Hailsham Hockey Club |
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Affiliated to: Sussex Hockey Association |
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Hailsham went into this game with one hand tied behind their backs after taking the pitch with just ten men. To their credit the ten players put in an honest hard working performance but in truth the club needed to be at full strength to contend with a young, fast and very skilful Crawley side that was anxious to avenge the defeat inflicted on them by Hailsham earlier in the season.
Crawley exploited the man advantage brilliantly moving men into space on the wings and supporting attacks with free running midfielders. Even so the lead was only 2 -0 at half time and Hailsham could realistically entertain hopes of a comeback thanks to some penetrating attacks of their own led by Ian Johnson.
However, in the first fifteen minutes of the second half everything went pear shaped with Crawley adding two more goals to their lead and Steve Johnson receiving a yellow card after a clash with a Crawley midfielder who also got his marching orders.
Surprisingly it was not all one way traffic for the rest of the game even though Crawley added another brace to make it 6-0. The Hailsham forward line forced a number of short corners and although it was little consolation when Neil Phillips scored for Hailsham shortly before the end it would have been a travesty had Hailsham not got on the score card.
A miserable afternoon for Hailsham was completed when Sam Rham also received a yellow card for what looked like a pretty innocuous infringement.
The only staisfaction the Hailsham outfit could take from this game was that the after match showers were hot.
Helen's Hat-Trick Heroics
A sparkling hat trick from Helen Major paved the way for a brilliant return to form by Hailsham ladies.
Throughout the afternoon Lewes were unable to cope with Teri Archer's accurate crosses from the right wing whilst Gail Porter and Emma Appleby selflessly supported the goal scoring opportunism of Helen Major.
Nicky Ouseman and Sandra Allen at the back dealt calmly with the occasional threat posed by the Lewes forward line and behind them keeper Pam Winter continued her recent run of good form. In addition to some classy saves her kicking distribution often launched attacks for Hailsham.
In central midfield Katie Stewart showed excellent vision and positioning whilst Liz Ball and Lucy Smith worked tirelessly for the cause.
After a recent spell of uncertainty this was Hailsham Ladies back to their very best.
Hailsham men's seconds got their season back on track in some style this week against Worthing Penguins fifths.
Despite the driving rain and the first absence of marauding midfielder James Clarke the team secured a 5:1 win, their biggest of the season so far and a welcome reversal of the 5:2 defeat suffered in November's away game.
The team's unbeaten run at home now stretches back to last October, a creditable run in their debut season Hailsham dominated from the push back and the committed midfield play of Tony Newton and Geoff Farnes ensured a steady supply of opportunities for the forwards.
John Martin opened the scoring in the fourth minute firing home through a crowd of players.However there followed a period of complacency as Hailsham's over confidence left only two defenders back, allowing a spirited Penguins side to quickly equalise.
Gradually, though Hailsham regained the initiative as Danny Willis's hit outs from deep increasingly found their targets. A spectacular period of play before half-time saw Hailsham score three goals in four minutes. The first, a scramble on the line claimed by Simon Barden, was swiftly followed up by an aggressive drive into the net from Gary Hastings. Barden then sealed the points with a sweetly struck shot rammed home at a tight angle between Keeper and near post.
After the break Hastings completed the scoring but more drama was to follow. A young Penguins player was struck hard on the leg by a shot from his own teammate. He was taken from the field and attended to by his captain. Reduced to nine men and trailing badly in appalling weather conditions the Worthing side decided they had suffered enough and conceded the game.
The offer was accepted by a benevolent Hailsham side who were happy to return to the dressing room and reflect on a job well done.
Hailsham will be away to St.Francis II on Saturday hoping to go one better than the drawn home game in November.