Hawkins’ Header Secures Sussex Senior Cup Progress

Whitehawk secured their place in the next round of the Sussex Senior Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Haywards Heath Town at The Enclosed Ground. A second-half header from Henry Hawkins proved to be the difference in a match filled with intensity and late drama.

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First Half: Heath Test the Hawks

The visitors started on the front foot, capitalising on two early defensive lapses. Will Huffer denied Lewis Finney with a low save, while Liam Benson’s follow-up went wide.

Whitehawk had their own chances, with George Taggart and Charlie Walker going close. Walker, set up by Kai Jennings, fired over from close range in the 15th minute. At the other end, Huffer was called into action again in the 35th minute to stop Benson after a long ball caused confusion in the Hawks’ defense.

Despite moments of promise from both sides, the first half ended goalless.

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Second Half: Hawkins Breaks the Deadlock

Whitehawk began the second half with renewed vigor, bringing on Tyrese Sutherland for George Taggart. Charlie Walker’s curling free kick in the 58th minute forced Mitch Bromage into a sensational double save to keep the score level.

The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute when a perfectly delivered corner found Henry Hawkins. Rising highest, the defender powered a header past Bromage to give Whitehawk the lead.

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Late Drama but No Equaliser

Haywards Heath responded with energy, pushing for an equaliser. Substitute Rob Clark added fresh legs, while Benson’s combative play earned him a booking. Whitehawk’s defense, marshaled by Andrew Briggs and Will Seager, stood strong against the late onslaught.

Jerry O’Sullivan almost made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute, but his cross-turned-shot rattled the post. Haywards Heath’s last chance of the match—a speculative long-range effort—sailed harmlessly over, sealing their fate.

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Match Summary

• Lineups

  Whitehawk Starting XI:

  1. Will Huffer
  2. Jerry O’Sullivan 🟨 (57’)
  3. Oscar Borg
  4. Andrew Briggs
  5. Will Seager
  6. Henry Hawkins ⚽ (67’)
  7. Kai Jennings
  8. Emmanuel Mensah
  9. Charlie Walker (C) 🟨 (65’)
  10. George Taggart
  11. Moe Shubbar

  Substitutes:
  12. Jamie Rice (ON 90+1’)
  14. Tyrese Sutherland (ON 45’)
  15. Eugene Asike (ON 80’)
  16. Terrell Joseph (ON 76’)

  Haywards Heath Town Starting XI:

  1. Mitch Bromage
  2. Max Blencowe 🟨 (57’)
  3. Dan Cadman
  4. Finn Daniels-Yeoman (C)
  5. Josh Spinks
  6. Jack Meeres
  7. Liam Benson 🟨 (78’)
  8. Byron Napper
  9. Faris Khallouqi
  10. Alex Plummer
  11. Lewis Finney

  Substitutes:
  12. Rob Clark (ON 86’)
  13. Teddy Wood (ON 22’)
  16. Danny Barker (ON 88’)

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• Attendance: 114

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Whitehawk’s victory, courtesy of Hawkins’ decisive header, sends them into the next round of the Sussex Senior Cup. Attention now turns back to league action as the Hawks aim to build momentum. #COYH 🦅

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