Oxford Hawks off to a winning start at Woking Hockey Club

Hawks had a stop start journey around the M25 to arrive at newly promoted Woking. With the temperatures in the high 20's it was always going to be a demanding match.  Hawks started the match strongly, moving the ball with confidence.  Woking nearly snatched the lead when Denzil Dolley, their South African international stole the ball on the 25 line with his trade mark shave tackle only to fire the shot wide.  Hawks on the offensive won a short corner, Dominic Roche stepped and launched the ball high into the Woking net.  Hawks were in control, after 19 minutes they were awarded another short corner, this time new boy Jack biggs flicked the ball just inside the post: Hawks 2, Woking 0.  Woking had a few chances, mostly originating from the fantastic stick skills of Dolley, but each time that man Hargreaves was there to make the save. Woking did score, only for the goal to be rightly disallowed as the ball did not travel 5m before being crossed into the D.  Half time Hawks 2, Woking 0.  The second half was business as usual, Hawks moving the ball fluently around the pitch.  The third goal came after a goal mouth scramble, a loose ball was put away by Sean Duval.  Hawks did score a fourth, only to have the goal disallowed after it was judged the original shot from the short corner was dangerous.  Phil Hargreaves made a number of fine saves, Woking with ten minutes to go, scored from a goal mouth scramble. Final score Hawks 3, Woking 1.

Squad

Ted Bennett, Jack Biggs, Joe Brownhill, Ethan Chapman, Sam Chilvers, Sean Duval, Charlie Ellison, Philip Hargraves, Craig Larner, Adam Lepage, Rob Miller, Simon Robinson, Dominic Roche, Kieran Roche, James Ward

Player of the match: Philip Hargraves

Scorers