Ton youngster remains grounded
Jonathan Mitchell • Published 10 Dec 2011 12:00
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS: Lewis, pictured with his father, Morton legend Warren Hawke.
Picture: George Munro
Lewis Hawke has revealed his dad is making sure he keeps his feet on the ground following his stunning start to life with the Morton under-19s.
The 18-year-old striker, son of former Cappielow favourite Warren, right, has netted an astonishing 14 goals in his first eight youth-team appearances, including nine in his past two games, since joining in October.
And while he is delighted with how things have gone so far, he is reluctant to focus on his individual goalscoring exploits and instead prefers to praise his team-mates.
Speaking exclusively to the Tele, Hawke junior said: "I wasn't expecting to start like this at all, as I've found it a real step-up from the standard of football I was playing at with Linwood Rangers.
"I joined Morton just over a month ago, and have scored 14 goals in eight games.
"But I've been very lucky in that I'm playing in a very good team that create lots of chances. In four of our last five games, we've won 6-4, 5-2, 6-0 and 5-1.
"And it's been brilliant playing up front with Conor Ramsay. He's a great player who never stops running and who has created most of my goals. The delivery from wide players like Joel Kasuband, Gordon Smith and Aiden Fulton is excellent too.
"So there's no way I'm getting carried away because I've scored a few goals - but my dad wouldn't let that happen anyway. He would make sure I kept my feet on the ground.
"I do feel a wee bit of pressure being a striker like him, but it's also helpful to play in the same position because he watches my games and gives me wee pieces of advice and suggests things I can improve on.
"I think I've already improved a lot in my time at Morton. The training with Mick Rankin and the coaches is excellent, and that's really helped bring me on. I'm really chuffed with the set-up here."
Ton fans will have the opportunity to see the young striker in action this Sunday when, weather permitting, the under-19s host Queen of the South at Cappielow in the fourth round of the Scottish Youth Cup.
And Hawke has revealed he cannot wait to play at his dad's old stamping ground again after securing a 5-1 victory over Clyde and 4-1 win against Forfar there in the preceding rounds.
He added: "I'm really looking forward to the tie against Queen of the South. It's a big game for us, and the cup matches are always a little bit more special because we play those at Cappielow.
"It's great to play there as it's a big park, and that suits my game. I played and scored in the last two cup matches and really enjoyed the experience.
"I was a ballboy at Cappielow in my dad's last few seasons as a player, including the Peterhead game when Morton won the Third Division, and played in his testimonial there too.
"With my boys' club you'd usually have the two benches and some parents at games, so it's great to walk out in a stadium and see fans in the stand to watch the game.
"Allan Moore usually watches our games as well, and that's really encouraging for all the boys in the team, especially when we see how well Thomas O'Ware has done after being given an opportunity in the first team."
l Sunday's Scottish Youth Cup tie against Queen of the South at Cappielow kicks off at 1pm.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 10 Dec 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
