Match Reports

Rich City League Division Three

Saturday 13^th April 2002

Hurstpierpoint 4 TSC 1

Hurst comfortably ran out winners in an entertaining game at the rec. The home side blew the visitors away with a whirlwind start, scoring 3 in the opening 15 minutes. With just 4 minutes gone Hoadey released Biggs who took his time before slotting in to the far corner. A terrific move minutes later saw Hurst go 2 up. Pitt played the ball up to Barber, he neatly laid the ball off first time to Mansell who outpaced the visiting defence before squaring to Biggs who tapped home with his right from 5 yards.

After last week’s victory and the early goals, Hurst played with confidence and scored again when a back pass left the injured keeper stranded and Barber slotted home. The visitors changed their keeper soon after to try and stop further goals being conceded. Hurst dominated all areas of the pitch, with Ant Pitt producing a stirling effort down the right hand side of midfield. Burrows released Mansell, only for his effort to be given offside, then again Mansell was harshly adjudged offside when put through by Barber. With Hurst’s regular keeper Mansell injured and looking on as he was replaced by Ground, on the morning of the match, the home side thought they had scored the fourth, only for the stand in keeper to produce a brilliant one handed save to deny Burrows. The home side felt the ball had crossed the line but the linesman did not think the same. The visitors battled and to their credit continued to try and pass their way back into the game, but it wasn’t until the 40^th minute when they had their first serious effort on goal. A neat interchange of passing saw Neathey released into the box but his cross shot just flashed past the far post.

Hurst’s three goal cushion remained in tact and there should have been additions to the score sheet but they could not quite finish off the good build up play. As the half wore on the visitors came more and more into the match, as the home side sat back on their lead. It was no surprise when Neathey fired in to the top corner. This heralded TSC’s best spell of the match, and Ground produced 2 superb saves to deny TSC a second. At the other end Hurst were still creating chances and they finally got their reward late on when Mansell was again released, this time he evaded the offside trap, and as he had done many times before in the half, unselfishly squared the ball to Barber who slotted into an empty net for his second.

Manager Lee Saunders said, "The players worked their socks off, none more than Barber, and thoroughly deserved the win. It was sweet revenge for the 10-1 defeat earlier this season, which was the lowest point of my football career. After a roll and cut the pitch allowed both teams the chance to play football and to their credit both tried and succeeded. When you have players with the quality of Mansell, Burrows, Hoadey, Pitt we should be a match for any team in this league and once again we have shown what we can produce, its just a shame we can’t get a consistent team out, who knows where we could have finished the season? Colin was a rock at the back, along with Ad and Tim; the midfield functioned as a unit with Ant, particularly in the opening period, a real threat. Every player deserves credit for the last 180 minutes of football, if we can get all the players fit this club has a hell of a lot of potential, considering we were without Stafford, Kentsley, Kempton, Tandy, Ground, Davy Mansell and Harltess"

Team: Ground, Gardiner, T Stevens (Millin 80 mins), Pitt, Hoadey, Burrows, Fogden (Upcott 65mins, Cusack 79mins) Rowe, L Mansell, Barber, Biggs

Man of the Match: Colin Gardiner

Dick of the Day: Dave Biggs

Rich City Division 3

Saturday 6^th April 2002

Hurstpierpoint 5 St.Francis 2

Hurst won their first match in a month to defeat their local rivals at the rec.  The strong wind made life difficult for both teams but Hurst took full advantage of having the wind at their backs by taking a four-goal lead in to the half time break.

Considering this was a derby match the atmosphere was very subdued, maybe after last weeks highly charged match this was always going to be a more stable affair.  Neither side looked confident in the opening 20 minutes as both sides felt their way in to the game, understandable given both teams league positions. The ball pinged around in the strong wind as players found it hard to exert control.

After the initial sparing St.Francis never threatened the goal as Hurst dominated first half proceedings.   Mansell did not have a save to make and the only time the visitors came close to their opponents goal was a terrific run by Beveridge who ghosted past 4 players before Kempton put in a timely challenge.  At the other end Hurst hit the bar after a terrific turn and strike by Barber, then Biggs headed over after a great run and cross by Burrows.  As the half went on Burrows started to exert his influence and Hurst took the game by the scruff of the neck. Burrows won a tackle on the half way line and a through ball released Biggs who coolly slotted the ball past the keeper. Minutes later Hurst extended their lead when pressure won Hurst possession on the half way line; Stafford picked up the ball and used the wind to smash the ball home from 25 yards. Hurst now had their tails up and were playing with more confidence.  After a long throw Gardiner again won possession on the edge of the visitors box carried the ball forward and drilled home number 3 to the delight of the home crowd.  Stafford then scored direct from a corner to make it 4 as the pressure told.  Burrows then released Mansell and as he accelerated on the pass he toe poked the ball past the keeper who instinctively stuck out his arm to stop the ball 12 yards outside the box.  The home side screamed for a free kick but to the relief of the visitors and especially the keeper who would have been sent off if he had awarded a kick, the referee missed the incident and awarded a goal kick.

