Hollingbury Hawks vs. AS Eastbourne

Clinical Hawks lift W J Jewell Trophy

Words by Girvane Bila
Hollingbury Hawks 3-0 AS Eastbourne

Hollingbury Hawks overpowered AS Eastbourne to win the Sussex W J Jewell Trophy (Under-12s) for the first time since 2000 with a 3-0 victory at Culver Road yesterday afternoon. 

The Hawks have added the County Cup triumph to an impressive trophy haul this season, which already consists of the League Cup last week as well the Futsal Cup they won in December.

Jurgen Pali gave Hawks the lead in the 25th minute when he broke free at pace from the Eastbourne defence. Bearing down on goal, he showed tremendous composure to poke it past the onrushing Tommy Nones to give his side the lead.

Three minutes after Pali’s opener, Preston Burton, who was central to Eastbourne creating chances, saw his deep corner find Lewis Richardson at the back post, but he could not quite make the required contact with the ball to nod in what seemed a certain leveller. 

Hawks two chances in quick succession to extend their lead, the first was saw Stanley Hughes find Ned Waddup and he forced a great stop from Nones. 

The second was a ball over the top that Hughes raced onto, beat Nones to the ball who had strayed out from his area, but he was just unable to capitalise on the opportunity as his touch forced him wide and the eventual shot was gathered by the retreating keeper.

AS Eastbourne started the second-half sprightly and had an early shout for a penalty turned away as Reuben Morris challenged Max Seddon, but referee Ross Leachman waved away the appeals.

However, that early second-half impetus was quelled just two minutes after the restart. The lively, Raphael Knafo, raced through but saw his opportunity well saved by Nones, Waddup was following up though and slotted in a rebound through the unfortunate goalkeepers’ legs. 

Knafo would further seal the win, and get his much-deserved goal, after a sumptuous switch of play resulted in him lashing it into the roof of the net past Nones.

Hughes’ wonderful effort from distance could have made it four goals without reply in the 46th minute, but his effort crashed the crossbar, which would have capped off a brilliant performance. 

Despite All Stars’ best efforts, Hollingbury were able to nullify every attack they were threatened with. Coupled with Hawks’ attack being deadly in front of goal, and they closed out the final in superb style. 

Speaking after the game, Hollingbury Hawks manager John Seeney was very happy with his team’s win.

“It was an intense first-half but the early goal in the second-half made the difference. It led to us growing in confidence and feeling a bit more comfortable,” he said.

“They were a little bit nervous in the first-half because it was a big game. We chatted to them at half-time, told them to calm down, focus on what they need to do and go out and put some pressure on them early doors,” he added. 

Hollingbury Hawks vs. AS Eastbourne YT
Hollingbury Hawks vs. AS Eastbourne - 07-05-23
Highlights of the Sussex W J Jewell Trophy Final (Under-12s) powered by Your Instant Replay.

(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)

Stats: (Hollingbury Hawks-AS Eastbourne) Goals (3-0); Shots (15-4); Shots-on-target (6-0); Offsides (3-0); Corners (1-3); Fouls (9-7); Yellow Cards (0-1); Red Cards (0-0).

Hollingbury Hawks: Nutall, Morris, Anderson, Knafo, Pali, Hattwm, Seeney, Boxall, Proudlock.
Subs: Deda, Waddup, Hughes.

AS Eastbourne: Nones, Seddon, Shehu, Richardson, Burton, Lucas, Ramsden, Nunes, Stewart.
Subs: Wiley, Webster, Harman. 

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