East Sussex League

Hastings F.A. Junior Cup Semi Final

Wednesday 11th April 2018

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.27

Northiam ‘75 3 Peche Hill Select 3 (8-7 pens),  attendance 28

3’ 0-1

14’ 0-2

28’ 1-2

65’ 2-2

79’ 2-3

85’ 3-3

@ Northiam Recreation Ground

Main Street

Northiam

TN31 6LP

No Admission or Programme.

With my first three choices of match tonight all falling to waterlogged pitches, I was relieved to be told there was no problem with the pitch here.

Northiam had won Division 1 of the East Sussex League at the weekend and will now be promoted into the Premier Division. Peche Hill are currently in sixth place in Division 2, so I wasn’t expecting such an even match, despite it being a semi-final.

Despite kicking off three minutes early, this was lost by halftime as three minutes stoppage time was played. A quick seven minute halftime got us back on track, although surely it would be pretty dark if the match went to penalties. A minute extra was played at the end of the second half, which meant a 20.08 finish.

It was hard to pick the players out near the end, but we were now on to penalties. Peche Hill went first, with both teams having their fourth kicks saved. At 7-7, the home keeper again made a save before Northiam converted their own kick to advance to the final. It was now 20.20 and probably the darkest finish I have ever had at a non floodlit match. 18.30 kick offs, with the possibility of penalties to follow, are too late so early in April, especially this far East.