Hawks’ FA Trophy dream ended on penalties by Notts County

Paul Doswell’s horrendous record of losing shoot-outs continued as Hawks’ FA Trophy run was ended in the fifth round by National League Notts County.
Hawks celebrate Tommy Wright's first half equaliser. Pic: Daniel Haswell.Hawks celebrate Tommy Wright's first half equaliser. Pic: Daniel Haswell.
Hawks celebrate Tommy Wright's first half equaliser. Pic: Daniel Haswell.

The Westleigh Park boss has never seen any of his sides win on penalties, and that record unfortunately continued as the Magpies moved into the quarter finals by a 4-2 margin.

That came after an entertaining 2-2 draw after 90 minutes where both sides had led and both ended with 10 men.

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Notts missed their first spot-kick - Jim O’Brien hitting the post - but Jimmy Knowles, Enzo Boldewijn, Ruben Rodrigues and Richard Brindley all converted.

Craig Robson saw Hawks’ first effort saved by Luke Pilling and, after Roarie Deacon and Billy Clifford had netted, Aryn Williams’ shot was also beaten away by the keeper.

Notts had taken a first half lead through Matty Wolfe but Hawks - playing only their fourth game in 49 days - hit back superbly through Tommy Wright and Bedsente Gomis.

Hawks loanee Nico Jones was dismissed on 71 minutes, with Knowles converting the resultant penalty, before the visitors ended with 10 men after sub Tyreace Palmer was dismissed for two bookable offences.

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Doswell was forced to give Joe Tupper a rare start in goal due to a shoulder injury that had been troubling Ross Worner for several weeks.

Oxford United loanee Jones, signed only the day before, fitted into a new-look back four, partnering Robson at centre half with George McLennan recalled at left back for his first game since a red card against Slough almost two months ago.

Notts boss Neal Ardley, as expected, rotated his squad - making eight changes from the side that had won 1-0 at Weymouth the previous weekend. Captain Michael Doyle, the ex-Pompey star, keeper Sam Slocombe and top scorer Kyle Wootton were all among those given the afternoon off.

Tupper was the first keeper tested, saving a shot from Calvin Miller, before Wright shot low at Pilling at the other end.

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Ellisha Sam failed to make proper contact from a low cross from left-back Jordan Barnett into the six yard box, but Notts did not have to wait long to take the lead.

On 14 minutes, Mansfield loanee Knowles got past his marker on the right side of Hawks’ 18-yard box before delivering a low cross into the six-yard box with another loanee, Barnsley midfielder Matty Wolfe, tucked in.

It could have been 2-0 six minutes later when a lovely quick counter attack at pace from a Hawks corner ended with Miller, taking a pass from Knowles, seeing a shot saved by Tupper’s legs at the expense of a corner.

Clifford fired a 30-yard free-kick over the bar before the same player was given a clear sight of goal, but instead passed to Gomis who was being closely marked.

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Adam Chicksen fired just wide for Notts before Hawks were forced into a substitution. Midfielder Godfrey Poku, Hawks’ skipper, went down with a knee injury and, after lengthy treatment, carried on - only to go down again minutes later.

Williams, brother of Pompey winger Ryan, came on into central midfield for his Hawks debut just a few days after signing for the club. It was his first competitive game since an Indonesian League appearance last March.

Within seconds of his arrival, Hawks were level - Clifford showing good initiative in taking a quick free kick just outside the Notts penalty area to Wright, who fired low past Pilling on 34 minutes.

Notts were almost ahead again straight away, Sam finding space in the left-hand channel, advancing into the penalty area but firing just wide of the far post.

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Both sides were passing it around nicely on the 3G surface and, from a good through ball from Jim O’Brien, the overlapping Barnett set up Chicksen to shoot just over.

Jones became the first name in referee Sunny Gill’s notebook for a foul on Wolfe.

Right at the end of the four added minutes, Chicksen broke the offside trap but was unable to lob Tupper as the keeper came out.

Hawks made a storming start to the second half, taking a 48th minute lead with Gomis heading in a Josh Taylor corner.

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O’Brien struck a 20-yarder at Tupper while Clifford - enjoying one of his best games for Hawks - played a one-two with Deacon before shooting just wide from 20 yards.

Ardley made a triple substitution on 66 minutes, bringing on Palmer, Enzo Boldewijn and Ruben Rodrigues.

Five minutes later, the visitors were level.

Jones, already booked, was sent off for tugging Palmer’s shirt as the striker tried to get on the end of a Rodrigues free kick. Knowles blasted the subsequent penalty straight down the middle.

Numerical parity was restored on 86 minutes, though, when Palmer was dismissed for his second bookable offence. Having been cautioned for diving in the penalty area, he was dismissed for a late challenge on Tupper.

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Rodrigues had a great chance to win it in time added on, but shot wide. But it didn’t matter as Notts kept their cool during the penalty shoot-out.

Hawks, though, fully played their part in an end-to-end encounter and Doswell can be proud of their performance – especially considering how infrequently his side have played since mid-December.

Hawks: Tupper, Magri, McLennan, Robson, Jones, Poku (Williams, 33), Clifford, Taylor, Gomis, Deacon, Wright.

Notts County: Pilling, Miller (Palmer, 66), Brindley, Turner, Lacey, O’Brien, Barnett, Wolfe, Knowles, Sam (Boldewijn, 66), Chicksen (Rodrigues, 66).