Herstmonceux 5 v 2 Old Hastonians

Wednesday 15th April 2015
Lime Cross, Herstmonceux
East Sussex League Division Two
Admission and Programme: Nil
Attendance: 12 (head count)
Match Rating: 4

My first game of this year's silly season saw me head to watch a game in the third tier of the East Sussex League, to a rural village ground that had been on my radar to visit for some time - indeed, I attempted to take in a game here back in January, only to find the game had been moved to a 3G pitch in Eastbourne. To be fair, that was probably something of a blessing in disguise - Lime Cross proving a much nicer place to enjoy a football match in the warm early evening sunshine than it surely would have been on a damp, cold winter's day.

Lime Cross is about a five minute walk eastwards from Herstmonceux village centre, just off the main A271 road, and a large club welcome sign is postioned at the entrance of the ground. The pitch is naturally enclosed by a low hedge all around, with pleasant views of the countryside behind three sides of the ground, with one of the nearby Observatory's turrets just about visible. There are large brick built dugouts, but there is no clubhouse or other building present here - players have to change at the recreation ground a couple of minutes walk over the hill from the football pitch. All in all, it's a lovely setting for a game in fair weather conditions, in a peaceful location amidst attractive quintessentially English countryside.

Coming into this game, Old Hastonians, who I had watched very luckily lose in the Division One/Two League Cup Final a couple of weeks ago, still had a chance of claiming a runners-up spot and a promotion berth, in second place with 29 points from 14 games, but that is out of their hands, being only four points ahead of JC Tackleway, who had two games in hand. Herstmonceux realistically do not have too much left to play for this season, in sixth place with 24 points from 13 games although mathematically they could still claim the runners-up spot. When the two teams met last month, the game finished 1-1.

On a warm, sunny evening, following the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures above 20C, the game certainly had a lightening and surprising start, when Herstmonceux took the lead within the first two minutes. The ball was played down the middle through the defence and Ricky Roberts slotted the ball past the keeper. It was slightly controversial, as there wasn't a linesman in place at the time. The home side doubled their advantage on 10 minutes, when the keeper couldn't get a meaningful punch on the ball from a long throw-in, and the ball dropped to the feet of Thomas Budd, who tapped the ball into an empty net. Old Hastonians pulled a goal back on 26 minutes with a very avoidable goal from the home side's point of view. A long high ball was played forward, and the defender seemed to have plenty of time to deal with the ball, but at the last moment inexplicably pulled away, allowing William Cullen to nip in to slot the ball past the keeper. The visitors almost went into the half time break on level terms, when the keeper pulled off a great reflex save from a close range deflected shot.

So, on paper at least, a slightly surprising scoreline at half-time, but no doubt that Herstmonceux deserved their lead, which they increased three minutes after the break, the ball was played through the defence and Alex Spiers poked the ball home. They almost scored a fourth on 52 minutes, when a powerful strike from the edge of the area heading for the top right hand corner forced a good save from the keeper. However, within a minute they were awarded a penalty, and the ball was struck to the bottom left hand corner of the net with the keeper diving the other way. However, the referee ruled the goal out, spotting a player encroaching and ordered a retake. Alastair Thompson stepped up to strike the ball just inside the left hand post despite the keeper this time going the right way, to give the hosts a seemingly unassailable 4-1 lead. They had a couple of chances to extend their lead yet further, but on 72 minutes, Old Hastonians were themselves awarded what seemed a very soft looking penalty, which was converted down the middle by David Pugh to give the visitors a sniff of a remarkable comeback. And suddenly, for the first time in the game, there was a feeling that the game wasn't yet up for Old Hastonians, who now had the impetus, and throughout the game, Herstmonceux did appear to be a little vulnerable defensively. However, with five minutes remaining, Herstmonceux put the game to bed with a terrific shot, Ronnie Platt thumping the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from 25 yards, and the keeper never moved. Herstmonceux saw the game out comfortably to move up to fifth place in the table, and they need two points from their last two games to move ahead of Crowhurst, who have completed their fixtures. The result was a huge setback for Old Hastonians, with fourth placed JC Tackleway now needing just four points from their last three games to overhaul them.

Hollington United 2 v 1 Iden

Monday 13th April 2015

Priory Lane, Eastbourne

Birchwood Group Challenge Cup Final

Admission including Programme: £3.00

Attendance: 100 (estimate)

Match Rating: 4

Having decided to watch most cup finals involving East Sussex League clubs this season, this one would be the biggest occasion, being open to clubs in the top division of the league, and with the game being hosted at a Conference stadium, at the home of Eastbourne Borough.

