Peter Bentley Challenge Cup Round 1
The Beaconsfield, Hailsham
Admission: £5.00
Programme: 50p
Attendance: 113
This evening, I decided to pay my first midweek visit of the season to one of my local clubs, inspired by a warm, sunny evening in prospect after a long day in the office, for what would be my first visit to The Beaconsfield since last August.
There have been no alterations to the ground since last season, and so The Beaconsfield remains a really pleasant, relaxing venue to watch football in fine weather, augmented with the usual friendly feel around the place. The club's programme also remains remarkably good value, still priced at just 50p for 36 pages packed with interesting and varied reading material. If only all programmes offered this excellent value, the printed programme would surely still be widely purchased and not be under threat at an increasing number of clubs.
Both sides have only played one game so far, with Hailsham opening their season with a goalless draw away at East Preston, while Mile Oak had a disappointing start, losing 3-0 at Wick. Hailsham will certainly be looking for a better season this time around, having finished third bottom of the 18 club division last season, while Mile Oak finished in 13th place. It was certainly entertaining for me watching Mile Oak last season, twice having watched them win 4-3, once coming back from three goals down.
A very decent crowd was present this evening, presumably also taking advantage of a gloriously sunny evening, although it did feel slightly cooler than anticipated in a stiff breeze. Hailsham opened the game strongly, creating some decent chances, but as the half wore on, Mile Oak came back into the game and created some good chances of their own. But the game remained goalless at the break.
Hailsham really seemed to up a gear or two after the break against their youthful opponents, and they were awarded a penalty on 49 minutes when Harry Butler was tripped just inside the area, which was duly converted by Connor Martin into the bottom left hand corner. Hailsham then proceeded to create several great chances to extend their lead, until they finally did on 81 minutes when the ball was crossed, taking a deflection into the path of Martin, who was all alone to strike the ball powerfully past the keeper. And the tie was put beyond all doubt on 88 minutes when Connor Townsend saw his initial shot blocked by the keeper, but the ball bounced back to Townsend to tuck the ball home.
So it was Hailsham who deservedly progressed into the next round, where they will face a tough tie against Premier Division outfit Crowborough Athletic in early September. Although it was a disappointing outcome for Mile Oak, it was a very young side they fielded this evening, with at least 3 players from their Under 18 team making their debut this evening, and their manager Enzo Benn being away on holiday.
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