Oxford Hawks Men’s 1’s vs ISCA 1s – 06.10.24

With an early start and a good week of training behind them, Hawks travelled down to Devon to take on Isca. A firm team talk was had to remind us to stick to our principals (which won’t be disclosed in case future opposition are reading this).

The first half saw the a strong display from Hawks with Rafe Lochore finding space at the top of the D and unleashing a reverse hard into the bottom corner. Later on it was Julian Laird writing his name on the score sheet. The ball was fired across the goal with Hawks players lining up at the back post, but it was Julian who got the much needed touch into the top left. However, there was still work to be done as Isca pulled it back to 2-2 with goals in quick succession. A scramble at the back post saw them get their first. The second was described by Rob Dunnill as “you won’t see a goal like that for the rest of the season”. With a 80 yard reverse down the line before being fired into the D for a tight angled deflection sneaking in at the near post.

Hawks knew not to be disheartened as for the most part they had been the stronger side and had to focus on playing their game.

The second half started off cagey with neither team wanting to give an inch and it took until the final quarter to see hawks take the lead, once again, with a stroke being dispatched by Jack Hobbs. Instead of shrinking into deep defence, Hawks pushed further wanting more which saw Ed Ellis get his second goal of the season with a shot off a short corner sneaking under the keeper to make it 4-2. With a tense last 5 minutes, Hawks stayed resilient seeing out a 4-2 win to be proud of.

A good platform to build off of going forward for Hawks as we now prepare for Clifton Robinsons at home next Sunday.