Banners to Town's rescue

HAILSHAM Town completed half the season's league fixtures with a 2-1 success at Redhill on Saturday. It was achieved with a brace of goals from Matt Smith and an inspired display by their stand-in keeper Graham Bannatyne. While the first half belonged to a vibrant Hailsham side the second period saw the home team up their game and they were unlucky to find keeper Bannatyne in such sparkling form.

The conditions couldn't have been more different than Tuesday night's encounter with Wealden the sun, blue sky, no wind and there were no penalties awarded for Hailsham to practise their skills acquired in the now infamous 28-penalty marathon!

Good performances also from Ross Southwood, Paul Richardson and scorer Matt Smith ensured Hailsham's first success for a month, but they still failed to put away easy openings.

Hailsham looked lively from the off, putting some effective passing movements together. They tested Hall in the Reds' goal and it fell to Mark French to dispossess the keeper on the edge of the area before crossing low only yards from the goal-line. Amazingly brother Scott completely missed the opportunity without a defender near him and the ball skiddied through for a throw-in.

Success eventually came in the 13th minute. Southwood, on a 40-yard solo run, was brought down from behind. The resultant free-kick from 30 yards by Smith was a beauty, entering the net high up in the top corner, giving Hall no chance.

Further inroads on the Redhill goal resulted in openings for Smith and Scott French lacking accuracy. Redhill's sorties lacked penetration, keeper Bannatyne dealing effectively and showing his vast experience in denying Sinclair and then smothering another attempt from Danny Stanton just prior to the break.

On the resumption sub Stuart Lewis surged down the right flank then unselfishly crossed to Scott French when his better option was to try a shot on goal. It was not French's day as another great opportunity escaped.

Redhill looked more committed and a fine drive from Nathan Hartigan was acrobatically pawed away for a corner by Hailsham's veteran keeper. On 57 minutes Hailsham doubled their lead against the run of play. Southwood was again the instigator with a run from midfield; he put Lewis free on the right and his low cross was met first time by Smith who sent the ball over Hall's head to register his second.

Redhill continued to dictate, peppering Bannatyne's goal at every opportunity. A double save from striker Stanton preceded another brave deflection from Sinclair's drive that flew for a corner after the winger was left unmarked in acres of space.

With only five minutes left, Redhill did reduce the arrears after a breakdown in communications between Bannatyne and Spencer allowed Sinclair to nip in and find an empty net.

Hailsham could still have increased their score near the end, both Scott French and sub Chris Widdop failing to beat Hall from open situations.

On Saturday it's Chichester away in the Senior Cup - in fact the only remaining competition they are still involved in.

HAILSHAM: Bannatyne, Knight, G. Spencer, M. Richardson (Widdop), Southwood, Stevens (Lewis), Smith, P. Richardson, S. French, M. French, Overton. MOM: Graham Bannatyne.