Weekly Report

ESFL Cup Finals day got off to a cracking start at Little Common FC with the two mid-table Premiership sides Rock a Nore and Ticehurst locking horns. On a bumpy pitch, Rocks took the lead on eighteen minutes when Richard Kingshott hit a forty yard free-kick which sailed over the heads of everybody and into the Ticehurst net. Ticehurst however got back into the groove and were rewarded with a goal before half-time from Wayne Stone; helped over the line via a deflection from Rocks Karl Manning. It was Darren Hensher who got the eventual winner, twenty minutes into the second period, when he managed to drill the ball past the Ticehurst keeper from an acute angle. Despite some late pressure from Ticehurst, the Rocks held on to eventually lift the cup.

There was another very close fought encounter between Hollington United II and Division Two side Sedlescombe Rangers in the Wisdens Sports Challenge Cup Final. An even contest was really decided by the sharp finishing of Mark Larkin, who scored both goals for United in their 2-1 win.

Herstmonceux II won the ADA Challenge Cup by defeating Division Four rivals Guestling 2-1. Both teams sparred with each other first-half with defences dominant. The game came to life after fifty minutes when Matt Wheeler opened Herstmonceux’s account with a screamer from outside of the box. This galvanised Guestling into action and just three minutes later they equalised, Dan Foster striking with his head from a Sam Clee cross. With fifteen minutes left, Herstmonceux won a corner after a period of sustained pressure. Dave Leonard took the kick and Sean Hardie back-heeled an audacious flick to score the winner. It could have been more, with Steve Green hitting a pile-driver which the Guestling goalkeeper magnificently turned onto the post.

A topsy-turvy match between Bexhill Rovers and Herstmonceux III saw Rovers clinch the trophy with a nail-biting 4-3 win. Sean Feeney opened the scoring for Herstmonceux from the penalty spot after fifteen minutes, with Tom Gurney equalising for Rovers before the break. Rovers then took control of the game in the second period increasing their lead to 3-1 through Tim Doe and Luke Alais. Herstmonceux then made a spirited comeback, a goal from Mike MacLean in the seventy-eighth minute reducing the arrears and an equaliser coming just four minutes later; Steve Thompson hitting the net after reacting first when the ball rebounded off the post. This then produced a frantic finale with chances at both ends. Disaster struck with just two minutes left on the clock when a Herstmonceux player put the ball in his own net after it had bobbled around in the area, giving Rovers the trophy.

Mike Pickard                      Phil Broom

                                                                                   Jamie Hollyoak

Kyle Funnell              Alex Humphrey

                                             Kyle Daines

Hollington United II sealed the Division One title in the last match of the season by defeating Mountfield United 3-2. With Ore Athletic waiting in the wings for any slip-ups, United did not fluff their lines, although there were a few close calls. United dominated the opening period of the match and found themselves 2-0 up after just ten minutes with strikes from John Steele and Mark Larkin, the latter’s twelfth of the season. Jonathon Novis then pulled a goal back for Mountfield, only to see the hosts grab a third by the break through Shane Ryan. The second half was a fairly even match up until Peter Matthews converted a penalty for Mountfield to bring them right back into the game. Hollington held on though, going one better than last year and lifting the title, to make it a double celebration in a week.

Wittersham ensured that there were no last day jitters, securing promotion on goal difference from Ninfield United by thumping St Helens 10-1. Liam Sayer incredibly hit six of Wittersham’s goals, making him the League’s top goalscorer for the season on thirty-five! Ben Ramsden, Alex Sarkies, Harry Hrehoran and Jonjo Andrews joined in the celebrations with goals of their own. The bruised and battered Saints only had a Martyn Ansell goal to show for their own exertions.

All eyes were on the score-line at Burwash as they needed to avoid a goal deficit of more than five goals to avoid last day relegation blues. This they managed, losing to visitors Eastbourne Athletic 2-0. It must have been squeaky bottom time though as they conceded after just two minutes through a James Hanoman goal, and must have wondered then what the afternoon held for them. However, a controlled defensive performance saw the second, and final goal, not hit the net until the sixty-fifth minute from Paul Cottrell, meaning that no more hiccoughs would have them retaining Division Four status for next season.