Reserve Grade:
Let me first set the scene. Saturday 5th April, 2014. Hayes Park. First day of the Premier League season. History ready to be made. Sun glistening on the grass. Ground slightly damp underfoot. This is football.
Boys were ready, there was a nervous anticipation inside the change room and we were looking forward to getting our season off to a good start and setting the tone for the day. The signs were promising and the new boys in the team looked comfortable on the ball. In the first 10 minutes we dominated, had three great chances in the final third but the ball just wouldn’t drop. This is where we will come to learn the difference between Super League and Premier League and that no team will give us easy points and early in the second half we were made to pay for not putting them to the sword early. A dubious free kick was awarded on the right in a dangerous position, the bounce deceived Timmy after being unsighted and we were down 1-0. We took time to get our heads back in the game and lift the intensity but after a thousand substitutions from Redbacks in the final 15 minutes it was too late.
Player of the Round: Luke Basha – had a cracka
M.F.
First Grade:
Hills Hawks 5 – Carlingford Redbacks 0
Finally, the season kicks off for the Hills Hawks club in their first year in the Premier League! After weeks of trials and trainings, the sound of boot on leather was heard across Hayes park once more. After watching ressies gas a game that was all theirs, the Filthy Firsts set about their encounter with the Redbacks. Based on last year’s table anyway, this fixture seemed like a pretty good way to roll the arms over and really see if we were up for it. Unfortunately however, we had suffered from a few injuries/absentees in the last few weeks which resulted in Simon playing defender for the first time in Hawks colours, Ollie debuting in his non-preferred midfield and Shurls making his first appearance in first grade in quite a while. Was going to be an interesting game!
The game started at a fair clip with the both sides trading possession and territory. However, it was the Hawks who first capitalised on some liberal defending with Pullan, Crispo and Tom going close on a number of occasions. Jake then opened his account, collecting a high ball, sliding past defender and slotting home the one on one. Shortly after, the goal scorer turned provider as Jake charged to the by line and whipped a low cross past the keeper to a well-positioned Tom Vriens who cannoned in the homes side’s second!
The second half couldn’t have started any better really as the Hawks side ripped through the Reddies with FatBoy, Jake and Tom all getting on the scoresheet in relatively quick succession. All the goals had a very similar flavour to them coming from wide positions but Tom’s goal was one of the better ones Hayes has ever seen as he volleyed a first time cross into the bottom right corner past a hapless keeper! It wasn’t until we were up 5-0 that we really had to flex our muscles defensively and Camos and Simon repaid Rob’s faith in them with outstanding displays from the back. I don’t even remember Cranskie leaving his feet back there between the sticks – a testament to a good defensive display.
A great way to start the season but certainly nothing to get too excited about!
Player of the Round: Tom Vriens – could’ve gone to any one of us today but Tom’s second goal gets him over the line (just imagine what he’ll do when all that chest hair isn’t weighing him down!)
J.D.
