Results

Newhaven u18 4-0 Hailsham u18 (HT 2-0)

The latest match for the U18’s was a home fixture against Hailsham U18’s where we would hope to replicate the winning result against them on their pitch.

Unlike last week we had a strong squad available including a new player, Luke Gilligan, and Marley and Kirk were also able to be included. We knew this fixture would be a tough one and to get a result we would have to be at our best and to start the game on the front foot and take the game to Hailsham. Well from the kick off we did create a chance but Marley’s effort drifted just wide but this attack seemed to wake Hailsham up and they took the game to us. Indeed for the next 25 minutes or so it was Hailsham that did most of the pressing and the attacking and Steve in our goal had to make several important saves to keep us in the game. There were a couple of other Hailsham attacks that we managed to survive and at one point it appeared that it was only a matter of time before they scored. We did manage a couple of counter attacks from Marley and George Squires but their efforts were saved. However just after the half hour mark rather against the run of play we managed to score from a corner taken by G S who crossed the ball over into the area. The goalkeeper flapped at the ball deflecting it onto the cross bar and Drew at the far post came in to slot the ball home. 1-0. This goal seemed to deflate Hailsham and we scored again 4 minutes later when the ball was played forward and Marley collected it between two players, went on and slotted the ball under the keeper.

2-0 ahead at half time where in truth Hailsham had been more than held their own but we had ridden their attacks and struck twice to lead. However to make the result more certain we would have to increase our tempo in the second half and take the game to Hailsham but to expect some response from them. The second half started positively and we created a couple of chances early, one from a George S free kick where the resulting header was well saved and another from Marley who failed to capitalise in a 1-1 situation with the keeper. Hailsham did create a couple of their own chances and another great save by Steve kept us ahead and somehow we managed to clear an effort from a corner. However again after soaking up pressure it was us who scored again when Marley collected the ball and although he was forced wide he turned and managed to cross the ball into George S path to pass the ball into the net. 3-0. The play was fairly even for a while with no real goal threats from either team until the final 10 minutes where Steve had to make another great save and where we scored our 4th goal. Kirk collected the ball just inside the Hailsham half and went forward and despite being forced to one side he still had the power and accuracy to beat the keeper on his near post. 4-0. This was the final result and although the score indicates a comfortable win it was not the case because Hailsham had played some good football and caused us problems at times. However we had adapted to the conditions and although not pretty to watch at times had played well enough to win the game so credit to all the players.

Squad- Steve Beasley, Steve Nash, George Todd (c), Jake Thomsett, Harry Woodward, Sam White, Toby Potter-Drake, Nathan Lock, Fraser Cox, Drew Wain, George Squires, Louis Bass, Henry Carey, Kirk Staley, Luke Gilligan, Marley Ambler.