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Hawkes end Millers unbeaten run

Walton & Weybridge Hawks spoiled Sanderstead 1st XI’s perfect record in South League’s Surrey Division 2, sealing a 3-1 win with two unanswered goals in the last 10 minutes of Saturday’s game at Croydon High.

Visitors Hawks had more of the possession in the first half, but neither side created many scoring chances, until Hawks nicked the ball in midfield and found their striker in a shooting position on the edge of the circle.  Goalkeeper Dan Pacitti rushed out and committed himself early, gifting his opponent with the option to round him and score.

Soon after, Sanderstead replied through captain Martyn Avery’s deflected short-corner shot, to level things up at half-time.  His teammates showed greater creativity after the break, as play moved quickly from end to end.  But, while shots rained in from open play and more short corners were awarded to the Millers, the hosts could not establish a lead.

They suffered late on at the hands of Walton’s clinical finishing – once when an unsighted Pacitti watched a free midfielder push home from close range, and later as poor marking let Hawks break unchallenged into the ‘D’ and finish with a fine strike from a narrow angle.

Coach Denzil Dolley said afterwards: “It’s a disappointment to lose, particularly when we didn’t play to our full potential.  I think the Hawks had the better game and deserved the win.  Now we must regroup and get back to winning ways, starting with our fixture at Richmond this Saturday.”

In the Surrey Open League, Sanderstead had mixed fortunes.  The best result came for the 3rd XI, who clinched the points in a nail-biting 3-2 win over Hawks’ 3s straight after the defeat for the 1s.  Meanwhile the 2nd XI game against Kenley ended 1-1, meaning the Millers have now drawn exactly half of all this season’s matches.  The 4th team lost out 2-0 away against a strong Purley Walcountians 4s.