Men's 2 vs Eastbourne 4

Part 3 of the hailsham derby day saw the men’s 2’s up against Eastbourne 4’s.

Straight from the push back it seemed to go towards Eastbourne’s way with youth and speed on their side. They really pushed Hailsham’s defence, but with Luke Hayes leading the back 4 they were able keep them from testing Kal.

The momentum between both teams swung like a pendulum back and forth, until it finally went Hailsham’s way when the one and only super sub John Bartlett came on and snagged the first goal! Receiving the ball just inside the D, John fired it at goal, deflecting off an Eastbourne defender’s stick, cleared over the keeper and into the back of the net! VAR checked and confirmed no head or foot in play.

Once again, Eastbourne really pushed the Hailsham defence, gaining short corners and some shots at goal, forcing Kal to pull some big moves to keep them out. Hailsham countered with some fresh legs in the form of Ryan Moore who made his first outfield appearance. He made some storming runs up the right side with powerful cross pitch passes that were a bit wide off the mark, perhaps the rust not quite shaken off his stick. That, or he really wanted to make sure the Hailsham left back had stretched before the game.

The second half continued much like the first, with Ant Hathaway seemingly popping up everywhere hassling the Eastbourne mid field. Unfortunatley, Eastbourne finally broke through to even the score, with the ball sneaking in after a scramble inside the D.

Aiden Millier appeared with shin pads also terrorising the midfield, his powerful hits making sure not just Eastbourne were on their toes. The Hailsham cheer section aka the Dan Ruthven fan club really boosted Dan to bear down on his opponents and show them why they call him the destroyer of men!

In the dying minutes the Hailsham left back intercepted a pass in the midfield. He charged towards the Eastbourne corner and fired the ball across the Eastbourne goal. Once again John Bartlett with a deft reverse sweep found the back off the net!

The whistle blew shortly after. Hailsham 2 Eastbourne 1

Hailsham Mens 2 are on the up, taking their second victory in two weeks with John racking up 3 goals in 2 games! Mom John Bartlett.