2008 2009 Under 10 Hawks

RESULTS:

• Sunday 9th November
  League Game
  Abbots Youth 1 NWR Hawks 1
  Scorer Luke Wilson
  MOTM Sam Harris
  

  After the `damp squib' fireworks party the previous evening, this game lit up Bushey CC with an enthralling game of football against Abbots Youth. We got off like `rockets' and within a couple of minutes found ourselves a goal up. Luke Wilson coolly turned in the area and then `fizzed' a shot into the corner of the net. We continued to `sparkle' and passed the ball around beautifully on a pitch which was starting to get rather sticky underfoot. Our continued pressure deserved at least another goal, but sadly we were unable to turn our domination into goals.

  The second half was like a good old cup tie, with both teams giving 100% and the play spinning around like a `Catherine Wheel'. Abbots got themselves level when we failed to clear our lines and they tucked the ball past a helpless Aidan. The boys gave everything and worked really hard to try and get a winner. This should've come when Robbie found himself one on one with their goalie, but he struck his shot the wrong side of the post, this despite the hours of training and the continuous message of `hit the target'. The boys were close to sticking him on the bonfire which was still smouldering! The game ended 1-1. Although it felt like a defeat, we're still unbeaten and yet to find a team that can match us on the ` pure football' front. Well done boys.

• Sunday 2nd November
  League Game
  NWR Hawks 1 Enfield Ranger-Black 0
  Scorer Sam Waller
  MOTM Aidan Barber
  

  With the longest warm up in history lasting over an hour, we finally kicked off against Enfield Rangers-Black, who should be renamed Enfield Ramblers after they first turned up at Radlett CC and then toured other parts of Herts. before finally showing up at Bushey CC.

  The game was, as expected a very tight affair, with a couple of our players not enjoying a more physical (but clean) approach to the game from the visitors. We needed to keep the ball on the move and use our passing abilities to give ourselves the edge and to be fair the boys did this throughout the first half without really creating a clear cut chance. At the other end Aidan made a couple of fine blocks with his body when he found himself in a one on one situation.

  In the second half we had far more of the ball and put it to good use. We created several good openings which seemed either to be blocked en-route to goal or stopped by the very impressive Enfield Rangers keeper. He made one spectacular diving save from a lovely shot from Sam Harris which was destined for the bottom corner. I was starting to think it wasn't going to be our day when, with a couple of minutes left, the keeper, who had just made that great save, took a goal kick which was trapped by the `Bentleyesque' Sam Waller, who, in a flash looked up and struck the ball past the stranded keeper into the net from a good 25 yards out. A hard game won and with the victory putting us top of the league, our future opposition will be even more determined to beat us, starting with Abbots Youth this coming Sunday.

• Sunday 26th October
  League Game
  NWR Hawks 5 London Colney Colts 1
  Scorers Jamie Gerred 2, Sam Waller, Nic Cortes, OG.
  MOTM Nic Cortes
  

  It's a funny old game, as we all woke to the surprising news that `Arry the twitch' had taken the helm at the mighty Spurs, you would think there little else that could surprise us. Well how about this............Jamie scored with his head, so did ` Pav' and the Hawks and Spurs both got 3 deserved points.

  On a very wet Sunday morning the rain subsided to allow us to kick off against London Colney Colts in pretty good conditions. We looked very nervous early on and we struggled to find any momentum. Not until LCC took the lead with a scrappy goal did we start to play any football. We got the equaliser when Nic Cortes worked a short corner with Sam Waller; the resulting cross was glanced into the top corner by Jamie. Not sure who was the most surprised Jamie, Simon or me on the touchline! Just before half time we took a fortunate lead when a long range effort from Sammy Waller was fumbled by the goalie and it squirmed into the net.

  In the second half it was a different story, we knocked the ball around, playing great football and this coupled with a 100% effort from the boys - there was only going to be one winner. The third goal, which really sealed the game, saw a great interchange of passes between Robbie & Nick Wing. Nick pulled it back for man of the match Nic Cortes who coolly controlled the ball and shot into the net giving the keeper no chance.

