CSL Hawks finish off the season in style
The Adelaide Hills Hawks CSL teams finished off the season in the best possible way with 2 great wins over North City away at Parafield Gardens. More importantly the Hawks 2B side secured the premiership with an emphatic 5-1 over their opponents. After beating equal top team Concordia in the penultimate round 3-0 all the Hawks needed to do was win in the last game to secure the championship. Tom Morgan got the Hawks off to the best starting with a thunderous volley from a narrow angle and goals from Lachie Brown, Skipper Brad Seidel, Scott Ayris and Liam Bucco sealed a tremendous victory and a well deserved title for the Hawks. It was a fitting reward for coach Phil Stevens for all of his hard work, encouragement and passion throughout the season. Phil leaves for a new life in North Queensland and will be sadly missed by the club where he has left an indelible mark on the players and the CSL set up.
The A side has also had a positive two weeks despite being down on player numbers due to injuries, suspensions and work commitments. Several players have had to play two games each week in what can only be described as a courageous and loyal feat. Last week the side defeated rivals Concordia who were second and newly promoted to Division 1. Goals to Chris Zehle and a thunderous half volley from 25 metres out to skipper Hamish Vickers helped to secure the magnificent win.
The A’s went into the final game with 6 players who had already played a part in the reserves win. The backline of Rowan Heiser(GK), Peter Atkinson, Nathan Roennfelt and Liam Bucco stood firm against the home side who had some very skilful and quick African players. Paul Sutcliffe was moved into midfield to compliment Taff Mellor and Jack Foster and the trio had a significant influence in creating opportunities for the Hawks forward line. Injured goalkeeper Declan Bucco showed great courage playing up front with an injured shoulder to help out the side and played well in his new role supporting Jake Pollard and Scott Ayris up front.
With the score 0-0 at halftime, the Hawks took full advantage of the swirling win and were a goal up in the 55th minute when Ayris hit a thunderbolt of a volley into the top corner after brilliant work by Sutcliffe. Pollard doubled the lead 15 minutes later with a superb curled shot from 20 metres out. North City began to respond with some dangerous attacks and got themselves back into the game to make the last 20 minutes. Jason Barrie, Lachie Brown and Matyn Abdul Karim were introduced to great effect as the momentum began to swing the Hawks way again. Seidel was pushed up front due to cramp from playing 2 games and his impact was immediate as he scored the third goal to seal a 3-1 win.
In reflection, it has been a positive year in a higher division for the Hawks. With the reserves winning the league and the A’s finishing a creditable third missing out by 1 place to secure promotion to Division 1. The lessons learned with stand the teams in good stead as they focus on what will be an interesting season 2022.
