Coming second ‘means a great deal’

Action from Hastings & Bexhill's victory over Old Gravesendians last weekend. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (fh15014e)

H&B booked a promotion decider away to Crawley after edging out Cranbrook on games won. The second placed teams from Kent One and Sussex One meet next Saturday (April 26). A lot of determination and some good fortune carried H&B in the fight towards going up.

“Getting to this point means a great deal to us after nine months of hard work,” said Smith. “We went all season without losing at home, but we have had a few bumps in the road, so we had to pull together and continue the unbeaten home streak to have a chance of promotion.”

Before that crucial play-off encounter, H&B visit Bognor in the semi-finals of the Sussex Shield tomorrow (Saturday).

“We have two very important fixtures coming up, but we have a fantastic set of players who I’m sure can rise to the occasion. We’re preparing for Hampshire One side Bognor this week.

“We enjoy playing in the Sussex Shield competition, and that’s what we are concentrating on at the moment. Right now, we need to get our head out of the clouds and plant our feet on the ground.”