Hawks fire up at the Nest
The Adelaide Hills Hawks CSL sides had a day to remember on Sat with both grades having strong wins over Cardjin College in their Round 6 fixtures. The reserves has a strong 3 nil win to keep top spot. With both goalkeepers unavailable Jayden Miller took on the goalkeeper responsibilities with great aplomb to keep a clean sheet. Goal scorers were Tom Donavan (2) with a blistering free kick and a quality finish and Nathan Roenfeld kept up his good goalscoring form with an early header.
The first team played their best game of the season and won 6 nil in a comprehensive performance. It was an important game for the team as Cardjin were one point behind. It was also a special day for Chris Zehle who was celebrating his 50th appearance for the CSL team. The versatile Zehle is the second player to do so behind Brad Seidel so it was a special day for the utility player. Zehle responded in emphatic fashion with a first half hattrick in a sizzling display.
The Hawks had to do some reshuffling due to injuries to influential midfielder and captain Hamish Vickers (knee) and regular goalkeeper Declan Bucco who dislocated his shoulder at training during the week. Brad Seidel took on the goalkeeper duties and he showed great leadership in leading the Hawks backline of Roenfeld, Paul Suttcliffe, Jarrod Kerr and Peter Atkinson. After a shaky start the defence was rock solid and time after time they denied space and time to the Cardjin forward line.
Zehle opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after great work by Jayden Miller in midfield. His cross was flicked on by Jake Pollard and Zehle smashed the ball in at the far post. 10 minutes later Zehle scored again with some great goal poaching in the 6 yeard box. This lifted the Hawks as the midfield of Miller, Nathan Litchfield, Jack Foster and Taff Mellor went into top gear. Pollard got in on the scoring after 21mins after some brilliant passing combinations found Miller on the right. His brilliant cross found Pollard at the near post and he expertly glided the ball inside the right near hand post.
Litchfield got into the action on the 35 minute mark when his mazy run saw him dribble around the keeper for the 4th goal of the game. Zehle completed his hat trick when he capitalised on a passing error to slot the ball in from 15 metres out.
After the break, the home sided capitalised again on the 47 minute mark, Litchfield with a clever curling shot to complete his brace. The Hawks continued to dominate and the defence continue to nullify Cardjin with smart disciplined play. Tom Donavan, Tejas Scargill, Scott Ayris and Tom Morgan were introduced in the second half and all played their role in a massive win for the team that now puts them into 4th place.
In a great all round performance where everyone contributed, Miller, Zehle, Pollard and Kerr were standouts in their specific roles. The teams now turn their attention to Unley in next Saturday’s away fixture.
