Hawks XI visit Alton

Tue Aug 4, 2009 : 11:11

A Hawks XI side managed by Stu Page took on Alton Town last week while the first team were at Bognor, losing 2-1.

With the first team playing at Bognor, this was a match that allowed Pagey to blood more of his youngsters alongside some of the more experienced players/trialists against a well organised Alton side. However, without diminishing Alton’s excellent game plan and execution, the Hawks never really established themselves and some below par performances from some of the older lads made the game a great deal more even. It was interesting that many lads who have played at youth academy level for Pagey both at Farnborough and at H&W featured for Alton, such as Lee McGavin, Paul Preston and Ben Roberts as well as current young Hawks Academy trialist, Craig Reed.

The game on the whole was played at good pace throughout and both sides had their fair share of opportunities in front of goal. The Hawks could claim to have had the lion’s share of these opportunities without perhaps having the lion’s share of possession first half as Alton played a very good and patient ‘keep ball’ game. Alistair Wiltshire and Jorge Lopez both went close to opening the scoring early on but good solid defending and some good shot stopping from the Alton keeper kept the Hawks at bay.

First goal of the night went to Alton after 20 minutes from a well executed corner. Simple and straight forward, they launched a vicious inswinger which just cleared Guy Butters at the heart of the Hawks defence only to be met perfectly by one of Alton’s centre halves, giving young Aaron King no chance in the Hawks goal. From then on the Hawks up’d their game. Craig Robson in the heart of the Hawks midfield was left with a big area to hold but still managed to make some excellent piercing diagonals that stretched Alton. Pagey made his first substitution of the night on 35 minutes, bringing on Tyler Albury for Curtis Hunter on the left side of midfield. This seemed to do the trick as another pin point ball from Robson found Albury. His low driven cross was met by Lopez who’s shot rifled off the post to the feet of Wiltshire who calmly struck home the rebound.

Half time: Alton Town 1 – 1 Hawks IX

Early into the second half both sides made a raft of changes although this didn’t halt the pace and creativity of the game. Alton grew in confidence and started to exert their greater experience which the Hawks struggled at times to keep up with. Deon Newby was replaced up front by Lopez with Baldacchino coming on, on the right hand side for a 20 minute cameo role to test his comeback-fitness.

Alton scored the decisive winning goal on 73 minutes with another well executed corner. The ball was driven low across the edge of the 18 yard area which was simply played first time into the box to an unmarked player who rifled the ball home from close range. From then on Alton kept possession well and made the Hawks do a lot of chasing. The Hawks did have a 5 minute period late on where they forced Alton into some basic errors but were unable to seriously worry the home side as they ran out deserved winners by the odd goal.

Notable performances for the Hawks came in the form of Guy Butters - as ever solid and unruffled as he helped young Academy centre half Tom Froggatt through an excellent debut. Craig Robson continues to show what an excellent prospect he is for the future whilst Harry Gilbert - who replaced Robson after 60 minutes - had a terrific 30 minutes in the heart of the Hawks midfield. Some of the youngsters performances has now given Pagey much food for thought as his thinks about his squad to face Portsmouth Academy tomorrow night at West Leigh Park (KO 7.00pm), and gives him great confidence that the Academy will have another good season this year.

Hawks IX side:

1. Aaron King (Bradley Judge 80),
2. Tom Shepherd (Khalid Al-Shantir 70),
3. Liam Crosswell (Ben Morris 80),
4. Craig Robson (Harry Gilbert 60),
5. Guy Butters,
6. Tom Froggatt,
7. Jorge Lopez,
8. Michael Ascere (Conor McLengan 70),
9. Alistair Wiltshire
10. Deon Newby (Alex Baldacchino 55), (Jack Jones 75)

Stu Page


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