Billingshurst bounce back with 4-0 win over Hurstpierpoint

A hat-trick from striker Craig Grantham capped off an impressive performance in Adie Konieczny’s first game in charge.

The away side got their noses in front early when Grantham pounced on a misplaced back pass and slotted home into an empty net for his first of the afternoon.

Despite that early set back, Hurst nearly equalised two minutes later with a long Jamie West free kick finding skipper Alex Miller unmarked, but the center back’s header whistled over the bar.

As the game went on, Billingshurst had the better of the chances as Grantham was supported by the pace and attacking runs of wingers Remi Thomas and Rob Desport.

That dominance paid off five minutes from half time. Some neat build up play led to a blocked shot by Freddie Bowles and the ball broke to Grantham who, controlling his finish well on the turn, made it 2-0.

The home side could have grabbed one back just before the break when John Brazil’s volley from a well worked free kick drifted just inches wide of the post, setting the tone for an end-to-end start to the second half. 50 minutes in, a Billingshurst corner was fizzed in low and ricocheted onto the post, but a Hurst long ball upfield then released the pace of Ojo Oluwatimileyin, only for the striker’s shot to be saved by Tom Betts. The home side then began to retain more possession but still lacked the quality in the final third to create convincing chances.

Point were throwing themselves forward, but Billingshurst were gifted two late goals to seal the victory. Thomas scored first on 86 minutes followed by Grantham two minutes later.

Speaking at the end of the game Konieczny said, ‘I thought it was a very good performance on a difficult pitch.

‘After conceding seven last week I was really pleased with the clean sheet, particularly as we had such an inexperienced back four out.’

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