Welcome to the Redhawks match report service

Our first matches of 2012 were the return home games against Wadhurst on a crisp, sunny January 28 morning.  We were at full strength, although both Alf and Jasper were carrying injuries that left them less mobile than usual.

We started the first game strongly but then fell behind against the run of play when a long-range Wadhurst shot bobbled in front of the unfortunate Ben in goal and trickled in.  The boys soon picked themselves up, however, with Zach running the midfield and Alex working hard to make runs upfront.  At the back, Hal and Jasper looked very solid.  Before long, Alf picked up the ball on the right hand side and played a cross field ball for Jonte to finish clinically with his left foot.  Half time:  Redhawks 1 (Jonte): Wadhurst 1.

In the second half, Redhawks began to dominate the game.  Zach, Alex and Jonte were exploiting our tactic of playing the ball into the space on the wings brilliantly.   Finn came on up front and went close with a long range shot while Matt and Ben made a number of interceptions at the back to stop any Wadhurst attacks.  The winning goal seemed inevitable and it came with 5 minutes to go as Zach picked up a clearance on the edge of the box and sent a rocket shot past the goalkeeper.  Final score:  Redhawks 2 (Jonte, Zach):  Wadhurst 1.  Man of the match: Zach.

The second game seemed like groundhog day as the Redhawks started strongly but then fell behind to a breakaway goal as the Wadhurst striker ran the length of the pitch to score.  Again, though, the team showed great resilience and before long Alf played in Jonte with a trademark through pass and Jonte fired the equaliser.  Jasper and Matt on the wings were troubling Wadhurst with several surging runs.  At the end of one,  Jasper simply looked up and decided to fire a shot into the top corner from miles out.  Half time: Redhawks 2 (Jonte, Jasper): Wadhust 1.

In the second half we played some great passing football and dominated possession.  Zach and Hal at the back supported the midfield brilliantly and Alf, Alex, Matt and Fin in midfield passed the ball Barcelona-style.  A run from Alex won a corner on the right;  Alf put in a dangerous cross and Fin tapped in a third goal at the far post.  The final five minutes were all about Ben who had come out of goal to play upfront.  First, he picked up a pass from Alf on the edge of the area and fired a fourth goal into the corner.  Then he intercepted a Wadhurst goal kick and calmly slotted in a fifth.  A great team performance.  Final score: Redhawks 5 (Jonte, Jasper, Fin, Ben 2): Wadhurst 1.  Man of the match: Ben.  Season goals:  Jonte: 7; Finley: 7; Ollie: 6; Ben: 5; Alex: 4; Zach 4; Alf: 2; Jasper: 2; Nicholas: 1.

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Our final matches of 2011 were away at Chipstead on 3 December.  We were severely depleted, missing Ollie, Finley, Ben and Zach but Matt was back after his broken arm and the Giants kindly lent us Sam and Nicholas, who both played brilliantly.

In the first match, we started strongly with Alex making some fine runs up front and going close with a couple of shots.  Matt, Jonte and Alf were battling well in midfield and Hal and Sam formed a solid new partnership at the back.  When Chipstead did break through, Jasper made a couple of great saves in goal.  Just before half time, Alfred played in Alex down the right wing and his fine cross was met with an unstoppable shot by Jonte in the middle.  Unfortunately, however, the lead was short lived as the Chipstead striker scored with a long-range shot  that gave Jasper no chance.  Half time: Redhawks 1: Chipstead 1.

We kept the same line-up in the second half and began to dominate the game, with Alf pulling the strings in midfield.  Sam and Hal were now proving unbeatable in defence and Alf and Alex both went close with shots from Jonte’s penetrating corners.  Matt, despite not feeling 100%, made a great comeback after his long absence, particularly with his tigerish tackling.  Despite a number of chances, however, we couldnt find the winning goal.  Final score:  Redhawks 1 (Jonte), Chipstead 1.  Man of the match: Alf.

As usual, the Redhawks improved in the second game against probably the stronger Chipstead side.  Redhawks started on the back foot, with Chipstead winning a couple of corners.  Hal made a fine save in goal and fortunately the rebound went just wide.  Then Nicholas – replacing Sam in defence – cleared off the line.  Slowly, however, Alf began to win control of midfield and play in passes for Alex, Jonte and Jasper to make penetrating runs.  At the back, Matt’s tackling and interceptions were again key. Alex and Alf both went close and Jasper hit the post directly from a corner.  Half time: Redhawks 0: Chipstead 0.

