dseagull

Hailsham Town FC U18 2 - Seaford Town U18 0 Another good win for the youngsters, and a good performance to boot. The opener came about 10 minutes in, George Marshall nodding home a near post cross, before Jamie Dickinson raced onto a through ball to add a second with a fine effort midway through the half. There could have been more - Dickinson and Onions unlucky, while Taylor had a shot well saved. After the break, Seaford came out of their shells a little, but their only genuine chance came 10 from time, a cracking shot which Olly Nicholls tipped onto the bar before gathering the rebound. Hailsham too could have added to the scoreline after the interval - Shearing had a shot well saved, Onions grazed the bar with a header and Betson saw a free kick brilliantly palmed around the post. Pleased with the result though and the performance, the boys did well - goes to show what good a bit of confidence does

Three of the wise monkeys at Redhill, Saturday. Alan, our programme editor, me, and my brother. Shame about the result really.

Hailsham Town FC U18 2 - Bexhill United U18 0 A win for the youth team! - incredibly, the first of the season, which lifts us to the dizzying heights of 5 points. Very nice day, and some good football played as well despite a bobbly Beaconsfield pitch. Target man Dominic Onions got the first - latching on to a pass some 50 yards from goal and taking it to the edge of the box, leaving a defender on the floor, and slotting home. The second came midway through the second half - prodded home from close range after a dangerous Taylor corner. Was nice to see the lads enjoying their football and playing with freedom, and a lot of the credit for that has to go to ex-Youth Team manager Joey Stevens, who stepped in today to cover the unavailable Paul Turner. Few stand out performances - the tall Onions, who was a real handful up front, his strike partner Jamie Dickinson, who never stops running, and George Marshall, a very tricky right sided midfielder. Keep hold of him, and I think we might have a genuine prospect. Seaford up next for the youngsters, home on Thursday night.

Redhill 3 - Hailsham Town 0 A disapointing performance against a very good team. Hailsham began brightly - Cooper shooting well over early on - before Redhill began to control the game, with a quick tempo and good movement. The hosts had one ruled out around 20 minutes in for a clear offside, before Hailsham's best chance fell to Tristan Jarvis, who had time to take a couple more touches rather than shooting over from distance. With around 10 minutes to go before the break, Redhill took the lead - Hailsham caught on the counter, with the ball worked into the box and Dawber beaten at his near post. 5 minutes later, the lead was doubled - another direct ball, and a cool finish. At 2-0 down at half time, Hailsham needed a quick start to the second half, but found the Redhill defence first to every ball. Barden saw yellow for a collison - it wasn't a foul, less still a booking - but as time ticked on, only the odd run from Cooper and O'Reilly caused problems. Energetic sub Lee Lock certainly improved Hailsham's tempo after coming on as part of a triple change early in the second half, but there was no coming back, and Redhill completed the win late on with a third, fired across the area and into the far corner after a quickly-moved counter attack.

Heh, how very Non League. Just been informed that our left back, Justin Leatham, won't be playing again this season. Apparently his missus doesn't want him training two nights a week and playing on Saturdays - He's going to turn out occasionally for Polegate Town in the East Sussex Premier (Level 11), but won't be playing County League football again. Thumb, The, Under

Eastbourne UA 2 - Hailsham 0 A scrappy derby in windswept conditions. United took the lead with the first chance of the game, Jules rising highest to head home a free kick, but Hailsham had plenty of first half possession and were perhaps unfortunate to go in behind at the break. After the interval, Hailsham again saw plenty of the ball, but lacked a cutting edge - Tristan Jarvis saw a well-taken goal ruled out for offside, before United killed the game off with a brilliantly taken, curling effort from the edge of the box that left Dawber with no chance. Cooper's run onto a superb crossfield ball ended with a deft chip that Maynard did well to hold above his head, and we had a possible penalty shout late on, but other than that, didn't really get the ball into the box enough to cause problems. I did, however, win a bottle of red on the raffle. That's someone's birthday present sorted then

Hailsham Town Reserves 2 - Eastbourne Town Reserves 0 A warm and sunny afternoon at The Beaconsfield saw the Stringers comfortable 2-0 winners in the Reserve Section Premier. Peter Cooper opened the scoring, hooking home from close range early on, and when Wayne Davey coolly slotted home a second before the break, Hailsham looked comfortable. There was controversy at both ends - both sides could have had penalties before Hailsham got one, only for Mark French to see his effort well saved. Hailsham had a third ruled out in the second half for a dubious offside call, but looked more than comfortable against the side second in the league.

