Hawks boss frustrated as punishing time continues

Lee Bradbury expressed his disappointment as another positive display from the Hawks went unrewarded.
Hawks boss Lee Bradbury. Picture: Chris MoorhouseHawks boss Lee Bradbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Hawks boss Lee Bradbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The Westleigh Park outfit slipped back into the bottom four of the National League following a 2-1 defeat against Sutton United at Westleigh Park on Saturday.

Bradbury's Hawks had to play second fiddle to a powerful and experienced Sutton outfit for much of the contest.

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However, they led at half-time courtesy of a Nicke Kabamba goal scored against the run of play.

And almost snatched a share of the spoils at the death.

'˜We need to get points on the board,' said boss Bradbury.

'˜Once again we have given another top team a good game and come away with nothing.

'˜It is small margins and we keep falling the wrong side of them.

'˜I can't fault the players' efforts because they kept working hard for each other.

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'˜But we were guilty of giving away another couple of uncharacteristic goals.

'˜Everything we do wrong at the moment seems to get punished.

'˜It was always going to be a difficult game for us and we have to give our opponents a lot of credit.

'˜The formation they played and the experience they had in their side gave us a lot of problems.'

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After an even opening, Sutton began to show their pedigree and take control of the game.

They created the better chances but paid the price on 31 minutes for failing to take them. 

Ibra Sekajja's overhead-kick fell to Kabamba just inside the Sutton area and the striker's shot, on the turn, looped into the top corner via a deflection.

The Hawks took confidence from that but once the second half started the visitors took charge again.

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It was no surprise when Tommy Wright levelled the scores on 61 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area.

And a second goal followed in the 71st minute.

Harry Beautyman netted at the back post after substitute Jonah Ayunga cut between two defenders on the right.

Bradbury added: '˜We have to be far more resilient and that includes being a lot braver on the ball.

'˜We have to stop them before they get into our box. It was a frustrating day.

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'˜We will be okay. It is a case of us having to just keep going and the tide will turn for us.'

Paul Robinson almost snatched an unlikely point for the Hawks with a terrific late strike.

However, Sutton keeper Jamie Butler pulled off an outstanding save to keep the shot out.

The Hawks begin their defence of the Hampshire Senior Cup against Moneyfields at Westleigh Park on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Hawks: Young, Woodford, Harris, Robinson P, Williams, Huggins (Tarbuck, 78min), Stock, Lewis, Sekajja (Pavey, 73min), Cosgrave (Rutherford, 66min), Kabamba. Attendance: 1,273