In the second half, Jonte went upfront and soon began to give Chipstead trouble with his pace.  Matt and Jasper at the back were dominating the Chipstead forwards, giving Alf and Alex space to construct a series of Redhawks attacks.  Alf released Jonte down the middle with one killer pass and Jonte fired home our first goal.  The second came quickly afterwards as Alex and Alf combined down the right wing before Nicholas – now playing in midfield- slotted the ball underneath the Chipstead goallie - what a debut for the Redhawks!  Redhawks were now on fire and Jonte added a third in injury time, running the length of the pitch before firing into the corner.  Final score: Redhawks 3 (Jonte 2, Nicholas), Chipstead 0.  Man of the match: Jonte.

So a couple of great Redhawks performances and special mentions to Matt on his comeback and to our guest Redhawks Sam and Nicholas. Season goals:  Ollie: 6; Finley: 6; Jonte 5, Alex 4; Ben 3, Zach 3, Alf 2. Jasper 1, Nicholas 1.

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On 26 November we played at home against Sevenoaks on muddy pitches that made playing very hard work – but the boys rose to the challenge brilliantly.

The first match started evenly.   Alf and Jasper looked very solid at the back and Zach won some fine tackles in midfield but the pitch hampered our passing game.  Our closest effort was when Alex worked our short corner routine for Jonte to shoot but the goalie made a good save.  Half time:  Redhawks 0:  Sevenoaks 0.

We started the second half strongly and within a minute Jasper opened the scoring when he picked up the ball from a Sevenoaks goal kick and fired a fantastic long-range shot into the top corner.  Jasper was now on fire upfront and came close to adding a second after a tricky dribble.  Again Hal and Zach were combining well in defence, although Ben needed to make a fine diving save twice from – of all people – our centre forward Jasper who seemed determined to score at both ends!  Fin, Alex and Jonte began to play some good stuff in midfield, with Alf adding a fine run and shot after he replaced Fin.  In the end, it was a more comfortable win than the scoreline suggested. Redhawks 1 (goal: Jasper): Sevenoaks 0.  Man of the match:  Jasper.

As usual, the Redhawks improved in the second game, with Alf and Fin tormenting Sevenoaks down the wings and Alex bossing the midfield, making some fine passes.  Jonte had already gone close on a couple of occasions before one of his shots from Alf’s fine cross was brilliantly saved by the Sevenoaks keeper but the ball broke to Alex who fired home an opening goal.  Sevenoaks, however, were also looking good going forwards and seemed certain to score from one break before Alf, having sprinted the length of the pitch to get back, made a last ditch tackle.  Half time:  Redhawks 1:  Sevenoaks 0.

The second half was end-to-end and highly entertaining.  Jasper made a couple of fine saves to preserve our lead but the ball then broke to Alf who ran down the left wing, beating the Sevenoaks defender.  Although everyone (including me) expected him to cross, he instead curled a fine shot from a narrow angle into the corner to double our lead.  Sevenoaks came back and one of their shots fortunately came back off our cross bar and post.  Ben, Hal and Fin all made tackles and interceptions to keep the clean sheet and Jasper was having a great game in goal.  But the Redhawks were also making chances themselves.  Zach made a fine forward run and won a throw in an advanced position.  He took it quickly, exchanges passes with Alf and crossed for Alex to fire home his second goal of the game.  We were flattered by the scoreline but it was a great game.  Redhawks 3 (Alex 2, Alf)  Sevenoaks 0. Man of the match: Alex.

So a couple of great games despite the conditions with all the boys playing well.  Season goals:  Ollie: 6; Finley: 6; Alex 4; Ben 3, Zach 3, Jonte 2, Alf 2. Jasper 1.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————–On 19 November, we played friendlies away at Tonbridge.

Both games were very close.  In the first match, we started slowly, spending much of the first half defending.  Hal and Jonte were very solid in defence and we limited Tonbridge to a few long range shots.  On the break, Ollie made some good runs and Alex and Finley created one opportunity for Ben, with the Tonbridge keeper making a good save.  Half time:  Tonbridge 0: Redhawks 0.