  Another move down the left minutes later resulted in Jamie hitting a shot which was turned into the net by one of their defenders. Although we were 4-1 up LCC were by no means out of the game. Was it not for great defending by Sam & Luke at the back and lots of chasing back from the likes of Sam, Olly, Robbie & Nic from midfield they could quite easily have got back into the game. We did however get another goal near the end when Jamie completed his brace with a sweet right foot shot after a smart turn. Thanks to Dave Wing who refereed today. And a final comment relating to London Colney; despite not deserving to lose 5-1 they took the defeat well, we don't always see that from other teams, they were a credit to their Manager. Let's hope we show the same dignity when we find ourselves in a similar position.

• Sunday 19th October
  Herts.County Cup Game
  NWR Hawks 6 Cassiobury Rangers Cougars1
  Scorers Nick Wing 3, Robbie Tocher 2, Sam Waller 1
  MOTM Nick Wing
  

  Bizarrely we drew Cassiobury Rangers Cougars who are in our league and division, for this Hertfordshire County Cup game. Being a cup game we decided to try a different formation to see how it might work in our demanding league schedule, so we kicked off in a ?$&*&*?" (protected for obvious reasons!) formation. It seemed to be working as we raced to a 4-0 lead within the first five minutes. Three of the goals came from Nick Wing, the pick of his hat-trick being a hooked volley from the penalty spot which he crashed into the top right hand corner. Robbie chipped in with goal number 3 a typical twist past a defender and a low shot into the corner of the net. As I headed for the club house for a cigar and glass of brandy, Cassiobury Cougars got themselves back into the game with a well taken goal to make the score 4-1 at half time.

  The second half was a far more balanced affair. Cassiobury pushed forward and we struggled to get the upper hand. But as Cassiobury tired, our passing game started to open them up; this resulted in Robbie scoring another goal, almost identical to his first. We continued to press and created chance after chance in the closing minutes. As the game drew to a close another quick passing moved resulted in Robbie crossing perfectly for the arriving Sam Waller who crashed a header into the back of the net from around 6 yards. Great goal, great game, final score 6-1.

• Sunday 12th October 2008
  League Game
  Everett Rovers 1 NWR Hawks 2
  Scorers Jamie Gerred 2
  MOTM Jamie Gerred
  

  On an unbelievably hot & sunny October Sunday, we kicked off our league programme with a tricky game away to Everett Rovers. I knew the game would be tough as I'd had a run down from Oxhey Jets Manager, Dave Warwick who played them the week before a game OJ lost 3-2 at home.

  The pre-match talk was about playing a high tempo passing game combined with 100% effort, Jamie Gerred was given special instructions not to worry about scoring goals, but to try and link the play with our offensive midfield trio of Robbie, Luke (Nic) & Sam W. The game started and it was not, unsurprisingly very competitive, with neither side giving the opposition time on the ball. With no one creating a clear cut chance in the first twenty minutes; the most memorable thing in the first half was Robbie getting a talking too from the Ref about his unintentional "Karate Kid" challenge on one of their players!

  In the second half our football started to pay dividends, as we created several chances with Nic, Jamie and Luke W going particularly close. With around 8 minutes to go we finally got the breakthrough we deserved when a shot from Sam Waller was spilled by the goalie, Jamie was on hand to neatly take it away from the keeper and blast it into the back of the net from a few yards. A couple of minutes later Everett Rovers broke down our right hand side and one of their players coolly slotted the ball into the far corner, giving Aidan little chance.

  Last season an undeserved equaliser like that would have inevitably lead to us losing or holding on for a draw. So you can imagine the euphoria from the NWR sideline when, after Aidan made a brilliant save, throwing himself to his right, we then pressed forward, and neat move involving most of the midfield ended with the ball coming to Jamie's feet in the area. He controlled it, took it passed the last central defender and hit a sweet shot which the keeper could only parry into the net. The extended Gerred family, who were there in numbers, had to be refrained from charging onto the pitch with their deck chairs, such was their joy!

  Although not everyone has got a mention, they all played their part in a superb battling team performance, well done.

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