Lannon shows Villa what they missed as Billingshurst climb second

A Billy Lannon double helped Billingshurst to sink Montpelier Villa 3-1 and climb up to second in Division 2 - the highest they have ever been in their 116-year history.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Nov 2015, 09:00 BST

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DM15226648a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-164910008DM15226648a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-164910008
DM15226648a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-164910008

The striker, who the visitors had recently made an approach for, yet again put in an impressive display which had alerted Villa to his talents on his debut against them a few weeks ago.

The early stages of the game were fairly even as both sides probed for an opening, both sets of players slipping whilst trying to acclimatise to the conditions.

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Lannon opened the scoring on 26 minutes as he rose to head a Jordan Saunders corner past John Gregory in the Villa goal.

DM15226684a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. After scoring a goal. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-165005008DM15226684a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. After scoring a goal. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-165005008
DM15226684a.jpg Football: Billingshurst v Montpelier Villa. After scoring a goal. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-151114-165005008

The visitors equalised with a fine team goal nine minutes later as Michael Jarman exchanged passes and played in George Hatton, who finished with aplomb in the far corner.

Lannon almost fired Hurst back into the lead, spurning a good chance which was again made by Hawkes, while Nick Tilley forced a good block save from Gregory before half-time.

The rain continued after the break and Villa started the half the stronger side and forced a fine save from Tom Betts in the Hurst goal. He was then at full stretch to keep out Chris Grant’s effort, denied David MacNeil’s searing drive and then pushed a shot past the post.

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Hurst rang the changes to get a foothold in the game and with 75 minutes gone, Craig Grantham, who had had a quiet game, marked his return by lashing in an unstoppable shot home from 20 yards.

Lannon sealed the points on 88 minutes by getting on the end of a route-one move as the ball went from Betts’ hands to Grantham’s head, and Rob Desport crossed to Lannon to slide the ball home from close range.

Hurst manager Adie Konieczny said: “Having such a strong subs’ bench is giving us the opportunity to win games late on when teams are tiring. All three subs made a positive impact and gave us something extra, which enabled us to create the chances for our strikers to go on and win the game for us.”

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Related topics:Montpelier VillaBillingshurstDivision 2Hurst