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Cuffley 3-1 Croxley Guild Hawks

23^rd January 2011, The Hawks being knocked out of the County Cup in a last 16 game against the holders is nothing to be ashamed of, however this was a match where the Hawks looked the better team for most of the contest. In the very first minute Peiter won a free kick in midfield and his quick take saw the ball fizz through the Cuffley area. Good inter play between Matt and David led to a shot that stung the keepers fingers and the Hawks earned a free kick just outside the area as Colm was fouled. Lewis struck the cross and David got his head to the ball but it span wide of the target. Cuffley were dangerous on the break and Caimin took no chances as he turned the first shot behind for a corner and was on hand again collecting a swerving effort a minute later. A clever move followed Pieter played an excellent ball down the line and Arsh turned the defender inside out before crossing just past Davids outstretched foot. A goal did follow Colm this time played it to Arsh who found David on the wing and from an acute angle he fired it across goal and the keeper could not stop it from finding the net, 0-1. The remainder of the half was more even with Cuffly getting a foothold, Pieter cleared calmly under pressure, Colm made an important interception inside the Hawks area and the half ended with Caimin tipping over the bar at full stretch, Half time 0-1.

Cup ties can be won or lost in key moments and early in the second half there were two passages of play that on this occasion did not go our way. In the second minute David burst onto a pass from Pieter and his shot went wide by the narrowest of margins, with the keeper beat. A minute later a shot from the edge of the Hawks area took a slight deflection and nestled in the net, 1-1. Lewis was then unlucky to see his shot well saved following a powerful run past three defenders. There was also a long range effort from Colm before Cuffley took the lead. This time following a couple of corners they produced a fast passing move creating a really good goal 2-1. In fairness to the Hawks their heads did not drop and when Arsh played Lewis into space his shot was parried by the keeper, Matt get to the rebound but his effort was blocked on the line. A corner from Arsh was close to being prodded home by David but another breakaway goal was about to make the task extremely difficult, a well worked move saw the forward finish at the far post giving Caimin no chance, 3-1.  The Hawks did battle to the end with Pieter and Lewis both coming close with shots from outside the area, Mitch was on in the closing stages and was creating plenty of chances and almost grabbed a late goal for himself as he cut into the area before hitting a shot that just dipped over the bar, Final Score 3-1. Lewis had dominated midfield and was awarded man of the match. Croxley Guild Hawks could consider themselves unfortunate not to have made it to the last eight but it had been an excellent run, with an away win at Letchworth and home victories against St. Albans City and Stevenage Borough.