Oxford Hawks Mens 5’s vs Stains 3s – 30.11.24

It was a bright and early start for the 5’s on Saturday with Mr. Sobey showing off his teaching credentials in the classroom in a pre-game whiteboard session. The session was highlighted insights in pressing, out letting down the line and by reminding certain players we do in fact play 442. With the ambition set that we’d need to score first, Hawks set off at a frenetic intensity in the first 10 minutes. Josh opened the scoring with a textbook “from the training ground” deflection… that is if the 5’s actually attended training. Staines were quick to reply with a breakdown in the press leaving Hawks exposed and an overload in the D. It was 1-1 and half time was approaching. After a darting run on the counter attack from Sobey, it fell to Greg just outside the D who won a totally uncontroversial and deserved penalty flick. Greg proved to have ice in the veins as he cooly converted from the spot to put Hawks ahead at the break.

The start to the second half was encouraging. With some pointers on the press and a renewed energy, a forced error from Staines turned over possession in the first minutes. This led to a “ugly zone” goal by Jack Sobey, proving a versatile and impactful player with and without the pads. As the second half dragged on, the continual question of “umpire how long left” arose as the defence tired. What followed was a barrage of short corners. With Staines ramping up the pressure, special mentions go to Phil for denying the visitors from converting their corners and to Finn and Theo for spectacular on the line saves. However, just before the final whistle Staines finally got through the Hawks defence to make it 3-2.

Our man of the match went to Finn. With a combination of a collected yet creative touch on the ball with brave and measured defending, he provided a much needed burst of energy on the counter and a pair of safe hands at the back. Special mentions go to Theo, playing a full 70 on his way back from an injury is an absolute heroic effort and played a very controlled and confident game at full half. Phil additionally kept us in the game on many occasion and directed the defence like a virtuosic conductor.

Dick of the day went to Charlie for a catalogue of weird moments. Including but not limited to:

- Lack of basic motor skills in the warm up

- Impassioned cry of "ice in the veins" when Greg scored the flick

- Offering the umpires a AAA battery when their radios ran out of power

- Thinking Edd's nickname was Gilo