There was certainly a clear favourite to win this evening. Hollington United are always one of the strongest (in every sense of the word) teams in the East Sussex League, and were defending the cup this evening, having won last year's competition. Coming into this game, they are guaranteed a runners-up spot, with 38 points and 12 wins from their 15 league games. Iden were in sixth place in the ten team division, with 19 points from 16 games, having lost nine of those. When the two finalists met in the league this season, Hollington won 5-2 at home and 0-2 away, although Iden were victorious 3-1 in the Hastings Intermediate Cup Quarter Final - and indeed, Iden have made it to the final of that competition. To reach this evening's final, Hollington defeated Robertsbridge United 7-0 at home, Sedlescombe Rangers 6-1 at home and Rock-a-Nore 1-3 away in the semi-final, while Iden defeated Peche Hill Select 3-1 at home, league champions elect St Leonards Social 1-2 away, before beating Battle Baptists 4-2 at home after extra time.

On a gloriously warm and sunny evening, the first goal actually came before the game was even scheduled to kick off, Hollington taking the lead with just two minutes on the clock, with a good finish on the turn from 12 yards by Shane Ryan which just rolled past the keeper's dive. Iden responded really well, creating several really good goalscoring chances, before they did get back on level terms on 16 minutes when the ball was poked home by Francis Walker following a free kick. The equaliser seemed to wake Hollington up, who really should have retaken the lead - on 20 minutes, after the keeper came to the left hand edge of his area to meet a long ball forward, the Hollington striker lobbed him but the ball bounced on the top of the crossbar, on 25 minutes, they saw a header from a corner headed off the line, and a powerful shot the just outside of the area forced an unorthodox save by the keeper with his legs. But it was all to play for as the half time whistle blew, with the score locked at 1-1.

Into the second half, and the game became an ever more bruising affair which the referee struggled to control, not helping himself with some really strange and inconsistent decisions, as two footed out of control lunges only drew a yellow card, as did some very minor pushing offences. Hollington went back into the lead on 76 minutes, when some excellent quick passing inside the box resulted in the ball being slotted past the keeper by Alan Foster. Although Iden kept battling away, it was always Hollington who looked more likely to score, although deep in injury time, Iden saw a powerful free kick heading for the top corner saved at full stretch by the keeper. But it was disappointment for the loud contingent of Iden supporters as Hollington deservedly held on to lift the cup shortly after the final whistle. This was an entertaining event, with plenty of commitment and passion on show, with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

St Francis Rangers 0 v 2 Pagham

Saturday 11th April 2015

Colwell Ground, Haywards Heath

Sussex County League Division One

Admission: £6.00

Programme: £1.00

Attendance: 45

Match Rating: 3

Wanting to watch a senior game today without a long or complicated journey, I had little choice but to revisit a ground. However, my only previous visit to the Colwell Ground was over ten years ago, and I recall it being quite a scenic ground with a certain rural charm to it.

The Colwell Ground is a brisk half hour walk from Haywards Heath train station, and is located close to the Princess Royal Hospital, but otherwise is very difficult to follow, with no signs pointing the way to the ground until a couple of small club signs immediately outside the entrance. Facilities here are basic and rustic, but it is refreshing to note that there is not an identikit stand in sight. One enters behind a goal, where there is a green coloured double decker clubhouse with a corrugated iron exterior and has certainly seen better days - apparently plans are in place to replace it. A very limited range of drinks and snacks (disappointingly including out of date chocolate bars)  are available from a small room that has the feel of a scout hut (although spectators are encouraged to proceed to the clubhouse in the nearby hospital complex for alcoholic drinks and hot food after the game), and facilities do not appear to be much better for players or officials, but it will still be a shame when this rustic building on the groundhopping circuit is consigned to history. Hard standing is available behind this goal, and along one length, where there are also a couple of wooden stands covering a flat concrete area up to the dugouts, whilst on the far side of the dugouts is a small all-seater stand, with three rows very closely packed together resulting in an absolute minimum of leg room. From this side, former hospital buildings now converted into housing perched above the ground provides an imposing and attractive backdrop. Behind the other goal is hard standing, although spectators did not seem to be encouraged to venture there, whilst along the other length there is just grass to stand on, and from this side, this time the backdrop is green countryside leading up to the South Downs in the distance. Trees lining both goals completes a pleasantly rural feel to the ground. The programme was dreadful - a classic example of where charging a pound is naughty and if the club is to produce such a poor programme, then in my opinion it really should be included with entry or a nominal amount charged. Just a potted history of today's opponents and predicted line ups was of any relevance to today's game.

Coming into this game, there was certainly more in this game for the visitors, Pagham looking to consolidate their third place position in the league, four points ahead of fourth placed Eastbourne Town, and with faint hopes of catching the top two, but were six points behind second placed Littlehampton and ten points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers (although Pagham have a game in hand), with four games left to play. They came into this game in good form, winning their last three games. St Francis came into this game in twelfth place, with seemingly nothing left to play for. They have drawn their last two games and have won only once of their last six games, that win coming against one of the division's two whipping boys, Crawley Down Gatwick. When today's teams met in January, Pagham won 4-2.

