Fleetwood Hawks Vs HGLFC Hawks (15/09/19)

It was the Hawk's first away game of the season and one where they were hoping to bag their first win. For today's game Eve Hadley went in goal. Izzy Dunne, Meadow Young, and Zoe Green went in defence with Poppy Millard, Isabelle Fearnhead, and Emily Blackburn in midfield. Alex Wilkinson and Fern Ashworth went up front with Tia Thompson, Abby Bingham, and Eloise Freer starting as subs.

The game started strong and even with both teams matching each other at both ends of the pitch. Dunne was excellent in defence with her usual pushing forward approach whilst Fearnhead provided solid cover in midfield. Both teams had a number of chances and Hadley pulled off some good saves from a strong attacking Fleetwood side. It was Fleetwood who found the net first on 13 minutes after a penalty awarded for one of those unfortunate handballs which meets the rule but not the context of play. Thompson, Bingham and Freer all joined the game on 15 minutes. The first half continued how it started with both teams working well from the back to quick runs on goal. Ashworth and Blackburn worked well as an attacking pair and had a couple of chances from some well-placed corners from Millard. Towards the end of the first half it was Fleetwood Hawks who were the stronger side winning more of the 50/50 chances and scoring their second on 28 minutes.

Haslingden Hawks started the second half well with Wilkinson having a couple of chances and Bingham also pushing hard up front. Green and Young worked well in defence against a very strong side who were both quick and organised. Thompson and Freer, although new to the Haslingden Hawks, fitted in well and added to the positive play in the second half. A goal didn't feel too far away from either team but it was the Haslingden Hawks who were awarded on 40 minutes when Blackburn scored a well-deserved goal making it 2 - 1. The following period of play provided a great game for the spectators with both teams having excellent chances. It very much felt like an equaliser was coming for the Haslingden Hawks and they certainly dug in to try and find that second goal. Unfortunately it was the Fleetwood Hawks who scored the last goal of the game on 51 minutes; final score being 3 - 1.

The loss was difficult to take as the girls worked hard and have shown a huge improvement from last week's game. They had a strategy and stuck to it without giving up. Coach Tim tried out some new positions for this game which has enabled him to prepare for the next game in training. This game could have definitely gone the other way and the girls have some clear areas to focus on in terms of strength and winning balls. Hadley was awarded player of the match for her good saves and strong vocal leadership. Forward to next week Hawks!