The Blues are on the road for the first time since the start of the month when we travelled to Dulwich Hamlet. That game was the first of the run of four consecutive 2-1 results for the Blues in recent weeks; that 2-1 defeat at Dulwich was followed up by back to back 2-1 league wins over Carshalton and Hastings United at home, before a 2-1 defeat in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday night against Tilbury.
Our Opponents
Whitehawk are based on the outskirts of Brighton, and were founded back in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys.
Whitehawk were promoted from the Sussex County League in 2009/10 to reach the Isthmian South division. In their first season at that level, they finished in 3rd place, eventually losing out in the playoffs to Leatherhead on penalties. Not to be deterred, the Hawks won the Isthmian South division the following season (2011/12), and followed this up by being crowned champions of the Isthmian Premier League in 2012/13, their first season at that level. Three promotions in four seasons had seen the Hawks move from the Sussex County League to the National League South. The first season at step 2 was a challenge, but Whitehawk stayed up, finishing one place above the drop zone. 2014/15 saw the Hawks finish 4th, to mark the club's most successful season ever. In the playoffs, Whitehawk beat Basingstoke Town to set up a final at Boreham Wood which ended level after 90 minutes but Boreham Wood secured promotion in added time. To prove this wasn't a one-off, the Hawks reached the playoffs again in 2015/16, this time losing out to Ebbsfleet United in the semi-finals. A 17th place finish followed in 16/17, before relegation in 2017/18, finishing 21st of 22.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, their descent was almost as swift as their climb up the ladder, as they were relegated from the Isthmian Premier League in their first season back at this level in 2018/19, finishing in the final relegation place, just two points behind Wingate & Finchley. 2022/23 saw Whitehawk earn promotion and a return to the Isthmian Premier League for 2023/24 thanks to a playoff win over Hythe Town.
Last season, Whitehawk had a solid season back in the Isthmian Premier League, and ensured that they will stay at this level for more than one season this time, with a 9th place finish. 65 points saw the Hawks 11 points off the playoffs and 26 points ahead of the relegation places.
This season, Whitehawk have 12 points from their 14 matches so far (W3 D3 L8) which sees them sat 21st of 22 teams. All three wins came earlier in the season against Bowers & Pitsea, Potters Bar and Cray Valley PM, with the Hawks not tasting victory in the league since September. Manager Ross McNeilly left the Hawks in October after three defeats on the bounce, the Hawks responding with back to back goalless draws before defeats at Hastings and Canvey Island.
Head to Head
Last season, both ties between Wingate & Finchley and Whitehawk were crackers. Back in August 2023, we travelled to Whitehawk and the game ended 3-3, the Blues squandering a three-goal lead and the Hawks completing the comeback in the 90th minute. At the Maurice Rebak Stadium in January, there were six goals again but this time five of them came for the Blues, as we ran out 5-1 winners thanks to a Ruben Carvalho hat-trick and goals for Anointed Chukwu and Elliot Long.
Last Time Out
Whitehawk's last two matches have been on the road, and both have ended in defeat. First it was a 2-0 loss at East Sussex neighbours Hastings United, before a 2-1 loss at Canvey Island on Saturday.
Players To Watch
The man that scored their goal against Canvey Island on Saturday was Kai Jennings, an 18-year old central midfielder on loan from AFC Wimbledon, where he signed professional terms in the summer. For the Hawks, he was named as their player of the month for August and is impressing many in his first full season in men's football, after a short spell on loan last season.
A familiar face amongst the Whitehawk squad is Will Seager. Seager provided a reliable option in both midfield and defence for the Blues last season in our squad which achieved a playoff place, playing 25 times in all competitions before moving on to Whitehawk in the summer.
For the Blues, midfielder Matty Achuba is closing in on 100 appearances for the club, and has slotted back into our midfield, providing his usual tenacity and strong midfield running this season. Meanwhile, another midfielder who has impressed this season is Ryan Lowe, and he netted his fifth goal of the season on Tuesday night with an excellent strike against Tilbury.
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Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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