing of Frankie Chappell and new assistant manager, Adam El-Abd.

Looking to put the Ashford game behind them, the Hawks started brightly, taking the lead within four minutes, as Marvin Hamilton rose highest to head home in a congested six yard box from a Dave Martin corner.

Tempers flared as Vickers skipper Lea Dawson caught Harry Shooman with a late challenge, with the resulting fracas leading to yellow cards shown to both skippers, Dawson for the foul, Muggeridge for his reaction. Once the game restarted, the Hawks gained control with Hamilton playing in a new more attacking role in the centre of midfield, heading wide from a Martin free kick.

Fraser probably should have doubled the lead just after the hour mark, when he picked up a loose back pass, but Nick Blue the VCD keeper spread himself well to force Fraser wide and the ensuing shot just missed.

The Hawks maintained the attacking intent into the second half, as Shooman found himself getting behind his full back, with Blue forced into action to deny the youngster. With both sides making multiple changes the game started to fizzle out, with the Hawks looking extremely comfortable.

That is, until the 85th minute when a mix-up on the half way line led to the Hawks losing the ball to Ayman El-Mogharbel in midfield. He was able to play in Malachi Hudson who finished superbly past Broadbent to draw the hosts level, completely against the run of play.

Three minutes later, with the Hawks piling forward, defender Chris Edwards clearing long and Hudson managed to beat Lew Unwin to the loose ball to break away. He was felled by Broadbent for a penalty. Hudson dusted himself off and slotted home to send the Vickers into an unlikely lead.

Deep into stoppage time, Muggeridge had the chance to level it, after being played through by the debutant Sobowale, but Blue again came to the rescue of the Vickers to snatch all three points.

<strong>Hawks: </strong>Broadbent, Emberson, Shooman, Hamilton, Chappell, El-Abd, Muggeridge (c), Ovenden (Unwin 82), Fraser (70), Abdulla, Martin
Not used: Okorougo, Blackmore, Wilson

<strong>Vickers: </strong>Blue, Edwards, Probets, Hopkins (Hysi 73), Barry (Fisher 55), Oshilaja, El-Mogharbel, Dawson (c), Vines, Elliott (Adesite 69), Hudson
Not used: Griffiths, Frey

Bookings: Muggeridge, Broadbent, Adbulla (Hawks), Edwards, Dawson Hudson (VCD)

Referee: Joe McKay

Attendance: 169

Hawks MotM: Marvin Hamilton