St.Francis had use of the wind in the second half and put the home side under a lot of pressure in the opening 20minutes for the second period, but the Hurst back line stood strong.  The majority of play was conducted in the Hurst half but St.Francis never really threatened the home goal until they were awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the box, which Higham curled under the wall and in to them idle of the goal, which Mansell would have been disappointed to have let in.  The goal lifted the Saints and they scored again when Mansell spilt a left wing corner and Beveridge scored from 2 yards out. Mansell made amends for his mistake with a superb save to deny cook.

Hurst should have scored further goals in the second half, they got in to some great positions as St.Francis pushed forward, and on several occasions outnumbered their hosts but due to poor final passes and finishing it wasn’t until the Saints defence opened up to allow Biggs a free run from the half way line and he finished the match in style.

Manager Saunders was happy for once, “It was bliss to have a decent referee this week! We worked our socks off, pressed them hard especially in the final 25 minutes of each half, played the conditions perfectly and thoroughly deserved the win.  Our passing and movement off the ball was not brilliant but the players deserve credit for the way they took the game by the scruff of the neck.  The pleasing thing from a personal point of view was that I actually had a squad to pick from, rather than the previous 30 games this season where I have just had to pick the 11 fit players available.  I think I got the balance right; it is harsh on some players who have been the backbone of the team this season like Ad Rowe. There will be players who are unavailable for the remaining 2 games but it now down to them to take their chance and prove to me that they should be first choice. I still think we need one more win this season to ensure safety and we really want to stay out of the bottom 4 so we avoid any possible threat of demotion due to league restructuring, which is still a distinct possibility.”

Team: Mansell, Kempton, T Stevens, Kentsley, Gardiner, Burrows, Stafford (Rowe 80 mins), Pitt, Stafford, Pitt, Barber (Grimsley 65 mins), Mansell, Biggs (Cusack 87mins)

Man of the match:  Colin Gardiner, a close call with all players deserving credit

Dick of the Day:  Ad Rowe

Rich City Division 3

Saturday 1^st April 2002

Hurstpierpoint 2 Ansty 3

Hurst were struck by a late sucker punch allowing Ansty to go above them in the table. Both sides fought a monumental battle to avoid relegation but it was Ansty who now seem to have secured their safety, whilst Hurst must in 2 of their remaining 3 games.

Ansty set about ruffing up the hosts right from the off. In the first minute Mortimer made a late and high tackle on Hurst’s keeper who needed lengthy treatment before he could carry on, although his movements were restricted for the remainder of the game. The tackle went unpunished, which unfortunately set the tone for the remaining 89 minutes in which the referee and his assistants totally lost control, making numerous strange decisions, the majority seemed to go against the hosts. The first horrendous decision was made in the 10 minute a long pass released Horscroft who outpaced Kentsley but the defender came back with an excellent tackle that toe poked the ball away. The referee from 45 yards away deemed the tackle a foul, and although the tackle was made 5 yards outside the box the referee ignored his assistant and awarded a penalty that Newton calmly converted. The decision stunned Hurst and it put hem off their stride. Things got worse for the home side on the half hour when Mansell bent down to pick up a weak 25 yard effort only for the ball to take a horrendous bobble, hit the keeper on the head and ended up in the net. Both sides lost influential players in the first 45 minutes through injury, for Ansty they lost Richardson and Chamberlin and for Hurst Fodgen.

Hurst rallied and Kentsley should have done better when unmarked at the far post but he put his header wide. Stafford saw a goal bound effort cleared of the line, then Mansell and Barber both went close in goal mouth scrambles. Hurst got a life line when a weak first time shot by Kempton was only parried by keeper Lomas into the Ansty net.

The second half saw Hurst dominate possession, with Ansty hardly ever getting in to the Hurst half let along the home sides box. A great run by Mansell saw the ball evade Kentsley by inches as the open goal beckoned, then further efforts from all Hurst’s front line players were blocked or saved. Hurst drew level in controversial circumstances on 70 minutes. Hurst were in possession on the edge of the Ansty box from a free kick, when the referee blew his whistle to allow an injured Ansty player treatment. Once play resumed the referee ordered the home side to return the ball to Ansty, which quite rightly Hurst were not happy about. As the referee dropped the ball Mansell swung his foot uncontested at the ball and it looped in to the Ansty net. He did not mean the goal and Hurst should have allowed Ansty to score straight away to even matters up but they didn’t and this did not help the volatile status of the match.

