Oxford Hawks Mens 6’s vs Oxford 5s – 19.10.24

An early Saturday start at Headington School saw the Hawks Development team take on Oxford M5's who had beaten them 5-0 in a pre-season friendly less than 6-weeks ago.  Hawks started well with the younger members of the side setting the tone for a slick passing game and after 4 minutes Paul Scragg roofed a shot from just inside the D maintaining the pressure on the Oxford defence.  Despite 13 circle penetrations to 4 and excellent defensive play by Finn Heide, Will Kelly and Damon Trigg in goal, Hawks attacks were continuously thwarted by an in-form Oxford goalkeeper and half-time remained 1-0.  Andy Clarke who remains sidelined with injury gave the half time team talk encouraging the team to keep doing what they were doing, focus on outcomes in the D and to try to keep hold of the ball even more (as if we weren't trying already - lol).  Anyway it did the trick, Gabrielle Richmond fed James Finlayson who slipped the ball past the goalkeeper for 2-0. Oxford tried to put pressure on but the Hawks defence stood firm, superbly marshalled by Hutts and Pablo.  Ollie Taylor having a brilliant game in midfield then broke into the D and found Jules Easterbrook who finished for 3-0, then did exactly the same thing again for 4-0. Mason was also part of this passing move and listenening to Clarkey’s half time words intelligently passed the ball in the D. Unfortunately the clean sheet was thwarted late on by a deflected short corner, but it did little to dampen spirits, even when Jules Easterbrook was heard to shout he didn't want to be passed the ball again in a clear attempt to avoid hat-trick penalties, with that the match finished with a 4-1 victory. Thanks to Oxford HC for post match pizzas. MOM Ollie Taylor.