In the second half, the boys raised their energy level and we began to dominate possession.  Zach won a succession of tackles and Alf and Finley made some good runs down the wings, putting in dangerous crosses.    Tonbridge , however, remained dangerous on the break and Ollie in goal made a couple of very good catches from long range shots.  Alex replaced Jonte up front and he had our best chance from Finley’s cross, shooting powerfully but unfortunately just wide of the post.  We had a couple of late corners but couldnt get a goal and a draw was probably a fair result.  Final score:  Tonbridge 0:  Redhawks 0.  Man of the match: Finley.

In the second game, we played 8-a-side, with two strikers.  The game started very competitively, with lots of tough tackling.  We began to put some passes together, with Ollie, Alf and Zach taking control of midfield.  At the back, Hal and Finley made some key tackles and Jonte and Alex began tested the Tonbridge defence with some powerful runs.  From an Ollie corner, Zach came very close to scoring the Redhawks first headed goal.  But Zach was not to be denied a couple of minutes later.  Finley made a fine tackle in our penalty area and passed to Alf who ran the length of the pitch before slipping a pass through to Zach who slid in bravely ahead of the Tonbridge keeper to poke the ball into the net.  But the lead was shortlived.  Hal and Alf again tried to pass the ball out of defence but this time the ball broke to a Tonbridge striker, who sent an unstoppable shot past Ben.  Half time:  Tonbridge 1 : Redhawks 1.

The second half continued in a similar end-to-end fashion.  Zach moved into defence and formed a very solid partnership with Hal.  Jonte also worked very hard in midfield to track back and tackle Tonbridge’s dangerous left winger on a couple of occassions.  When Tonbridge did break through, Ben made a couple of smart saves.  Upfront Ollie was tormenting their defence down the left and from his cross, our two strikers Alex and Finley almost combined to set up the winner, with a last ditch tackle saving them.  Then Alf showed great skill to beat two Tonbridge players on the edge of the area but his left footed shot lacked power.  Just as it looked like another draw, Jonte won another corner down the left.  Ollie swung in a dangerous ball and Finley forced the ball over the line, with the Tonbridge keeper’s desperate dive only carrying the ball into the net.  Final score:  Tonbridge 1: Redhawks 2 (goals:  Zach, Finley).  Man of the match: Zach.

So a win and a draw from two very close and enjoyable games. Season goals:  Ollie: 6; Finley: 6; Ben 3, Zach 3, Jonte 2, Alex: 2, Alf ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

Our Guy Fawkes Day matches were home against Sevenoaks.

We started the first match slowly against a Sevenoaks team with some very talented and some very big players.  We went 1: 0 down after a couple of minutes to a fine shot which gave Jasper no chance in goal.  But Zach, Alf and Alex began to get into the game in midfield and, after Alf was tripped on the right wing, Ben fired home an equaliser from Alf’s dangerous low cross. Sevenoaks came back at the Redhawks, however, and went ahead again following a fine flowing move.  Half time: RedHawks 1, Sevenoaks 2.   Sevenoaks started the second half equally strongly and Ben in goal did well to narrow the angle and force one shot wide.  But slowly the Redhawks began to battle their way back into the game, with Zach and Hal winning tackles at the back; Ollie, Fin and Alex beginning to link passes in midfield and Jonte making some powerful forward runs.  In the last few minutes we came desperately close to an equaliser as Jonte and Fin both had openings.  But remarkably the second half ended with no further goals.  So a narrow defeat and, to be fair, the better team won – although we very nearly battled back to nick a draw at the end.  Final Score:  Redhawks 1 (Ben), Sevenoaks 2.  Man of the match:  Ben (for a great goal and 2nd half clean sheet in goal)

