Hailsham Hockey Club |
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Affiliated to: Sussex Hockey Association |
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Hailsham continued their breath taking run of form with a brilliant 5 - 0 victory away at Middleton and Bognor.
Hailsham could be forgiven for a sluggish start after a two hour journey through torrential rain and extensive roadworks meant they only just made the start time. However, as the match settled down it was clear that Hailsham had the ammunition to hurt the opposition as both Ian Johnson and James Dyer went close following crisp passing moves and concerted pressure.
At the other end though Middleton were dangerous especially on the counter attack when their wings looked more than capable of exploiting any space they were given but as the Hailsham passing began to click it was the Middleton defence that looked likely to buckle.
Sure enough after twenty minutes Ian Johnson seized on a chance at the top of the D and struck a shot that looked destined to test the Middleton keeper before brother Steve got a decisive touch that ensured the keeper now had no chance.
As Middleton started to chase the game a Hailsham second looked likely and it duly arrived when James Dyer drifted in from his left wing position to flick the ball home in a crowded D.
A 2 -0 lead at half time was more than satisfactory against a good Middleton side but it was clear that the opposition would throw everything forward at the restart.
For ten minutes Middleton did indeed sweep forward with some excellent hockey but they found the Hailsham defence in obdurate mood with Jim Major and Laurens Dyer prominent and keeper Dave Hathaway in inspired form. One save when he threw himself backwards and sideways to block what looked like a certain goal was remarkable.
Having soaked up the pressure Hailsham put the game beyond reach with a brilliant example of swift counter attacking play. Neil Phillips cleared the ball on the edge of his D thirty yards to Ian Johnson who played a brilliant diagonal ball to Ben Stiles on the edge of the D. The Hailsham right winger took his time and calmly struck the ball between the keeper and his left hand post.
Having given it their all the Middleton heads started to drop and Hailsham took complete control. Their fourth goal came when Sam Rham who had another commanding game brought the ball out of defence before releasing Mike Dixon into acres of space down the right wing. His run was followed by a firm cross that Steve Johnson arriving at pace deflected first time into goal.
With ten minutes to go Hailsham made it an emphatic five when James Dyer fed Ian Johnson and the rampaging Hailsham centre forward drew two defenders before playing an unselfish reverse pass to Mike Dixon who was able to sweep the ball first time past the demoralised Middleton keeper.
Hailsham Scorers
Steve Johnson 2
James Dyer 1
Ben Stiles 1
Mike Dixon 1
Goals from James Clarke and Simon Barden carried Hailsham seconds to a shock victory over second-place East Grinstead Badgers.
Up against a team beaten only once before this season, Hailsham turned in by far their best performance of the campaign, with all 11 men playing well.
The visitors started the game strongly and had Hailsham on the back foot for the first few minutes. But having withstood that pressure, the home side then dominated the rest of the first half.
They were unlucky not to score when a well-worked short corner routine led to Jonathan Rallings hitting the post and Rallings was again denied when the keeper saved his shot from point-blank range.
But Hailsham took the lead from another clever short corner close to half time. Geoff Farnes played the ball to Frank Rallings, who passed to William Martin, who in turn played the ball into the path of James Clarke, who swept the ball between the goalie's legs for his first ever goal for the club.
Hailsham doubled their lead in the second half when the impressive Simon Barden, whose pace caused problems for the opposition throughout the game, raced onto a Frank Rallings through ball before rounding the keeper and crashing the ball home.
The visitors pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left but Hailsham defended resolutely through to the final whistle under almost constant pressure to secure their first win since the opening day of the season.
There were top quality performances throughout the team in what was a deserved victory, with the defence of Damian Martin, Tony Newton and Henry Drake restricting the Badgers to only two clear chances all game, while Frank Rallings and William Martin bossed the midfield excellently.
The seconds aren't in league action again until the new year.
Team: Tasane, D Martin, Newton, Drake (c), Clarke, F Rallings, W Martin, J Rallings, Farnes, Barden, C Martin.