Hurst continued to have the lions share of possession but could not quite break down a resolute Ansty defence, marshalled superbly by the impressive Roy Agyei. In the final few minutes Hurst looked for the vital winner, but first Mansell missed a good opportunity, then Stevens, who had been pushed into midfield after an injury to Stafford, went through and only had to square the ball to Mansell unmarked on the 6 yard box but he chose to shoot with his right instead sending the ball past the near post. Mansell was sent clean through only for the referee to award a foul against the striker, it appeared if there was a foul it should have been the other way round. Biggs then has a glorious chance to get that vital goal but Lomas produced a brilliant point blank save. As the 57th minute of the second half ticked past, Ansty were awarded a controversial free kick and for the first time in the second half they managed to get the ball in to the Hurst box. Although Mansell managed to catch the ball, it was dislodged as he hit the hard ground, and the ball ran straight to an Ansty player who squeezed it home to send the visiting supporters into ecstasy.

Manager Saunders said,” I can’t believe we lost this match, they had 2 shots but somehow scored 3! I would never blame officials as an excuse for a poor performance but the referee and his assistants totally ruined the game, with ridiculous decision after decision, all of which seemed to go against us. The referee at one stage couldn’t even remember which way the teams were shooting, and although it is harsh to say I don’t feel he should be officiating at this or any other level. One of the assistants wanted to be involved in the game every time he had a chance, but when he did keep his flag down the referee decided to overrule him twice from 45 yards away when the assistant was much closer and never awarded either decision., first when they were awarded a free kick which he made in to a penalty then secondly when Mansell was clean through and ha gave a foul against Lee. To be fair to Ansty we should not have allowed our second goal to stand, Lee did not mean to score, but because of all the decisions the ref had made it felt like justice at the time. In hindsight we should have wiped that one off. We must win 2 of our 3 remaining games, which we are more than capable of doing but we have to play a lot better than we did today to achieve that. The scenes after the game were nothing to be proud of and we will be reporting their full back for constant threatening behaviour during the game and also for physically attacking Steve Fogden after the match as the players made their way to the changing rooms.”

Team: Mansell.D, Rowe, Stevens, Kentsley, Kempton, Stafford (70mins Millin), Pitt, Fogden (45 mins Biggs), Mansell.L, Barber, Cusack (Grimsley 60mins)

Man of the match: Lee Mansell

Dick of the Day: Davy Mansell

NOBR

Rich City Division 3

Saturday 30^th March 2002

Newhaven 5 Hurstpierpoint 2

Hurst gifted the home side victory courtesy of 4 individual mistakes.  They found themselves 3 down at the break, and all three goals could have been avoided.  On a nasty pitch neither side could get the ball down to play and it meant the ball being in the air a lot of the time.  Newhaven’s side contained a lot of young players and Hurst experiences wavered as the home side played the conditions better on the day by getting the ball up front early and wide to their attacking talent.

Hurst started the brighter and could have taken the lead but Mansell, Biggs and Barber were all denied in the opening 12 minutes by the keeper or the pitch! Kempton laid a simple back pass to Mansell but as he attempted to clear the ball took a bobble and his effort sliced 10 yards straight to the Newhaven forward, who shot first time but Mansell made amends with a fantastic save, unfortunately the ball rolled in front of an empty net and Newhaven took the lead.  The game was not a pretty affair and Hurst then made another blunder that gifted Newhaven their second, Newhaven’s alert striker caught Stevens in possession and calmly slipped the ball past Mansell.  Finally Newhaven put a move together and they got in behind Hurst’s defence, the ball was squared and Mahoney hit the ball on the run, Mansell made a reaction save but the ball cannoned off Pitt for on og on his return to the side. Hurst had not created any opportunities outside those first 15 minutes and the game looked dead at 3-0 down at the break.

Hurst made a couple of changes at the break and came out firing in the second half as the home side took their foot off the gas.  Mansell was looking dangerous and it was no surprise when he was clumsily upended as he toe poked the ball past the home centre half.  Bigsy stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.  The goal lifted Hurst and they put the home side under a bit of pressure and were scored a second penalty minutes later when again Mansell was clipped in the box and Biggs put the ball to the other side this time.  2 penalties in 10 minutes, the first Hurst have had all season!  A neat move then saw Barber release Pitt in to the box but his shot was well saved by the keeper, a turning point in the game.  Newhaven sent another long ball in to Hurst’s half and a sliced clearance by Kempton allowed the no.10 to cleverly back heel the ball in to the path of the alert striking partner and he hit the ball first time across the face of Mansell and into the far corner.  As the final whistle approached Mansell stupidly kicked out gifting the home side their own penalty, and although he saved the initial effort the rebound was put home to give Newhaven their fifth of the afternoon.

