Match Report - 03-Mar-2001
Hailsham 7 v Middleton and Bognor 3rds 0
Hailsham are back. That was the clear message sent out by this scintillating seven goal victory. After the game skipper Richard Bishop spoke of the "great character" shown by every member of his team in halting a run of three defeats in such emphatic style.
Before the match the team was buoyed by the return of Steve Johnson and Neil Phillips to bolster the midfield and their influence was revealed straight away as Hailsham produced some accurate, measured passing as they searched for an early opening.
Middleton defended spiritedly but there was always the sense that a goal or two would see resistance crumble pretty quickly. Sure enough the first goal arrived after good work from Neil Phillips allowed Ian Johnson to thump into an empty net and not long afterwards Johnson made it 2 -0 with the goal of the game. Picking the ball up twenty hards out he beat one then two players with some nifty stick work before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the goal.
To their credit Middleton kept it at 2 - 0 ubtil half time. Their attacks had been sporadic but when they did push forward they found full backs Laurens Dyer and Richard Bishop in uncompromising mood whilst centre back Sam Rham combined attacking and defensive duties with his usual aplomb.
The second half saw Hailsham produce a blistering display of attacking hockey that simply blew the opposition away. First Ian Johnson completed his hat trick and then Neil Phillips got in on the act with his own second half hat trick that combined some classy finishing with an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. Nick made it a magnificent seven with a crisp finish and such was Hailsham's dominance that keeper Dave Hathaway, who has been the busiest player on the pitch in the last three games, never touched the ball.
This result was a massive boost to Hailsham's confidence and once again showed that when this side is good they are very very good.
EAST GRINSTEAD BADGERS 3 HAILSHAM II 0
Hailsham seconds suffered a comprehensive defeat at East Grinstead to bring a promising first season to a disappointing end.
But despite being beaten by a good Badgers side, Hailsham secured sixth place in the fourth division table.
As with many games against sides from the top half, Hailsham spent most of the game on the back foot.
A lively young East Grinstead attack caused constant problems which the seconds did well to repel and only be breached three times.
It was 1-0 at half time and the visitors' decision to play top scorer Simon Barden in defence was looking like a mistake. He moved back up front in the second half and the team benfitted from the change.
But when Hailsham did manage to carve out a few chances they failed to make the most of them. At one short corner two players tried to stop the ball, neither knowing who it was aimed for.
East Grinstead almost doubled the lead when their tricky playmaker beat keeper Craig Tasane with a rising shot, only to see James Clarke brilliantly clear it off the line with an outstretched stick.
But it was only a matter of time before more goals came and the Badgers went 2-0 up, then 3-0 through a debatable goal. Hailsham's umpire clearly saw a foot offence against the scorer, but the home umpire refused to accept the decision and over-ruled.
Despite the disappointment of final-day defeat, Hailsham seconds can take credit from a good first season. Despite around half the players never having played before, under the strong captaincy of Henry Drake they've taken points off every team bar the runaway top two to clinch an impressive mid-table position.
