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Dec. 22nd, 2007 11:07 pmHavant & Waterlooville v E*******h - but for all the hype about it being a grudge match, the atmosphere was just like any other game. There were Hawks and E*******h fans drinking together in the clubhouse before kick-off with no hint of animosity. Trevor played Under The Moon Of Love as the teams ran out, getting our fans behind the goal singing, but while the E*******h fans managed several chants getting behind their team, it was all no different from any other time we've faced a team with a vocal travelling support. Fitzroy Simpson and Gareth Howells were booed when their names were read over the tannoy, but from the stand, where I was, that was as far as it went.
The game itself was not a classic. It showed all the signs of being a dire 0-0, and Rocky Baptiste had a stinker, missing a couple of clear chances and blazing a speculative shot over the bar from 20 yards out when Gary Hart was wide open. Charlie Oatway played well and was deservedly named the sponsors' Man of the Match. Alfie Potter never stopped running, though he missed an open goal with ten minutes to go.
Then in the 87th minute Chamal Fenelon headed in the vague direction of the goal, and an E*******h defender tried to head clear but the ball still bobbed into the net. Every Hawk in the stadium leapt to their feet and went crazy. Never mind how poor the game had been - we were beating the Spitefires! Hawks held on for the win - more mass celebrations.
Back to the clubhouse for the HawkSupport raffle draw. As we waited I heard a couple of guys say they'd shouted caustic comments to Simpson and Howells after the final whistle. In the bar, though, again both sets of fans mingled amicably enough - several of the E*******h supporters actually bought tickets in our raffle (two won prizes). I had the honour of collecting a box of Tea Time biscuits won by my mother.
Home for the Christmas episode of Porridge from '75, TOTP2 Christmas Special and the film of Hitch-Hiker's Guide.
The game itself was not a classic. It showed all the signs of being a dire 0-0, and Rocky Baptiste had a stinker, missing a couple of clear chances and blazing a speculative shot over the bar from 20 yards out when Gary Hart was wide open. Charlie Oatway played well and was deservedly named the sponsors' Man of the Match. Alfie Potter never stopped running, though he missed an open goal with ten minutes to go.
Then in the 87th minute Chamal Fenelon headed in the vague direction of the goal, and an E*******h defender tried to head clear but the ball still bobbed into the net. Every Hawk in the stadium leapt to their feet and went crazy. Never mind how poor the game had been - we were beating the Spitefires! Hawks held on for the win - more mass celebrations.
Back to the clubhouse for the HawkSupport raffle draw. As we waited I heard a couple of guys say they'd shouted caustic comments to Simpson and Howells after the final whistle. In the bar, though, again both sets of fans mingled amicably enough - several of the E*******h supporters actually bought tickets in our raffle (two won prizes). I had the honour of collecting a box of Tea Time biscuits won by my mother.
Home for the Christmas episode of Porridge from '75, TOTP2 Christmas Special and the film of Hitch-Hiker's Guide.
