Paul Doswell names his first side ahead of the 2022/23 season. The only change from our final pre-season squad is Ross Worner replacing Charlie Searle.

A tough first fixture for both sides, as the Hawks and Slough will be looking to get three points on the table.

It was strong first half for the Hawks, Jake McCarthy opened the scoring with an incredible finish. Roberts doubled the scoreline before Slough got one back with a headed effort.

It was over with ten minutes to go – Rooney nodded it past North with ease to secure three points.

MATCH ACTION

It was a quiet opening 10 minutes – the first chance came when Kuhl accidentally flicked a dangerous cross from Rooney into the box but North had to claim.

A brilliant save from Ross Worner was needed when Pruti’s diving header was heading for the bottom right corner – the flag was ultimately raised and it was offside.

James Roberts with the first real chance, he was played in with a delicious ball and forced a save out of North with a driven strike.

The non-league Frank Lampard, as dubbed by Paul Doswell, opened the scoring for the Hawks – Jake McCarthy plucked the ball out of the area and drove a right-footed volley past North, who had no chance.

A huge penalty shout half an hour in – Rooney was taken down right on the line but the referee deemed it a free-kick. The cross was eventually cleared which set up a good counter attack for the Rebels. Aaron Kuhl cuts through the defence but his dinked strike was across the box.

HT Hawks 1, Slough 0

A couple of early chances for Jason Prior, but nothing falling to him. Moments later, Gianni Crichlow breaks through the Rebels’ defence, he plays in James Roberts who slotted it past North with ease.

The Hawks started the second half at a good pace but Slough looked to deny it when Harris nodded past Worner from a good free-kick. The ball clattered off the crossbar and bounced over the line.

It was a quiet twenty minutes or so for both teams, the first real chance since the goal – Prior was denied at the far post with a great save, it fell to Rooney but his rebound was blocked off the line.

Faal almost got off to a flyer when he dinked a ball towards the far post – it had North scrambling but it was saved and after a deflection off Prior, went out for a goalkick.

Paul Rooney finally scored his first competitive goal for the Hawks – a lovely cross from Crichlow was dinked above Rooney at the far post who could head it past North.

Faal almost made it four for the Hawks, Newton played him one-on-one with North but his effort was a weak one and straight at the Slough shot stopper.

Wright had a couple of chances towards the end, but neither efforts could test the goalkeeper.

FT – Hawks 3, Slough 1

Attendance: 732

MOTM: Paul Rooney

Hawks XI: Worner, Newton, Oastler, Nembhard, McCarthy, Rooney, Prior (81’), Clifford, Crichlow, Read (69’), Roberts (69’)

Hawks Subs: Passley (69’), Gobern, Wright (81’), Faal (69’), Andrews

Slough XI: North, Wells, Pruti, Togwell, Harris, Goddard, Hunt, Davies, Dandy, Sole, Kuhl

Slough Subs: Hollis, Bird, Benyon, George, Kayani

Written by Adam Nixon