Hailsham Hockey Club |
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Affiliated to: Sussex Hockey Association |
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For twenty minutes in their first league game of the new year Hailsham looked like a side that had seriously overindulged in the Christmas pud. To be fair Penguins were not much better in a scrappy opening third of the game but they were first to shake off their post Christmas blues when their left winger capitalised on a poor Hailsham clearance and hit an unstoppable shot just inside keeper Hathaway's right hand post.
This was the wake up call that Hailsham urgently needed and for the last fifteen minutes of the half they looked like a completely different team. Passing and movement improved in all areas of the team with Tony Newton influential in midfield and after excellent work from Neil Phillips down the right wing Hailsham equalised when Ian Johnson ran across the face of the goal before smacking home a reverse stick shot. Johnson made it two with another splendid finish five minutes later after a brilliant move that was begun when Sam Rham carried the ball out of defence before Neil Phillips and Steve Johnson combined well to set up the Hailsham centre forward.
The half time break came at the wrong time for a Hailsham side that looked as though it was preparing to leave Penguins trailing in the wake of more goals but the second half saw a more even encounter with Penguins raiding dangerously down the wings and keeper Hathaway called into effective action on several occasions.
At the other end however, it looked as though Hailsham would make the game safe with an astonishing five minute period when the Hailsham forwards laid seige to the Penguins goal and James Dyer and Neil Phillips both went agonisingly close. Only the woodwork and a brilliant finger tip save kept Penguins in the game and effectively earned them a point when seconds later they won a long corner and a brilliantly executed first time deflection flew into the Hailsham goal.
After a nightmare start Hailsham showed glimmers of the superb form that brought them 15 out of a possible 18 points in November and December but the side must know that they will need to improve massively next week if they are to get close to league leaders Sussex Police.
Hailsham's second team recorded back-to-back victories for the first time with a 3-1 victory over bottom side Brighton Flippers.
After a shaky start to their first season, the newly-formed second side are now unbeaten at home since October and have only lost once in the last four matches.
Two good goals from Simon Barden and another from John Martin clinched Saturday's victory against a spirited Brighton side.
The visiting Flippers started well and took the lead after 15 minutes when a shot which looked to be going wide hit defender Jonathan Rallings on the foot and flew into the net.
Hailsham's problems worsened when experienced midfielder Frank Rallings had to leave the field after the ball hit him in the mouth as he defended a short corner, although he did return to the game later.
Jonathan Rallings made up for his part in Brighton's goal by setting up Hailsham's equaliser on 20 minutes. He acted quicker than anyone on the field when a free hit was given just outside the D, playing the ball swiftly to veteran forward John Martin who blasted the ball straight into the net.
With several players performing out of position or having to move round the field during the match, Hailsham did well to get a hold on the game in the second half and took the lead when Don Paterson's pass released Simon Barden who shot home well.
Hailsham were the better side from then on but with the score at 2-1 Brighton were always in with a chance of equalising, especially when their impressive new midfield general had the ball. Hailsham keeper Craig Tasane had to pull off some good saves and one diving stop was particularly impressive.
So it was a relief for Hailsham when Barden wrapped up the victory with an excellent solo goal in the last minute. A long ball through the defence put him clear, but he still had to round the keeper before slotting the ball home.
The seconds have no game this weekend, but their new-found good form will be tested in the next match, on January 20, at home to Mid Sussex Martlets, who won the return fixture earlier in the season 9-0.
Team: Tasane, J Rallings, Major, H Drake (c), Paterson, Clarke, F Rallings, C Martin, Farnes, J Martin, Barden. Subs: D Drake, Prendergast.