Hailsham Town 4 - Lingfield 0 Reserve Section Premier A comfortable win for the Ressies against a Lingfield side who offered little. Nick Barden opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Lee Lock was clearly pushed, before turning in the second shortly before half time after a scramble from a corner. The visitors started brighter in the second half, but after a flowing move, sub Wayne Davey made it three with a fine finish. Davey turned provider in injury time - racing on to Cooper's flick to cross for Craig Norman to power a header past the 'keeper at the near post. Very pleased with that performance.

Yep. Not much character, I know, but for the price, it's pretty good. I won't be using it anyway. We decided against using the designated 'Away Officials' seats at Shoreham today to stand in the rain. There's no accounting for football fans!

Shoreham 0 - Hailsham Town 1 After a quick dash along the A27, we arrived at Shoreham to see a pleasingly strong teamsheet, with Cooper and Schaaf up front. It was Shoreham who came closest early on - a poor shot after a decent move - before Hailsham began to get a bit of a foothold in the game, and found the pace and close control of Tristan Jarvis a real menace to the Shoreham defence. Both sides had first half efforts cleared off the line, and Shoreham wasted an indirect free kick, somewhat dubiously awarded for a backpass. It was a day to forget for Shoreham's Dean Smith, who first took a ball in the face, and was then injured with a challenge just before the break which saw him carried off. Hailsham began the second half very brightly, creating a couple of early chances, including a superbly worked free kick - quickly taken by Barden, and volleyed just over by Ashley Jarvis, before Sam Schaaf scored what would prove the only goal of the game, a delicate chip over the 'keeper on an increasingly heavy pitch. The goal came minutes after Shoreham could have been down to ten men - a sliding, lunging challenge on Tristan Jarvis only deemed worthy of a booking. Shoreham threw caution to the wind, but found Jenner in inspired form in the Stringers goal. It could have been two - Schaaf getting the benefit of an offside call - but could only lift the ball onto the roof of the net. Jenner's heroics in the final moments kept the three points secure, and the journey back down the A27 was a very noisy one - great result, and a very determined, workmanlike performance to boot, capped with a fine goal.

Falmer Stadium - Terry Garroghan. Wonderful Although I think I have a piece of dust in my eye now... (If you know the whole saga, you'll know why).

If anything good can come of the sad demise of Chester, it is that messers Vaughan and Maison are no longer (currently) involved with football. I hope they aren't ever again. In better news; This week I got a very competitive quote for a 100 seater stand for Hailsham Town FC. When I say very competitive, it's still nearly 20k, but a lot better than other prices I'd noted. Currently planning fundraising campaigns - including letters to the '92', as well as the 12 SPL clubs, for Merchandise to auction off/offers of presason friendlies. If anyone wants to contribute, contact me - 'The RMWeb Stand' has a nice ring to it... Also; Week off work booked after Easter - I'll be spending it doing some painting at the ground, as well as digging out the footings for a new hardstanding path on two sides of the pitch. On the pitch, we go to Shoreham tomorrow - a ground I've not done before, which is always nice, and the Youth Team are at home on Sunday morning, so that'll be another game (taking me close to 50 for the season I would have thought)

I understand Mr Capello was at Craven Cottage. I understand Lord Bob had a stormer. Take him to the World Cup!

Guns N Roses - November Rain. Frankly, stunning.

Hailsham Town 0 - Arundel 2 Our winless run goes on, after a 2-0 defeat on a very foggy (standing at one corner, couldn't see the other goal for much of the second half, or the corner flag for the entire game) - and chilly - night. We began fairly brightly, Whiteman skewing an effort out for a throw after Barden's excellent free kick. Arundel took the lead with around 10 minutes of the first half remaining - Axell with a low, powerful effort which beat Jenner at the near post. The second half began better - only a whisker away from an equaliser through Leon Cumming when he just failed to connect with another Barden free kick. From then on - apart from a weak header straight into the arms of the 'keeper and a fine run and drive from Alexander which could only earn a corner - it was all Arundel, and things were wrapped up when Jenner's decent block fell kindly to an Arundel forward with 20 or so to play. Not a vintage performance, although to be fair we had a few - Ducille, Putland, Brockwell, Reeve and Leatham - out. Whatever the team though, we weren't good enough tonight. There's a goal up that end, somewhere...