On a warm, sunny afternoon, after a fairly even opening to the game, but once Pagham took the lead on 20 minutes, they were completely dominant for the rest of the half, as St Francis struggled to stay in the game, and the only surprise was that the visitors had only opened up a two goal lead by half time. On 20 minutes, some good quick passing inside the box resulted in a cross to a more central position, and Howard Neighbour poked the ball home first time under pressure from defenders. On 28 minutes, Pagham scored their second with a lovely free-kick from right on the edge of the area, curled into the top left hand corner despite the keeper getting good hands to the ball. Four minutes later and only the woodwork denied Pagham a third, and by the time half time arrived, St Francis would have been glad to have only conceded twice.

The second half was very competitive, and St Francis came much more into the game, but one always felt that Pagham were just doing enough to keep the home side at bay and could have stepped back up a level had the home side got a goal back. St Francis twice came close to getting on the score sheet, first on 66 minutes when the ball was swung into the box and a free header went just wide of the goal, and on 81 minutes, a powerful header from a cross came back off the underside of the bar and bounced clear. But in truth, Pagham held on quite comfortably to secure the three points, and following news that fourth placed Eastbourne Town lost today, Pagham look certain for at least a third placed finish, and with leaders Dorking Wanderers losing and second placed Littlehampton only drawing, Pagham can dream of an even better finish.

Bexhill United 2 v 1 Westfield

Friday 10th April 2015

The Polegrove, Bexhill-on-Sea

Hastings & District FA Senior Cup Final

Admission and Programme: None

Attendance: 100 (estimate)

Match Rating: 3

This was something of a bonus game to take in, an all too rare and an unexpected opportunity to take in some Friday night football. On paper, being a senior cup final would certainly add some spice to the occasion, however the reality was a rather farcical event, when one wondered if there was really any point in playing the fixture at all.

For the second year running, this cup competition was only entered into by two clubs, the same clubs as last year, when Westfield triumphed 3-0 at Little Common's Recreation Ground. This year's fixture was only announced on Wednesday, and perhaps as a result, there was no admission money taken nor programme produced. This fixture would also be both clubs' final fixture of the season - and possibly Westfield's final game as a senior club, as they will finish in a low enough position in the league to be vulnerable to ground grading relegation, as their ground is not up to senior standard. They are fourth bottom of Sussex County League Division Two, with 29 points from 28 games. After looking contenders for promotion from the same decision, Bexhill completed their fixtures in fifth place, with 49 points from their 28 games, but will drop a place if Oakwood win either of their final two games. When the two teams met in the league, the game finished 1-1 at the Polegrove, whilst Bexhill won 0-1 at the Parish Field.

After a warm, sunny day but with warnings of high pollution levels in this part of the world resulting in experts warning against physical activities this afternoon, this was very much a game of two halves. Westfield had the better of the first, although Bexhill had the first clear chance of the match, when the ball was played low through the middle, allowing Chris Cumming-Bart to run through on goal, and although he lifted the ball over the keeper, it bounced on the top of the crossbar and over. Westfield took the lead on 18 minutes, when a free kick was curled into the box by Lawrence Brand and Sam Henham guided the ball with his head into the net. They went on to dominate the next 20 minutes, and always looked likely to double their lead, most notably on 29 minutes when a long range free kick by David Pugh came back off the top right hand corner of crossbar and post. Almost out of nothing, Bexhill got back on level terms on 39 minutes, when George Gaston fired in a free kick low into the bottom right hand corner, and the keeper didn't move - strangely so, as he had plenty of time to see it and react.

Although Westfield had the first significant chance of the second half, when a free kick by Pugh from the edge of the area was drilled and drew a reflex block save from the keeper, Bexhill were to dominate the second half, as Westfield's play became rather sloppy. On 67 minutes, Bexhill took the lead with a great goal. Andy Harman drove with the ball down the right wing from inside his own half until he reached the penalty area, checked back inside before firing in a powerful swerving shot across the keeper and into the far top corner. Erratic goalkeeping by the Westfield number one was almost punished twice with around ten minutes to go, first when a Bexhill player in his own half saw the keeper out of his area, went for the shot on goal but the keeper just managed to get back in time to block the ball, and then the keeper fumbled the ball but was fortunate that no Bexhill player could get a decisive touch until it was eventually ballooned over the bar. In the end, those near misses did not matter, as Bexhill held on quite comfortably to lift the cup on the pitch shortly after the final whistle in a very swift ceremony in which the trophy was passed to the Bexhill captain, as the Hastings FA official explained to all that no medals were produced due to the very late arrangement of the fixture.