Sunninghill Power Past Hawley...
Today Sunninghill proved to strong for Hawley Select all over the park as they eased to a 5-2 victory in this Premier Division fixture, again fielding a weakened side, Rob Harcup deputised in goal after Reagan injured his hand playing the day before, Zutshi was back in at right back with Forde partnering McDowell at the back as Gurr continued at left back. Charlie Harcup continued on the right and Ali Azarian kept his position on the left, Moutrey and Parker were in the middle behind the front 2 of Bennett and the returning Dave Barron.
The game started fairly evenly with both sides testin each other out without knowing a lot about the opposition, but after the opening period the home side began to show their superiority as Charlie Harcup got forward on the right, and Bennett began to get at the home sides defence, and Barron had the games first chance when his well struck left footed effort was tipped over the bar by the keeper, and from the resulting corner Azarians whipped delivery was powered home by a fine header from captain Dan Parker.
This lifted the home side who then began to create a number of chances before 4 minutes later a great flicked ball from Moutrey released Bennett who clean through brought a good save from the keeper only for the rebound to loop back into the strikers path to volley into an empty net, and 3 minutes later a great team effort made it 3-0, interplay down the left from Gurr and a clever flick from Barron released Bennett down the line and his deep cross was met on the volley by the arriving Charlie Harcup who volleyed into the roof of the net.
Parker and Moutrey continued their dominance in the middle as the home side were well on top and some good passing moves were only lacking the final ball to turn these into clear cut chances, and in the final minute of the first half Gurr tripped a Hawley striker in the area and Hawleys first real chance was put wide from the penalty spot with Harcup guessing the right way.
Hawley came out in the second half looking fired up, and were looking for an immediate response but within 30 seconds the game was over as a contest, as the ball was won back in the Hawley half Ali Azarian flicked a square ball to Bennett who took a touch past his man and fired an unstoppable left footed volley into the top right corner from 25 yards, 4-0 with 44 minutes still remaining.
The Sunninghill back line were still looking solid with Forde and McDowell not letting the Hawley create anything, although the young no 10 was full of running he couldnt find a way past McDowell, as the game continued with the tempo slowed but Sunninghill still well on top, Bennett had a chance for the hat trick but could only fire wide when well place, before Charlie Harcup stung the keepers hands with a powerful drive from the edge of the area, Forde and Azarian soon made way as Clinton Harcup and Chris Reaan making his outfield debut entered the field.
Hawley got a lucky break on 65 mins when a free kick from the half way line decieved the stand in keeper and dipped under the bar, similar to that of David Seaman in the Cup Winners Cup final, this goal seemed to lift Hawley as they began to commit players forward but still could not create any clear cut chances.
With 12 minutes left a corner on the right was whipped in perfectly by Clinton Harcup and Paul McDowell clearly enjoyed his moment as he leapt well above the rest of the packed area to plant a powerful header past the keeper.
With 5 minutes left Hawley had a goal disallowed for offside after a scramble in the area, before finally with 2 minutes remaining they got their second when Gurr gave away his second penalty of the match, this time their was no mistake made as their skipper sent Harcup the wrong way.
A solid performance from the team with good contributions all over the pitch, the Defence were solid throughout with Hawley only having one shot on target, the midfield battled well and dominated while the wide players got forward well to support the forwards who ensured Hawley had their hands full for the 90 minutes.
Player Ratings...
Rob Harcup - 7 - Didnt have a lot to do, but communicate well and organised defence
Jai Zutshi - 7 - Slotted in well at right back after spell out, solid defensively and got forward well on the right
Paul McDowell - 8 - Controlled the defence, Didnt give opposite number a sniff and took goal well.
Rob Forde - 7 - Hasseled opposition forwards ensuring they couldnt settle or create anything worthwhile.
John Gurr - 6 - Overall an impressive display but was unlucky to concede 2 penalties. Booked
Charlie Harcup - 7 - Plenty Of Energy on the right and chipped in with well taken goal.
Dan Parker - 8 - Another consistent display, bossed the midfield and finished with another headed goal.
Ben Moutrey - 7 - Broke up the play well and looked to link with the forwards, great ball for second goal.
Ali Azarian - 7 - Kept starting place and worked hard, 2 good assists before tired in second half.
Jon Bennett - 9 - Caused defence problems for 90 minutes and took second goal superbly.
Dave Barron - 7 - First start this year, showed some neat touches after he found his feet and linked up well.
Subs
Chris Reagan - 6 - Outfield debut, tried to get forward before being nackered 10 minutes later!!
Clinton Harcup - 6 - Came on for final 20 minutes and shored up defence, great corner for final goal.
