Betley FC Hawks in tough battle at Holmes Chapel

The first outing in our away kit took us to Holmes Chapel Hurricanes. With Finley W out until next weekend, the boys knew that tenacity and aggression were going to be essential for today’s game.
The Hurricanes set up very defensive with four across the back, giving us a new and slightly unexpected challenge. Both teams had a cautious start with not much to choose between the two sides in the opening period.

Will G captained the team and led well with a good work ethic, lots of grit and determination - making good runs down the right side and launching some good crosses into the box.
Good decision making from Jude CR gave us good options – getting the ball to our midfield and also building out calmly from the back with our fullbacks Rowan CR and Harry B - both putting in a great shift today – linking up well with our midfielders.

Whilst the game felt quite scrappy at times, not helped by the slower choppier surface, our midfielders dug deep. Our ‘engine room’ comprising Will G, Charley HJ, Joseph B, Louie A and Jack D played well in midfield – all engaging and working hard in their 1-on-1 battles and we were getting success – good interceptions, well timed tackles, nicking the ball back, slowing them down and hindering their progress. Louie A, who struggled with a painful knee early on, managed to transform his approach in the second half – putting in a determined box-to-box (almost ‘Grealish-like’) performance.

It was a good, determined performance from everyone against a team using physicality and also with a good work ethic to try and get the upper hand. We were rewarded for our pressing with goals from Jacob S and Joseph B to bring us in 2-1 up at half-time.

The Hurricanes started the second half well and brought the score level. They were denied another goal as Louis B made a brilliant finger-tip save – a photo of which would have made the Sunday’s main sports news pages.

Our resilience, determination and increasing pressure paid off and who more deserved than Isaac G who had an excellent game ‘sweeping up’ at the back - stepped up to take a free-kick from long range – and the ball found its way through a multitude of players into the back of the net.

One week after a game full of chances, was a game with far fewer opportunities but this week we took our chances. Jacob S who had being making lots of well-timed runs all game, made sure with a fourth goal to take the game beyond their reach.

It might have been a scrappy game but it was a determined performance worthy of the good result! The Holmes Chapel coaches made some good comments about our football which was good to hear.

Well done Hawks!
P.S. Lots still to work on in training… and on that note… Matt J (our fantastic ‘Everton-fan’ coach) has very kindly offered to explain ‘the new offside rule’ to us all which was redefined at Goodison Park yesterday!