Rocks slumped to their first defeat since November after they conceded two first half goals, and a third in the second half, including the first and second goals by ex-Bognor players.
The Whitehawk team included Craig Richards, Mark Knee, Stuart Tuck, Sam Gargan and James Fraser – all players that performed in the green and white over the past decade.
The visitors would start well. James Crane hit the ball on the rise to cross for Jason Prior near the back post. But the Newcastle trialist’s header was just saved by Winterton in goal.
Moments later, a freekick by Paul Armstrong for the hosts was cut short as the referee spotted pushing in the box.
Ben Andrews clashed with Keehan in a strong but fair tackle and went to ground clutching his knee. After treatment and being replaced by Chris Breach it was revealed that he has damaged medial ligaments in his knee and calf – and is due to have an operation on the 17th January on a previous similar injury on the other leg.
Crane did well again on 11 minutes. He set up Terry Dodd, but the striker perhaps should have done better with his shot, firing his attempt wide of the right post.
Prior then poked the ball through to Dan Beck, who sent his shot the wrong side of the post with only the goalkeeper to beat.
On 18 minutes Fraser almost gets in on goal but Craig Stoner managed to dash out to gather at the player’s feet.
4 minutes later Ben Johnson tried to slip the ball in for Kane Wills but instead won a corner. Johnson took the kick from the right and Prior rose highest but headed over.
Then a short corner lead to Johnson floating across the defence with a spirited run before firing a shot with his left foot. Unfortunately it bounced wide of the left post.
A long throw by Richards found Fraser in the box but he couldn’t direct his header, under pressure from the Rocks defence, goalwards.
Kyle Vassell then set up Fraser again with a cross. Unmarked the ex-Rock headed towards goal but Stoner saved well with his legs.
El-Abd was shown a yellow card on 30 minutes after arguing with the referee about 2 tackles in quick succession.
Jon Marzetti was also booked for similar offences 5 minutes later. Vassell’s free kick from the incident fell straight onto the head of Richards who diverted the ball into the bottom left corner.
Rocks tried to reply but again failed to score when Johnson’s chipped freekick into the area was headed over by Stuart Axten.
On 41 minutes Whitehawk went 2-0 up. Vassell’s cross found Fraser in the box, who had his back to goal. He managed to volley it over his head, which looped up over Stoner and into the net.
HT 2-0
Marzetti was brought off and replaced by Steve Harper at half-time. Obviously a precaution for his pending suspension coming up and with the yellow card he had received already in this game.
It was the hosts who had the first opportunity of the half. Stoner had to dive down quickly to deny Vassell, then minutes later Fraser was set up by Gargan before firing from long distance. Though the ball flew wide of the goal.
Two fairly quick attempts came and went for the Rocks. Wills’ cross heading for Axten was cut out by Winterton and then Prior shot wide from inside the box, after a corner.
To add to Rocks’ misery the third goal came on 54 minutes. Vassell, who was the host’s main threat throughout, received a cut-back pass from Fraser inside the box to slot home with the help of a slight deflection.
With 30 minutes left, Prior went down in the box but the appeals were ignored before the ball rolled harmlessly off for a goalkick – ending a rare second half attack.
Gargon was booked on 64 minutes after sliding in late on Wills in the middle of the field.
On 70 minutes Bognor seemed to go to sleep in defence as Vassell was allowed to speed through to shoot from the edge of the box, but his attempt flew over the bar.
Rocks failed to clear their lines again 2 minutes later. Vassell had only Stoner to beat but yet again his shot was inaccurate.
On 76 minutes Crane was given a straight red card after sliding in on a player. He appeared to get the ball but according to the referee his feet were high in the incident.
Later on Godfrey played a neat one-two with Vassell before running into the box himself. Though he flashed his attempt across the face of goal. On the counter sub Callum Saunders sped through but his chipped attempt was well wide.
Then Godfrey was given space again in the Rocks half, allowing him to shoot on the rise from 30 yards, but it whizzed over the bar.
Rocks failed many times in the final third and the closest they came towards the end was when Saunders tried to play in Prior with a low cross. But the defence cleared the danger.
The management team would have been disappointed with the display of the Rocks especially in the second half, and will hope for better at home to Ramsgate this Saturday 7th January, 3pm kick off.
FT 3-0
Team: Stoner, Marzetti (Harper HT), Wollers (Saunders 59), Crane, Axten, Andrews (Breach 9), Beck, Wills, Prior, Dodd, Johnson
Unused Subs: Bond, Boyle (G/K)
