Match Report - 10-Mar-2001
South Saxons 3rds 0 v Hailsham 2
The form book said that second placed Saxons would be too strong for mid table Hailsham but a superb performance of controlled hockey from the visitors ensured that the Saxons were well and truly conquered.
A key feature of the Hailsham play was the outstanding defending of full backs Richard Bishop and Laurens Dyer who both timed important tackles to perfection whilst centre back Sam Rham was the rock upon which many a Saxons attack foundered.
Rham's massive contribution to the game did not stop at defending as he stepped forward twice in the first half to score with fiercely struck shots from the edge of the D. The first came from open play and the second was a brilliantly dispatched hit from a short corner.
A two nil lead at the break was an outstanding achievement for the Hailsham outfit as Saxons had looked dangerous in the first half with their combination of experienced defenders and pacy young attackers and it was clear that they would throw everything forward in the second half.
Saxons commitment to attack especially down the flanks was clear from the restart but they found Hailsham left half Tony Newton in obdurate mood and the whole team prepared to scrap for every 50/50 ball. The match developed into a free flowing affair with Hailsham counter attacking with gusto forcing half a dozen short corners from which both Ian Johnson and Mike Dixon came close to scoring. Meanwhile Neil Phillips was doing a splendid job linking midfield and attack where Ben Stiles and Nick Giles provided hard running targets for defence splitting diagonal passes.
With ten minutes remaining Hailsham almost made it three when Ian Johnson slipped his marker and fed Simon Barden who came within a whisker of scoring but it was looking increasingly likely that Hailsham would achieve a shut out thanks to classy defending and the unflappable Hailsham keeper Dave Hathaway.
The final whistle signalled the end of an immensely satisfying victory for Hailsham and the end of a game that was a credit to both sides. After the game Skipper Richard Bishop commented:
"It's a privilege to skipper the side when they show that kind of commitment. We had a bit of a blip in form in February but if we win our last game of the season at home to Brighton on Saturday we'll finish with a hat trick of wins and our best league finish for many a year. "
Hailsham Ladies 1 v Horsham 3rds 2
Two teams playing attractive and fluent hockey made for a splendid game at the Park College astro on Saturday. In the end Horsham probably deserved their narrow victory but Hailsham made them fight for the result every inch of the way.
Horsham started particularly confidently and took the lead with a well converted penalty stroke but Hailsham came right back into the game when the industrious Gail Porter scored a well worked equaliser.
Both teams carved out further good chances but with both keepers on excellent form it looked as though the game would end in a draw.
However, with just five minutes to go Horsham grabbed the winner and all three points.
