Highcliffe wrapped up the BYFL u15 league title early in March with a final game 5-4 win over third place Boscombe Albion that saw Hawks win thirteen of the sixteen games they played in the 2011/12 season, winning the title by six points and with a superior goal difference of eighteen goals over second place Broadstone. Hawks impressive season also saw them meet Bournemouth Electric in the BYFL Cup played at King George 5th Playing Fields in Ferndown on 25th March. Highcliffe had already beaten Electric twice in the season but Electric had done their homework on Hawks having watched several of their recent fixtures. Two of Hawks players in Cam Roach (ankle) and Taylor Leonard (thigh) were unfortunate to miss the final through injury but were there to cheer on their team mates.
Hawks started brightly and pressed from the first whistle. Their effort was rewarded when Josh Bertie swung a free king in to the box which was expertly guided into the net by the impressive Dan Arnold. Hawks took control of the game and looked comfortable until a free kick from the edge of the box caused mayhem in the Hawks penalty area and Electric scored against the run of play. Connor Cullingford picked up a knock and Tom King was bought in to an unfamiliar role in central midfield where he and captain Joe Duffy worked to win the ball and get it wide to fast running Liam Goulding on the left or Dan Merry on the right. The first half ended 1-1 with Hawks confidence returning.
Highcliffe started the second half brightly and Dan Arnold made it a brace before captain Joe Duffy was bought down in the box and despatched the penalty to make it 3-1. Manager Ron Bertie made a number of substitutions playing some of the squad in unfamiliar positions to mix it up which saw Cullingford return to action on the left and Goulding moved up front as Habib was rested.
The final goal was a spectacular lob over the keeper from the versatile Jacob Carter whose first season with the Hawks has netted him two trophies with Hawks maiden league title and cup win since the creation of this team at u7’s. Coach Tony Smith and Manager Ron Bertie continued to rotate the players to keep the team fresh on a hot day. The back four of Guy Janes, Jack Smith, Dan Arnold and Ali Burrows, with keeper Sam Honeyman, were rarely troubled as they saw out the remainder of the second half whilst tireless Jack Habib and in-form Josh Bertie always maintained a threat up front.
Hawks have a settled squad and should build on this season for more success next year and will be looking to go further in the Hampshire Cup than 2011/12.
Hawks: Honeyman (goal), Burrows, Janes, Arnold (2), Smith, Merry, Cullingford, Duffy (Capt, Pen), Goulding, Habib, Bertie, King, Carter (1), Leonard, Roach.
Russell Merry
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