Alan, our programme editor took it and emailed it over. He also managed to miss fellow regulars Percy, the two Johns, John's lad, Lee and Graham as well - The official gate was 63, but it's only the hardcore who stand down this end (there isn't a hardstanding path yet!)

Pulp - Disco 2000 Next; The Smiths - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

No Comment That's groundsman Joey on the left, who starred as Centre Forward for Ringmer when they became the first Village Club to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in 1970. And don't we know it

Hailsham Town 1 - Selsey 2 They came from way out west, and conquered. Whether they deserved to or not is a moot point. Hailsham began well, with Alexander's looping header hitting the post early on, before Selsey took the lead when a useful cross was fumbled into the path of the forward, who couldn't miss from 2 yards out. With half time looming though, after a decent spell of pressure, the Stringers regained the lead, when a marvellous solo run gave Ryan Alexander the goal his excellent performance deserved - he took it round three, then the 'keeper, before rolling it into the net - despite being stamped on early on, the offender getting away with a yellow. With things evenly poised at the break, the second half began quietly - a couple of half chances for both teams, as well as a ridiculous booking for Nick Barden, who incurred the wrath of today's card happy referee by taking a free kick too quickly - despite the wall being lined up, and everyone else in position. Selsey then regained the lead, the ball forced home from close range after a well worked move. After that? Putland flashed one wide, Hinshelwood hooked a goalbound effort off the line, and at the other end, Dean Stevens made a fine clearance with the ball goalbound. Neither side were at their best today, but I think we deserved at least a point.

Crowborough Athletic 3 - Hailsham Town 1 Well that was a dire day. Arrived 25 minutes late after getting lost (I've only lived round here for 25 years after all... ), and then delayed by, of all things, a wedding in Rotherfield which blocked the main road! - So no comment from me on the sending off which happened for a Crowborough player, as I didnt see it. What I did see of the first half was Crowborough putting together a few decent attacks - and missing a penalty (which looked nailed on from where we were standing). Second half though, began with a bang - Steve Hunt prodding home after some great work from Barden and Alexander to create a chance straight from the kickoff. Unfortunatley, we failed to build on it - and after we should have had a corner, Crowborough went straight up the other end and scored. A second followed within 5 minutes - again a missed decision partially to blame, as there was a definate handball in the Crowborough half before they won a free kick on half way, which was very well worked for the impressive Carrington to score his second. A lack of directness cost us today - when we did get high balls into the box, we looked dangerous, but too often, that didn't happen. Crowborough's third was an open goal from the edge of the box, after a surging solo run and an interesting decision by Jenner to race out of his box to stop it - again, well taken, but from my point of view, frustrating! Selsey next Saturday, at home. Could do with getting back to our winning ways.

Lost 3-1. Ended up with 8 men on the pitch. Full report tomorrow, I'm not in the mood.

Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart And toying with the idea of going to High Voltage in the summer... - Heaven & Hell, UFO, Foreigner, ZZ Top, Joe Bonnamassa, Marillion, The Answer, The Union, Gary Moore, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Asia...

We were off again this weekend - that's two postponements on the trot now. Poxy weather! Committee Meeting tomorrow, then Peacehaven at home on Tuesday night. Difficult, but as it's a midweek, Brocks should be available which will help our chances no end. Fortress Beaconsfield! We follow that by welcoming Wick (difficult) next Saturday - and then Selsey on the 14th. After that, it's a (daft!) run of 7 away games, including trips to the outposts of Pagham (nearer to Portsmouth than Brighton) and Redhill (which is in Surrey). We're also away both days of the Easter weekend - going to Arundel on the Saturday (The A27 on Easter Saturday, that'll be fun... ) and Eastbourne UA on Bank Holiday Monday. Would LOVE to do the double over them!

Morning - went for a nice meal last night with a lovely young lady. Went to Charlie Browns in Eastbourne (an American Diner-style resturant) - and then for a couple of drinks. Seemed to go well, would like to see her again. Fingers crossed!

Evening Thought I'd check in. So, what's been happening? - Hope all is well. For me; Football going OK - Hailsham have won 5 of the last 7, although Saturday's performance at Hassocks was disapointing. Work going well - went for a promotion, which I didn't get, but enjoying it anyway. Payday tomorrow - priorities are batteries for my DAB radio (In Car one which I use at work as well), a new wallet, and a pair of Top Gun Sunglasses, in the off-chance we do have a summer worthy of the name. Other than that? - spending my evening listening to music on Planet Rock and Youtube - and deciding what to wear for a date on Thursday night!