East Sussex League
Hastings F.A. Junior Cup Semi Final
Saturday 24th February 2024
Kick Off 13.30 On Time!
Bexhill Rovers 4 Hooe 1, attendance 26 (Abandoned Halftime, Waterlogged)
1’ 0-1
11’ 1-1
13’ 2-1
35’ 3-1
45’ 4-1
@ Bexhill Sixth Form College Playing Fields
Gunters Lane
Bexhill-on-Sea
TN39 4BY
No Admission or Programme.
This was the last of the East Sussex League grounds I hadn’t previously seen a game on and with nearby Westfield (Mid Sussex League Premier Division) kicking off half an hour later than here, also tweeting early on that their game had also passed a pitch inspection, this seemed the ideal time to make a trip down to the coast, for a cup match between two teams in Division 2 of the league, as 2nd hosted 3rd, as far as league positions go. According to the Met Office weather forecast, rain wasn’t due here until two o’clock, which would be another plus. However, once again, the forecast was completely wrong. It rained all the way from Gatwick down to Bexhill, but on arrival it was good to see nets and corner flags in place and both teams warming up. One of the goal mouths was being swept to clear a puddle, but it looked all good to go.
Hooe opened the scoring with only about 15 seconds on the clock, breaking down the right straight from the kick off, before pulling the ball back for a shot that was saved on the line by the ‘keeper, but followed in from close range. Bexhill levelled after eleven minutes, finishing a right wing cross with a half volley at the near post and were ahead two minutes later, when a free kick found the top corner from 20 yards. It was end to end stuff, with chances galore and with Bexhill getting the upper hand it was no surprise when they made it 3-1 after thirty five minutes, when a corner from the right saw a shot saved by the ‘keeper at the near post, but the rebound was smashed high into the roof of the net. Goal number four arrived in the dying seconds of the half, when a free kick from inside the centre circle was played into the box, but was only partially cleared and was finished with a shot hooked in overhead from six yards.
At halftime, both teams stayed on the pitch, but unfortunately, the Referee went back to the changing rooms. Whilst there, he was harassed (they’ll call it banter!) for almost the entirety by three or four players/officials of another team in this division (their tops had the club badge on) suggesting that the game should be abandoned and one of them continued to shout from the changing room door as the teams lined up to start the second half. We had ‘’it’s dangerous Ref”, “someone’s going to get hurt” and finally “they’ll sue you Ref”. I’m not saying this had any influence on the decision, or how clearly the shouts could be heard on the pitch, but at this point the Referee suddenly decided conditions were too bad to continue and immediately abandoned the game. The pitch was no worse than it had been at kick off. To be fair to the two teams actually involved in the match, there was no obvious suggestion from either that it should be called to a halt and full credit to Hooe for that, as they were the ones to really gain from this. It would certainly have taken a massive turnaround to see them pull back the three goal deficit in the second half and if there’s any justice, Bexhill will go on to win the tie when it’s rearranged.
Before I’d even left the car park the nets were coming down. I hadn’t even got out of Bexhill and the rain had stopped and the sky was brighter and the cloud was clearing. A few miles further west and there was blue sky and sunshine. It always seems to be the case when you leave an abandoned game!
