The Hawks Men’s 1st XI started well at Oxted, applying pressure and getting outcomes in the D from the off, but short corners came and went with no breakthrough for the away side, as the Oxted defence held firm. With frustration setting in early as decisions went against The Hawks, Oxted broke the deadlock on a counter attack, and it was first blood to the home side. The Hawks continued their attacks, and with just one goal in it they looked the stronger side, but again, short corner after short corner went by with no reward, and with the last play of the half, Oxted got their second.

An early short corner for Oxted at the start of the 2nd half resulted in their 3rd goal with no response. Into double digits now for short corners won, The Hawks briefly thought the tide was turning, as Matt Betes stepped up to force the ball past the keeper on the rebound from a Matthew Chappell flick, but as seemed to be the theme of the day, the decision once more fell on the wrong side of the coin, and the decision was overturned, much to the away side’s dismay.

Finally a breakthrough for The Hawks, and a result from a short corner, through Edward Fileman who beat the keeper, flicking high to his left. But Oxted were quick to respond to The Hawks opener, and got their fourth with a short corner of their own. A 2nd goal for the Hawks came late on, with Nick Browning deflecting from Alex Taylors shot, but the dye had been cast early in the second half, and The Hawks had left themselves too big a mountain to climb.

When asked for comment after the game, Joe James declined to speak.