Having been accidentally entered into the U18 Bill Gosling County Cup, the U17 Hawks somehow managed to see themselves through to the 3rd round of the competition. Following a bye in round one, they pulled off a miraculous 5-4 win away at Willen under 18's in round two.

The Hawks, who were division 5 of the WSBMFL last season, were moved up to division 2 for the U17 season after trouncing the league with 19 wins from 20 matches. It's been a tough start to their much higher standard league campaign with 2 losses, 2 draws and no wins, but, they have been improving game by game.

However, the third round cup draw is very unforgiving, being drawn at home to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos U18 FL. This is not the Aylesbury we are all familiar with in the WSBMFL, but their football academy who play in the Southern Counties Floodlit League. For those that aren't familiar, this is a mid-week league, played under the lights inside stadiums with paying supporters. To give some more perspective, the opposition recently beat Hemel Hempstead in the league, and the same Hemel Hempstead side went on a few days later to beat Exeter City in the FA Youth Cup!

The team were given the option to forfeit the game, but there was a resounding vote to "get it on" from all of the players. The tie will be played at Magnolia Park this coming Sunday, 10:45 kick off.

The lads are under no illusions as to the magnitude of what they are up against, and whatever the result, they will be running through walls to do themselves and Hughenden Football Club proud. The mere fact they all wanted to fulfil the fixture shows great character and determination, and I'm sure everyone at the club is behind them.

If anyone is at a loose end on Sunday morning, feel free to come along and support the team. It's a game that the away team will be expecting to be a walk in the park, but one thing is for sure, the Hawks will be giving it everything they've got!