Rot has to stop in a must win game
A must-win game faces Eastbourne Hockey Club this weekend as they play fellow strugglers Milton Keynes on the back of six straight defeats.
Eastbourne couldn’t capitalise on a much improved performance against Brighton and Hove Men’s firsts last Saturday and slipped to a disappointing 4-0 loss.
Boss David Adelston said, “It was frustrating because we played so well for so long.
“It was 0-0 at half time and we’d come back out playing really well. Their goal came from their first break away and our heads just fell after that.”
Eastbourne were without prolific scorer Alex Barnes, an absence that Adelston believes cost them in front of goal.
“I’ve no doubt that if Alex was playing it would’ve helped enormously but Brighton’s goalkeeper was on sparkling form.
“We’re playing better and better with every match but we need to score when we’re on top.”
Eastbourne have a crucial clash this weekend as Milton Keynes travel to the Saffrons sitting just four points above Eastbourne in the table. Eastbourne have conceded 32 goals in their last six encounters, something Adelston puts down to a lack of concentration.
“We need to concentrate for the full 70 minutes and not just 50. The team are young though and they’re still learning in this very hard league.”
Eastbourne will be boosted by the return of Alex Barnes this weekend but will be without Jeremy Sumner.
Elsewhere, Eastbourne Men’s seconds lost 2-1 to South Saxons Men’s firsts and face Lewes Men’s thirds on Saturday.
Eastbourne Ladies firsts suffered a defeat to Richmond Ladies firsts while Eastbourne Ladies seconds won 2-1 against Chichester Priory Park Ladies seconds. This weekend, Ladies firsts and Ladies seconds face Wanderers Ladies firsts and Worthing Ladies firsts respectively.
Eastbourne Under-18 boys play Bromley and Beckenham Under-18 boys at 1pm on Sunday at the Saffrons.
Hailsham Men’s 1st XI 6,
Crawley 2nd XI 2
After numerous short corners two well placed goals from Lee Humber and George Cyster gave Hailsham a 2-0 advantage going into half time.
Another perfect short corner routine was slipped to Rob Lee and his quality first touch took the ball round a stranded defender and the goalie to claim his third goal in three games.
Crawley came back and hit a goal back but Hailsham shrugged off the momentary lapse in concentration and with a solo effort from skipper Dan Ivemy he claimed his fourth goal in as many games to keep Hailsham’s motivation up.
Man of the match Tristan Pengilley swept up all loose balls making many crucial tackles. Hailsham were in control as Ivemy’s goal with two well worked team plays to give Sam Headey two easy goals.
With Hailsham skipper Ivemy getting sin binned in the last two minutes, Crawley gained a lease of life and scored from a penalty corner on the final whistle and finished the game 6-2.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
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