"Sports Mail' report No. 1

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Sports Mail Report No 1.
By David Brawn

Published on Sat, March 3rd, 2012

Double cup lift ahead of key battle as Hawks chase promotion prize.

Having sealed their place in two cup finals, the Hawks switch focus to the league tomorrow.

The home clash with Yeovil at Westleigh Park (2pm) represents their big chance to strike a blow in the race for the South West Combination title.

With just one team going up to the Premier League this season, it’s shaping up to be a make-or-break contest.

Second-placed Hawks are nine points below tomorrow’s opponents.

The teams play twice before the season is out but Yeovil know a win would put them within a point of sealing the title.

And anything less than a home win for Hawks would leave Dick Semark’s side needing a miracle run.

Yeovil drew 3-3 with Forest Green last weekend, coming back from 3-1 down with late goals.

Hawks director of football Trevor Brock said: “It’s a big ask. We need to win all of our games.

‘If we don’t win tomorrow, I can’t see any way back for us in the league. We haven’t lost a game all season but the five draws we have had could have killed us.’

Hawks also have a lengthy injury list going into tomorrow’s clash.

Jenna Fowlie is out with suspected ankle ligament damage.

Keeper Yzzy Taylor has a muscle problem and skipper Laura Oakes has a groin injury.

Defender Charlie Carter is still not fit to return, while key midfielder, Kaylee Schumann-Edwards is likely to miss the Yeovil clash after being injured in midweek.

On a positive front, Hawks have two cup finals to look forward to in April.

Goals from Lauren Cheshire, Vinny Nkomo, Sheriden Palk and Tasmin Pibworth helped Hawks see off Basingstoke 4-0 to reach the final of the Hampshire FA Women’s Challenge Cup last weekend.

On Tuesday the Hawks was off South West Combination rivals University of Portsmouth 3-0 at Westleigh Park to reach the final of the Portsmouth FA Women’s Cup.

Impressive strikers Pibworth and Nkomo hit second-half goals, before an own goal completed the tally.

In the Portsmouth FA final the Hawks meet Gosport Borough at Dover Road, Moneyfields FC.

Hawks then face Pompey in the Hampshire FA Women’s Challenge Cup final on Tuesday April 17th, at Privett Park

New full back Danni Paul has made her mark in her first two games for the club.

She impressed against Basingstoke, before shackling University star Michelle Niven, with a player-of-the-match performance on Tuesday.


By kind permission of “The News.”