Injury hit Athletic hosted local rivals Hawkinge with only a bare 11players . A reshuffled back line were under pressure from the start as Hawkinge started well and went 2-0 up within the first 8 minutes , straight balls over the top were not dealt with and Hawkinge were left one on one with Athletic keeper Dan Smith having no chance with either. Athletic responded well and started playing better football , a set piece from the left got Athletic back into the match , Kyle Manton put a great ball in which was flicked on for Joss Henworth to volley home from close range , his first ever goal for the club . Athletic were a different hungrier side and equalised soon after , a tactical swap of the front two paid dividends immediately as Lochlan Murrow dribbled down the left and put a great ball in for Jeremy Jones Bah to finish calmly , again his first for the club .
Athletic conceded again early into the 2nd half , again a straight ball down the middle wasn’t dealt with and another striker one on one with Smith made it 3-2 Hawkinge. Athletic continued to believe and create chances and won a penalty 15 minutes from time , the ever dangerous Murrow again down the left was tripped in the box , Carson Philpott stepped up and calmly slotted into the left corner for 3-3
