Bri sees red

IT took a few choice words from manager Brian Dennis, plus an inspired second half display, before Hailsham were able to defeat a spirited Redhill team.

Due to illness, one of the assistant referees failed to arrive and the Sussex FA gave permission for Hailsham stalwart Mervyn Walker to run one of the lines at the Beaconsfield on Saturday.

On a pitch suffering from the effects of the weather, football was at a minimum during an abysmal opening period in which only the visitors seemed able to produce any thrust.

Only two fine saves by Graham Bannantyne denied Nathan Hartigan and Stephen Gillett from opening the Redhill account.

Then a deflected shot struck the Hailsham bar, but although the home side were shaken, they could not be stirred out of their bondage.

The nearest the Stringers came to scoring was when Matt Smith headed over following a Steve Galt corner, but it was the visitors who continued to dominate up to the interval. However, it was without reward.

Hailsham were a different team in the second half and played some purposeful football.

Following several strong attacks they took the lead in the 51st minute when Smith climbed to head in following another Galt corner.

They were now proving that possession is only part of the equation and it's goals which really count. It did again in the 57th minute.

Galt cleverly released Smith and the forward scored a superb goal over the keeper's head from 20 yards to give Hailsham an amazing 2-0 advantage.

A far cry from their first half inertia.

The Stringers were now in the ascendancy and as their confidence grew they produced some innovative and threatening attacks.

They went further ahead in the 66th minute.

Smith crossed and Scott French scored a good goal.

Possession football was now the order of the day and the visitors had to struggle hard to win the ball.

To their credit they did try valiantly to get some reward but the home defence, with Leon Legge making his debut and Martin Richardson outstanding, kept all their endeavours at bay.

In the 89th minute Hailsham put the final sheen on a remarkable recovery when Ross Southwood scored number four to send everyone home happy.

HAILSHAM: Bannatyne, Monk, Galt (Douglas), M. Richardson, Legge, Overton, Smith, P. Richardson, S. French, M. French, Southwood. MOM: Matt Smith.