Herstmonceux Unlucky in Defeat

Herstmonceux went into the game having lost to seddlescombe the previous week but with players returning they turned around and got ready to go to battle with Hampden Park..

The game kicked off and both teams were pressing high in the first 5 mins but it soon settled down in what would be a long tension building half. Both teams had chances in the first 25 but neither team could not break the deadlock, but as Hampden Park were playing with the wind behind them they would turn it up a gear for the rest of the half having attack after attack. Ollie Brooks Lewis Harper, Tom Crouch and Ryan Arnott were staying strong, breaking down any attack and putting the ball out for a throw or a corner which the team defended brilliantly.

Herstmonceux found themselves going into the second half feeling strong but having to take Waylon Smith off the pitch with an injury, replacing him with Luke Russell. Tom Crouch moved into central defensive midfield and Luke Russell slotted in at right back.

Herstmonceux set the pace for the second half, having attack after attack. In the 60th min a lovely ball out wide saw Den Donegan beat the Park keeper to the ball with a lovely pass across goal which saw stillwell slot the ball home into an empty net for 1-0 against the title challengers. The home side worked their way back into the game and on the 73rd min found themselves a life line. Herstmonceux could not be broken down but Mark Stillwell received his second yellow and was given his marching orders. ‘ceux still stayed strong, not looking to be broken down, sitting deep and parking the bus, but it was the referee who would change how the game ended up by awarding Hampden Park a very soft penalty which their striker stepped up to slot the ball home for 1-1.

Although they were down to ten men the arrival of Toby Funnell for Den Donegon gave some breathing space for the visitors’ defence, and several times they found themselves on the counter. On one of these Curtis Eyres found himself with the ball in his own half and sent Funnell on his way. Toby took on his defender and was 1v1 with the goalkeeper who, fortunately for the home side, stayed big and got his foot to Funnels effort and kept it at 1-1. The tension built as Park threw everything they had but could not break the resilience or togetherness of the ‘ceux team who were fighting for there lives with there backs against the wall, Hampden Park were rushing, growing frustrated and it looked like ‘ceux were holding on to a point until there centre back who has never scored in a competitive game, stepped up from the edge of the box after a ‘ceux clearance and absolutely drilled it top right corner for a once in a lifetime goal. Herstmonceux were behind for the first time. The last change came with Tyler Greaves having to be replaced for Bobby King but despite herstmonceux’s best efforts with 10 men they could not find a way back into the game..

MOM- Ollie Brooks with his first game looked comfortable soaking everything up in the sweeper role dealing with the Hampden Park strikers everytime. Well done Ollie.

Despite the loss I feel this was a true show of what the team can do. We went there as underdogs and showed you can never write us off in what was one of our best performances of the season. Everyone should be proud of the effort, determination, skill and discipline they showed Manager Tutty today.

Now we look forward to Battle Baptists 3rds in another tough game at Claverham 4g on Saturday.