In the second game, Redhawks put in a stronger performance, passing the ball very well and playing with more energy.  Alf began to boss the centre midfield and Alex and Jasper made some strong runs along the wings.  At the back, Hal and Zach were very strong and the Redhawks pinned Sevenoaks back into their own half, winning a series of corners.  It was no surprise when Alex played in Jonte and he made no mistake with a cool, right-footed finish.  Alex then very nearly added a second with a long range lob that their goalie managed to scramble off the goal line. Half time:  Redhawks 1: Sevenoaks 0.  The second half went down to 6-a-side as one Sevenoaks player had to go home.  The extra space seemed to suit our game as Ollie, Alf and Fin put together some nice passing moves.  Meanwhile, Alex and Hal were able to block most Sevenoaks attacks at the half way line and then come forward to support.  On one foray forwards, Alex had a long shot that fizzed just wide.  Then Alf broke down the right and squeezed a lovely cross field pass into Ollie’s path; Ollie surged into the area and finished emphatically.  After that, it was all Redhawks as Fin put Ollie through only to be thwarted by a fine, last ditch tackle;  and their goalie made a smart save at the end from Alf’s fierce shot.  Final score:  Redhawks 2 (Jonte, Ollie) : Sevenoaks 0.  Man of the match:  Hal (for some fantastic tackles and interceptions).

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Another glorious sunny October morning (the 29th) saw the visit of Rusthall to Langton for the local derby!

Our third matches were away again against old rivals Ridgewaye on 15 October.  We have played these teams a number of times and usually come out on top but always close – this was no different.  Again, we were depleted with Matt out until December and Jasper also missing.

The first match started very evenly.  Hal and Alex were solid in defence and Ben pulled off a couple of good saves.  At the other end, Ollie and Alf went close with shots as Zach drove us forward from midfield.  But it was very tight and 0:0 at half time.

The Redhawks began to get on top in the second half, with Finley adding aggression on the right and making some great passes.   Ollie got the first goal – his fifth of the season – shooting coolly into  the corner from the edge of the penalty area.  And within a minute, it was 2:0 as Finley picked up a Ridgewaye goal kick, surged forward and hit a lovely shot into the goal with the outside of his foot.  Redhawks were now on top and Jonte was unlucky to be denied by a couple of great saves after being put through by Alf.  Alf completed the scoring, picking up the ball on the edge of the box from a corner and spinning to shoot underneath the goalie.  Final score:  Ridgewaye: 0, Redhawks 3 (Ollie, Finley, Alf).  Man of the match:  Zach.

The second game was even tougher, with the Redhawks initially struggling to cope with a strong Ridgewaye team.  Hal, Ben and Zach made last ditch tackles and Alf pulled off a fine save with his feet in his unfamiliar position of goalie.  The tackles were flying in on both sides and both Alex and Finley got kicks on the leg.  Zach was everywhere in midfield and slowly the Redhawks began to get into the game with Ollie making a couple of strong runs down the wing.  But we were happy to get to half-time at 0:0.

Again though the second half belonged to the Redhawks.  With Zach continuing to win the tackles and Finley and Hal making fine passes out of defence, Alf and Jonte began to dictate the game.  And the first goal came with Alf’s cross shot  from the right wing being turned in at the far post by Jonte’s deft flick – Jonte up and running for the season.  Then Ridgewaye equalised from close range.  It was clear that the next goal would be the winner and Alex – now recovered from his knock – came on in midfield for Zach.  With a few minutes to goal, Alf picked up the ball in his own half, drove forward and showed fantastic skill on the ball to beat two defenders and pull the ball back from the goal line.  Ben’s shot was blocked but super-sub Alex was there to fire in the winner.  A great win for the Redhawks!  Ridgewaye: 1,  Redhawks 2 (Jonte, Alex).  Man of the match:  Alf.

So another couple of great games in the sunshine and the boys played fantastically to come out on top in both, with Alex, Jonte and Alf scoring their first goals of the season.  Season goals:  Ollie: 5; Finley: 3; Ben, Zach, Alf, Jonte, Alex: 1.

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Our second matches of the 2011/12 season were away at Wadhurst on 8 October.  We were a depleted squad, missing Matt – a broken arm – and Alex.

The boys started well, with the small pitch suiting our Barcelona short passing game but equally Jasper troubling the keeper with a huge defensive clearance from our own half!  We deservedly took the lead late in the first half.  After a fine passing move saw Alf cross from the right, Jonte’s shot was saved by their keeper but Zach followed up to score our first of the season and his first for the Redhawks.  Half time:  Red Hawks 1: Wadhurst 0.

