Thursday 12th July 2007

1st Grade: Hawkesbury 2 Balmain 1

Playing a side favoured to be in the play off’s and at the top of the table in the first of five games the Hawks have to play over the next ten days was a daunting task but the team took it in its stride as they continued with the good form shown in recent weeks.

An early surge by Balmain saw the Hawks camped in their own half as they sort the passing rhythm required to maintain possession for longer periods.  Once settled the side started to turn the well balanced opposition around and provide attacking opportunities for strikers Marc Sluiter and Paul Cooper. Almost against the run of play, on the half hour mark, Balmain gained a free kick from 35m out that was scrambled in at the near post to take the lead.  Looking at a long evening, knowing the strength of the opposition defence, the side struck back immediately with a well crafted passage of play that ended with Jim Vasiliou slotting home the equaliser for a half time score of 1-1 reflecting the closeness of the game. The second half was one of few chances as both sides neutralised each other s attacks with some fine defence for the Hawks from the Dean Bertenshaw led defence of Nathan Gray, Luke Ryman and Paul Cooper. With Rob Carle and Rob Balantincz constantly thwarting the opposition midfield and setting up play through wide players Luke Vanderburg and Jim Vasiliou the chance came as Marc Sluiter ran onto a through ball from midfield to score the winning goal. 

Man of the match was shared between Nathan Gray and Luke Ryman.

Reserve Grade: Hawkesbury 0 Balmain 1

Confronting the undefeated competition leaders, and short of players on the night the side showed why they are I second spot as they gave as good as they got in a fast and entertaining match. With very few clear cut chances to either side, Balmain was a little unlucky to see a first half headed goal disallowed for an infringement. Locked at 0-0 at the half time break the going was tough as the hawks continually ran at the Balmain defence in an attempt to get the elusive goal only to see Balmain awarded a penalty half way through the second half that turned out to be the winner. 

Man of the Match was Matt Garrow.