Match Report - 31-Mar-2001
Middleton and Bognor 1 v Hailsham Ladies 3
Hailsham Ladies finished their league season in fine style with a convincing 3-1 victory over a young Middleton and Bognor side.
Any thoughts that Hailsham might have struggled in a higher division after gaining promotion last year have been well and truly shattered after a string of impressive victories this year and a likely third place finish is a great achievement for a small playing squad.
Hailsham were always in control of a sporting encounter from the moment Helen Major gave them the lead in the first half. A gutsy Middleton side did well to pull one back but a sharp shooting Helen Major fired home another goal before half time and then Lucy Smith made sure of the victory in the second half with a cleverly taken strike.
Captain Mary Major paid tribute to her players at the end of the game for their hard work and commitment to the cause throughout a long and successful season.
Next Sunday the Ladies appear in the semi final of the vase against Horsham Ladies. As this is the day after the Club's awards night it could be a case of orange juices all round for this talented side.
Hailsham 7 v Lewes 5ths 2
The fantastic spirit at Hailsham Hockey Club was summed up by this highly competitive end of season friendly. Hit by injuries and unavailability the Hailsham first team looked like they might have to take the field with just nine men. However just seconds before the start two members of the second team arrived having dashed back from their own game in Hastings. By half time two more members of the seconds had also arrived to relieve some weary legs.
In spite of the final scoreline it was Lewes who looked like the better side in the opening ten minutes and they thoroughly deserved to take the lead. Stung by this Hailsham soon replied with a typical individual effort from the irrepressible Ian Johnson. The game was to turn into a personal triumph for leading goalscorer Johnson as he went on to hit a remarkable five goals and the Lewes defenders will probably continue to have nightmares about Johnson until next season.
Surprisingly Hailsham could not turn their dominance into goals until well into the first half and not before going behind again. Once again Johnson got things back on level terms and now Hailsham really woke up. Johnson completed his hat trick before half time after excellent work down the right by Geoff Farnes and Don Patterson and then Sam Rham produced a brilliant cross for Nick Giles to sweep into the net. Hailsham's commitment to attack meant that Lewes looked dangerous on the counter attack and keeper Dave Hathaway was called upon to make some stunning saves including one breathtaking head high reflex save.
In the second half an increasingly vocal Lewes side became more frustrated as Hailsham wisely let their superior hockey do the talking and Ian Johnson bagged his fourth and fifth goals whilst Nick Giles popped up to get his second. Lewes pluckily still threatened but Ben Stiles' leech like marking of the Lewes centre forward was a perfect demonstration of unflappable defensive play made all the more impressive by his abilty to stay ice cool on a day when the failure of too many players to keep their mouths shut was the only disappointment.
A 7-2 victory was a brilliant end to a successful season for the club. Stand in skipper Mike Dixon commented: "It was a privilege to captain these guys. The self discipline they showed in the second half was outstanding and if there is a better finisher in our division than Ian Johnson I'd like to meet him!"
Hailsham finish their season next week with a club game at Park College at 2pm. In the evening the Club will hold its end of season buffet and awards ceremony at Hailsham Football Club. With the ladies riding high in their divison, the mens' first team achieving their highest position in Division one for many a year and the successful launch of a new mens' second eleven the club will have a lot to celebrate.