Early in the second half Wadhurst equalised and for a couple of minutes it looked like our heads might be going down.  But the boys pulled it together and Ollie regained the lead with a fine long range shot.  Within minutes, it was 3:1 as Ollie crossed from the left for Finley to open his account for the Redhawks with a firm finish.  Wadhurst came back again to make it 3: 2 but Hal and Jonte stood firm at the back and Ben made a fine save to preserve our lead.  Then we sealed the victory as Alf and Jasper combined down the right to set up Ollie with an open goal.  He tucked it away to score his second.  Final score:  Red Hawks 4 (Ollie 2, Finley, Zach);  Wadhurst 2.  Man of the match: Ollie.

We started like a steam train in the second game, raining in shots on their goal as Jonte hit the post from Alf’s cross and then Alf shot just wide from long range.  We won a corner and Finley got a touch off his thigh/chest (?) that sent the ball into the top corner for Finley’s second Red Hawks goal in as many games.  Almost straight from the re-start, we went 2: 0 up as Jonte’s defence-splitting pass put Ollie through to tuck away his third of the day.  Ollie was now in the groove and he quickly picked up a pass from Alf to fire into the top corner from long-range.  Half time:  Red Hawks 3, Wadhust 0.

Wadhurst came out stronger in the second half and almost scored from the restart, with Jasper making a fine save and Hal needing to make a couple of last ditch tackles.   Then they did score as their centre forward blasted into the corner, injuring Finley in the process.  But we came back, with Zach, Alf and Ollie bossing the midfield.  And just before the final whistle, Alf danced down the right wing and fed Ben who fired into the corner from the edge of the area.  Final score:  Red Hawks 4 (Ollie 2, Finley, Ben), Wadhurst 1.  Man of Match:  Ben.

So Red Hawks back to winning ways, playing some great stuff against a couple of strong Wadhurst teams and the shooting practice before kick off really paid off with Ollie on fire and Zach and Fin both scoring their first Red Hawks goals.   Looking forward to Ridgewaye next week!  (season goals:  Ollie 4, Finley 2, Ben and Zach 1).

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Our first matches of the new season as under 8s were against a well organised and talented couple of East Grinstead teams at home on Saturday 24th September.

The boys started the first game strongly with Alf, Ollie and Jonte combining well upfront to set up a chance for Jonte which was well saved by the East Grinstead goalkeeper.  Finley in particular was a revelation in midfield with some tigerish tackling and skill on the ball.  But as East Grinstead got into their stride our defense was put to the test, with Jasper and Hal remaining resolute and putting in some strong tackles and interceptions.  At half time it was 0:0.    In the second half, Ollie and Finley moved into defence, with Alex, Matt and Zach in midfield and Ben upfront.  We continued to play some good, passing football and Ben nearly got through onto a long drop kick from Jasper.  But East Grinstead were also pressing and Jasper made a couple of good saves in goal.  Then terrible luck!  A long range shot from East Grinstead looked like it was going well wide but unfortunately Finley was in the wrong place at the wrong time and had no chance of getting his hands out of the way.  The ref said penalty and Jasper had no chance as the ball went into the top corner.  We tried hard to get the equaliser but time ran out.  Final result:  Redhawks 0:  East Grinstead 1.  Man of Match: Finley.

We also started the second game well, pressing forward and winning a number of corners.  Our rehearsal of some corner routines nearly paid off as Matt, playing upfront, just failed to reach a chance at the far post from Jonte’s cross.  Then a sublime passing move saw Alf set up Zach on the edge of the area but his shot fizzed just wide.  Unfortunately Ben had to go off with an injury but Ollie filled in and our defence continued to look solid with Hal making some good interceptions and clearances.  Half time:  0:0.    Again we started the second half well, with Alex, Zach and Finley making their mark in midfield and Jasper making some surging runs upfront.  Alf and Jonte now looked solid at the back and Alf showed off his skills by Cruyffing the East Grinstead winger on the touchline and making a strong run up the wing.  When East Grinstead did get through, Ollie pulled off a fine save.  Then bad luck hit us again:  a goal kick was deflected into the path of their striker and, despite Alf’s desperate attempted block, he was able to hit his shot into the open goal.  Again, we went for the equaliser but ran out of time.  Final result:  Redhawks 0:  East Grinstead 1.  Man of Match: Zach.
So, two defeats to two unlucky goals and the ball wouldnt go in the net for us.  But nonetheless, we played some great stuff, worked well as a team and the boys all did really well to play two great games against really strong opposition.