Men's 1s vs Worthing 3

With an early start, Hailsham 1s arrived at Worthing in good spirits, helped by the rare sunshine, but well aware that this could be a potential banana skin in their title challenge.

In true Hailsham fashion, the team immediately took control of the bar, even if it was just for changing (it wasn’t even 10am, we’re not animals…)

The game start off at a high pace with both team pressing hard and forcing both defences into a couple of early mistakes. Hailsham rallied first and following some great play between Team Josh, the ball founded it’s way to Flo at the edge off the D to open the scoring with a straight strike into the far bottom corner. 1-0 Hailsham.

At this point the game opened up, Worthing began to throw an extra player forward making hard work for Lee and Dan at full-back, and unfortunately a rare lapse allowed a Worthing forward to find the blind spot between Bailey and I to tap in at the back post. 1-1.

Half-time couldn’t come quick enough with both teams starting to blow, and after some tough words from Flo, Hailsham were back out with a renewed determination.

We held possession a lot better in this half, frustrating the opposition and forcing them into mistakes when they did get the ball. With our rotating wide players of Sam B, Kirk and Dave intercepting almost everything down the wings following impressive pressing from Higgs, Smith-Jones and Aiden up front.

Back to form the short corners started coming (at both ends!) with Josh SJ continuing the scoring with a trademark finish before an exciting move which finished with Dave intercepting a save at chest height, sending the ball back across goal for Flo to knock in his second.

Quick mention to Dan R who single handedly stopped the wave of Worthing short corners with only one of the strikes making it through to the goal, which was promptly disallowed by the umpire for not fully entering the D before it was struck. Very close and a lucky escape for Hailsham.

That scare gave the lads a second-wind with both Dan and Lee venturing further up the wings to support in attack and Bailey putting their forward in his pocket to keep the game all Hailsham for a while. Soon after, another Hailsham short-corner was turned in by Dave (his first of 2024) out muscling the keeper to get in front and direct Lee’s cross into goal. 4-1 Hailsham.

Injuries started to catch up with us with Kieran and Sam B joining Headey on the side and Rham positioning himself in defence. Which felt weird… But the pressure didn’t stop with Higgs and Flo winning the ball in midfield and sending Smith-Jones and Aiden through 2 on 1 with the last man, Aiden found himself in acres of space and uncharacteristically crossed the ball back to SJ to smash into an open net. 5-1 to Hailsham.

This is how the score would finish, but not without some late drama. Worthing earnt a late short corner on the final whistle, which your author didn’t notice proceeding to loudly proclaim “Hailsham 3 cheers for Worthing…..oh s***” and earning himself the pleasure of writing this novel. Not wanting to be remembered for that, the strike was saved with a casual right-footed backheel at waist height to direct the ball up and over the crossbar. Noice.

After a difficult day we got it over the line and now go into the last two games of the season 4 points clear only needing one more win to seal the title.

Man of the Match went to Dan Ruthven who is continuing to improve week on week.

The popularity vote went to Captain Ryan (me) for trying to end the game too early.