Oxford Hawks Mens 3’s vs Milton Keynes 1s – 19.10.24

On a warm Saturday afternoon, a heavily changed Hawks 3s arrived at BRN looking to get 3 points and revenge for the final game of last season over Milton Keynes. It was to be such a big game that even Hawks retiree Robbie Scragg made a reappearance to give nothing but positive support from the sidelines.

1st half

The first half started quickly with MK throwing the ball straight to Hawk's defensive corner and with Hawks not being switched on the opposition took advantage, pressed hard and took an early lead before the 2 minute mark had even arrived. Hawks looked to get back into the game, and now aware of the aerial threat which was dealt with excellently by being first underneath it and calling early. Despite this MK soon made the score 2-0 making use of an overload to get the goal. Not to go down without a fight the home team soon got a goal back, Patrick Nagle broke into the attacking D and before he could finish into the top corner (as he obviously would have done) his stick was chopped by a defenders stick and a P-Flick awarded. Having seen the MK defender copy his iconic defensive style, Ben Kirby-Knowlden decided to get in on the action, confidentiality stepping up and slotting the ball away to bring it back to 2-1. Play continued on and with good passages of play where the home team were able to break into the attacking D create good chances but couldn't find that last touch, unlike MK who scored another, making it 3-1 to the away team at half time.

2nd half:

Hawks started stronger in the second half, pressing hard and applying the pressure which soon paid off with Nick Mahon scoring an brilliantly finished play. Shortly after Benedict Yorston brought the home side level and with the pressure continuing to build Hawks got a short corner and with a routine straight off the training ground Jack Cope deflected in the take Hawks into the lead for the first time. Having gone from 3-1 up to 4-3 down tensions in the MK bench were high and the exuberant player coach received a yellow card making it even harder for a now 10 man team to fight back. But fight back they did as with 5 minutes to go Hawks were feeling the strain of only having 3 subs and MK brought it back to 4-4 before the final whistle blew.