Bennett hits brace as Herstmonceux -23's win at Northiam

Herstmonceux started the season with a 3-2 victory at Northiam yesterday, in an entertaining match played under blistering weather conditions.

Jack Tutty, in his first match in charge, declared himself well pleased with a side that gave 100% effort from start to finish. The commitment shown was enough to ensure that the blues held on for a well-deserved 3 points.

The -23's kicked off at an earlier time of 2 pm, to allow for a second game to be played between the two clubs' first XI's, and it was the away team who took an early lead through 'master blaster' Ryan Bennett. Released by a precision pass from Connor Liron, he beat the defence, before coolly placing the ball in the bottom left hand corner. Northiam learnt nothing from this and continued to press, despite being beaten several times on the break, and it was no surprise when Bennett doubled the 'ceux advantage after another intelligent ball, this time from Mark Stillwell. Russ Blewitt dominated at the back, winning everything in the air and on the ground, and with Josh Funnell seeming to cover every blade of grass, the visitors were buzzing.

But, as is often the case, Herstmonceux lost concentration, and a speculative effort from Northiam caught the 'keeper off his line to reduce the arrears. At this point the game could have gone either way, but Bennett continued to torment on the left and with Fraser Lewis advancing more into the home team's half, the away team continued to look the stronger side. A foraging run and vicious shot from Mark Stillwell, coupled by another soon after, were both well saved by the Northiam 'keeper, to keep the score down to 2-1 at half time.

The second half started with Northiam beginning to press again, determined to level the scores, but when it came it was more like pantomime than football. Given 3 attempts to clear the ball, the back four could only parry it, block it and then give it straight back to a grateful Northiam striker whose effort went in off Lewis. 2-2.

Then it was a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man. Dan Russell, playing the first of his two games in the afternoon, was released by Connor 'the warrior' Liron. Despite desperate calls for offside, Russell strode majestically through the Northiam defence before slotting it past the advancing keeper. The bench went wild: 3-2, but with 30 minutes still to play.

Tired legs now began to show, under what were difficult conditions for football, and Ryan Bennett was replaced by Seb Olivier, to enable him to rest before the second match, and he immediately made an impact in the middle of the field. Leaving a trail of players in his wake, he twice found himself in a good position to score only to see both efforts go wide of the post. With Frank Davis coming into the middle of the centre, and Tom Wickens coming on at left back, the concern was would the changes in formation allow Northiam to find gaps in the back four. But Josh Funnell continue to win tackles and shield the ball with experience that belied his 18 years, and with Lewis and Liron battling for every ball, precious minutes were eaten up. Special mention also goes to Mark Stillwell who was poleaxed by a shocking tackle which earned the Northiam player a yellow card. After extensive treatment he played out the remainder of the game and epitomised the battling spirit of the whole team.

Hot shot Bennett before his 2 goals

Josh Funnell was in fine form

Northiam pushed hard for an elusive equaliser that just would not come. The back four held firmly, even if it was a little ragged at times, and with Frank Davis not afraid to 'give it some leather' when the need arose, we held on for a deserved victory, as we continued to frustrate the home side's efforts. Packing the midfield and leaving just one man up front, was instrumental in seeing 'ceux over the line, and in the end it seemed quite comfortable.

The -23's now have a week's break where Manager Tutty can look at the new players that we have signed. Certainly it would seem that competition for places will be high, as everyone wants to play for a winning side.