Hawks survive Sholing fightback to make final

Sekajja puts Hampshire Senior Cup holders on course to defend crown

THE HAWKS remained on course to defend their Hampshire Senior Cup crown with a 3-2 win against Sholing in their semi-final at the Universal Stadium last night.

After coasting into a threegoal lead the Hawks were made to battle before sneaking into the final.

The visitors gave a first start to recent signing David Banjo and also to academy goalkeeper Oliver Eyres.

Ibra Sekajja, inset, gave the Hawks the perfect start with a seventh-minute goal after running on to a through pass and drilling an angled shot into the far corner of the net.

The Hawks further tightened their grip on the tie with two goals in as many minutes midway through the half.

On 24 minutes an unmarked Jordan Rose headed in at the far post from a corner.

A minute later Sekajja claimed his second to put the Hawks in control.

Daniel Mason gave Sholing a lifeline on 35 minutes with a vicious shot from 18 yards which Eyres got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Before the break Mason went close again with a shot that grazed the post.

On 59 minutes, the Boatmen reduced the deficit still further when Lee Wort latched on to a flick and fired his shot through the legs of young Eyres.

Spurred on by the goal the hosts got on top sensing a remarkable turnaround.

And it took a goalline clearance from Ryan Woodford at the death to save the visitors.

Elsewhere, there was bad news for the Hawks as Barnet beat Harrogate Town 1-0 in the National League. The Bees move seven points clear of Lee Bradbury’s relegation-battlers, who are now five points adrift of safety. Horndean suffered Wessex League Cup heartache with a 3-2 semi-final defeat at Portland. Goals from Brandon Jewell and Liam Kimber in the opening six minutes put the visitors in charge. However, the Dorset side hit back within two minutes to reduce the deficit. And two second-half goals turned it around.

Baffins Milton Rovers fell to a 3-1 defeat at Alresford in the Wessex League premier division.

A late Stuart McConachie goal earned AFC Portchester a 1-0 win at Brockenhurst.

McConachie struck on 83 minutes to give the Royals a much-needed success.

Fareham Town secured a 3-0 home win against Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

United Services beat Totton & Eling 2-1 in Wessex League division one.

Hampshire Premier League senior division side Paulsgrove lost 3-0 Christchurch in the Russell-Cotes Cup. semi-finals.