The new recruit hit a bending shot from outside the box, which cannoned off the post and into the net to give his team a 2-0 lead at Logan Park Turf on Saturday.
That was how the score remained, as the Royals beat Mosgiel in a local derby to open the new Southern Football League.
The Royals dominated the early proceedings and were denied an opening goal due to Dan Robinson’s great reflex save, following a smart turn and shot from Raven August.
Just as Mosgiel grew into the game, and had two chances blocked on the line from Rahan Ali and Javier Langley, August broke clear in the 20th minute.
His superb cross from the left found Ollie Cassidy in the six-yard box and his deft touch gave the Royals the lead.
Braden Fowell was getting forward for the Royals at every opportunity and, after a mazy run, his goal-bound shot was blocked.
Mosgiel was denied by another goal line clearance on 32 minutes, when a long ball from Rory Findlay found Ali, who beat newcomer Tim O'Farrell and lobbed Alex Boomer in goal, but not the last defender.
From a corner right on halftime, the impressive August headed narrowly over for the Royals and, in the opening minute following the restart, Mosgiel’s Caleb Osborne reacted smartly to clear a goal-bound effort off the line.
Hawkins had a quiet first half, but he found space and he created an opportunity but was denied by Robinson.
The Royals introduced Ben Stanley in the 57th minute and then coach Richard Murray made a double switch, the attacking En Watanabe and the more defensive Ollie Petersen coming on with 20 minutes to go.
The switch had an immediate effect as it gave Hawkins more confidence and, two minutes, later he fired his rocket to make it 2-0.
Mosgiel rallied late on and Boomer produced a great reaction save to deny Cody Brook’s close-range header with seven minutes to go.
Yet another Mosgiel opportunity was cleared off the line and, in the melee, Mosgiel did bundle it over the line. However, the officials ruled Boomer had control of the ball.
Green Island fell 3-1 in an away opener to Nelson Suburbs yesterday.
James McPhie gave the home team a seventh-minute lead, before Matt Milton drew level for Green Island four minutes later.
McPhie scored again in the 26th minute, before replacement Jamie McGookin sealed the win for Nelson in the 88th minute.
In other results, Cashmere Technical beat Ferrymead Bays 2-0, while Christchurch United downed Coastal Spirit 3-2.
The game between Nomads United and Selwyn was postponed.
In the ODT Women’s Southern Premier League the Dunedin City Royals opened with a 6-0 win over Green Island.
Chelsea Whittaker bagged four goals, while Margarida Dias and Toni Power added one each.
Holly White and Jasmine Prince both scored four each as Roslyn Wakari made Northern’s return to the top grade a tough one, with an 11-0 thrashing.
The match between Mosgiel and Queenstown Rovers was postponed.
In the ODT Southern Premier League, the Dunedin City Royals 2nds were too strong for Green Island 2nds, winning 6-1 after a hat-trick from Daffyd Spratt.
Northern scored four second-half goals to beat Wanaka 5-1, while Carlos Hermann’s return made a difference as Queenstown beat Mosgiel 2nds 4-1.
Roslyn Wakari beat Northern Hearts 4-1, while Otago University won 3-1 against Queens Park.
- Neville Watason
