12 | May | 2018 | Hopping across The Pond

East Sussex League

Premier Division

Saturday 12th May 2018

Kick Off 16.00 Actual 16.02

Hollington United 5 Sidley United 3, attendance 130

2’ 1-0

6’ 1-1

23’ 1-2

68’ 2-2

77’ 2-3 (pen)

83’ 3-3 (pen)

88’ 4-3

90’ 5-3

@ Gibbons Field

Wishing Tree Road

St. Leonards-on-Sea

TN38 9LA

No Admission or Programme.

This match was a 16.00 kick off due to the Reserves match kicking off at 13.30 (they needed a win to be promoted, but conceded an 88th minute goal to draw 3-3 and miss out).

Hollington knew nothing but a win would see them retain the East Sussex League Premier Division title. On Wednesday they drew 2-2 at home to Battle Baptist, which left Battle two points clear at the top of the league table, but having completed their fixtures, with Hollington left with this match to play. Sidley were third,(they needed to match the result of fourth placed Rye Town, who were away to bottom club Crowhurst, to finish in this position) although some way back, but they were the only team to beat Hollington on their own patch last season, so it certainly wouldn’t be easy.

When Hollington went ahead after just two minutes it looked like it might be a bit of a stroll, but Sidley levelled quickly, then went ahead with a free kick from 25 yards that went in off the underside of the bar. Hollington pulled it back to 2-2, but Sidley were back in front when they scored a penalty with thirteen minutes left. The hosts converted a penalty of their own with seven minutes left to make it 3-3. They still needed another goal though. Sidley had a man sent off after 87 minutes and within a minute the title was won, as Hollington went ahead with a volley into the top corner of the net from the edge of the 18 yard box, before rounding it off with a superb 25 yard chip as the ninety minutes were up.

So Hollington won the league by a point, remaining unbeaten for the season. Sidley finished third, despite their defeat, as Crowhurst beat fourth placed Rye Town 3-2.