Hawks Academy win at Reading

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JMA READING ACADEMY 2 : 3 HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE ACADEMY

In a thrilling high quality and high tempo game today at JMA Reading, the Hawks Academy edged out a 3 -2 win with a display of guts, focus and sheer commitment. This result keeps the Hawks in contention for the Championship despite nearest rivals Team Bath edging a 1-0 v Farnborough today.

On a bobbly 3G surface, it was the Hawks who went in front on 6 minutes when some neat one touch play freed up Alex Baldacchino to fire home from 6 yards. Reading equalised on 26 minutes when No 8 Ben Gladwin found himself with time and space to set himself and unleash an unstoppable 35 yard shot. Reading then edged ahead on 36 minutes when the Hawks failed to shut down build up play down their left and the resultant cross found left side midfielder/winger Collins who got across Hawks’ Tom Shepherd to steer the ball wide of Cam Scott and into the corner of the net.

HT: JMA Reading 2 : 1 Havant & Waterlooville

The second half was full of the gusto with both sides playing positive and attractive one and two touch play. On 70 minutes the Hawks made positive changes and brought on Craig Ralph and Lewis Edwards for Matt Bremford and Tom Shepherd in an ambitious 3-4-3 formation. This appeared to do the trick as the Hawks began to press. Equality was restored when the Hawks struck on 78 minutes as substitute Edwards fired a terrific drive home from the edge of the box to level the scores. Both sides impressed from thereon but it was the Hawks that nicked the game on 85 minutes when a long ball deceived Reading’s central defence. Whilst Reading’s GK Jamie Norris could have perhaps come and dealt with it he hesitated long enough for Alex Baldacchino to nip in and glance the ball over and into an empty net.

The Hawks kept the game tight the last 5 minutes to run out 3 – 2 winners and remain firmly in contention for the league title.

HT: JMA Reading 2 : 3 Havant & Waterlooville

SQUAD: Scott, Shepherd (Edwards), Crosswell, Robson, Froggatt, Bailey, Bremford (Ralph), Mackney, Baldacchino, Sewell, Lowley, SUBS NOT USED: King, Gilbert, Al-Shantir, Whyte, Gadd

SCORERS: Baldacchino (2) Edwards

MOTM: Charlie Bailey