Manager Saunders felt his side had thrown away a draw, “On a pitch that made any attempt to play football impossible we shot ourselves in the foot.  If was extremely hard for either side to make any real clear cut chances on a horrendously bobbly surface, but we gifted Newhaven 4 goals without them having to work for them.  All credit we battled back in the second half and we could have earnt a point when their keeper made a fantastic save from Pitty.  But then we went to sleep again and conceded another sloppy goal with a moment of stupidity by Davy, where he was extremely lucky not to be sent off.  Tennant, Pitt and Millin did extremely well on their returns, especially Millin on his debut. Monday is a massive game for the club and I just hope the players put the club first when they decide what they do on Sunday.  The club has stood by a few players this season, unfortunately I have my doubts about a few and what they feel is right to do before a match of this importance.  Just hope they prove me wrong, but if they do let their team mates down they won’t be playing for me again.”

Team: Mansell, Kempton, T Stevens, Tennant (Millin 45mins), Grimsley (Cusack 45mins), Stafford, Fogden, Pitt, Barber, Mansell, Biggs (Upcott 70mins)

Man of the match:  Lee Mansell, won the first two penalties of the season!

Dick of the Day:  Davy Mansell

Rich City Division 3

Saturday 23^rd March 2002

Bexhill 1 Hurstpierpoint 0

Hurst left the seaside resort pointless, but had enough chances to have won 2 games let alone one!  In a one sided first half Hurst should have been 4 or 5 clear at the break.  Both sides struggled on an extremely bobbly pitch. The home side were happy to knock long first time balls whilst the visitors did at least try and get the ball down and play.  Hurst played the whole game without a recognised goalkeeper, with outfield player Stuart Kempton having to don the gloves after first team keeper Mansell pulled out with a badly sprained ankle (courtesy of one too may late night beverages!) in the morning, and Hursts 2 other keepers were also crocked.  Hurst did not need a keeper as Kempton had nothing to do apart from pick the ball out of the net with the home sides only real worthwhile effort on goal.

Hurst created 6 good goal scoring opportunities but spurned them all, through a mixture of the post, bar, good goalkeeping, weak finishing and some unkind bobbles and lack of the ball rolling kindly.  The visitors limited the home side to long range efforts none of which were on target, but they did hit the cross bar direct from a right wing free kick, dubiously awarded for a fee kick against Dave Biggs.  Bexhill finally put the home side under some pressure in the final 10 minutes but the Hurst back line stood firm. Some how the scoreline was scoreless at the break.

The second half continued in the same manner with Hurst pressurising the home defence and again went close on several occasions.  Once again Mansell hit the bar, the keeper produced two outstanding saves and all the forwards missed simple chances. As the half wore on Hurst tried to do too much with the ball rather than put efforts on goal.  On the hour the home side had the left-winger sent off for brutally kicking out at Tostevine, a key moment in the match.  The sending off seemed to work against Hurst as they took their foot off the gas, stopped working and started to play long balls straight to the heart of the home defence.  They did get the ball into the box on numerous occasions but never looked like adding the finishing touch.  As the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw Kentsley was turned on the half way line and as the Hurst players trotted back they found themselves outnumbered at the back, the right winger played a clever chip to the far post and the unmarked forward squeezed the ball home between the post and Kempton’s legs.  Hurst were stunned and could have gone 2 down in seconds from the restart but luckily for the visitors the long-range effort cannoned off Kempton’s legs.

The home sides defence stood firm in the final 10 minutes as Hurst through the ball in to the Bexhill box, in the end the determination of Bexhill kept the ball out of the home teams box and Hurst left empty handed.

Manager Saunders felt his side deserved a win, “I can’t believe we left without 3 points, we created so many chances yet the ball seemed destined not to go in the net.  All credit to Bexhill, their desire and commitment was there and in the end that was the difference.  The turning point was the sending off, it happens time and time again in football, losing a player inspires the 10 men and the other team thinks they have already won the match and let up on the work rate, leaving it to other players to do. The result could prove crucial to both sides in the bid to survive relegation; we must win 3 of our remaining 5 matches to stand a chance.  I have said it before, the players have got us into this situation so it is now down to us to get us out of it.”

Team: Kempton, Tostevine, T Stevens, Gardiner, Kentsley, Grimsley, Hartless (Rowe 77mins), Stafford Barber (Swain 73 mins), Mansell, Biggs

Man of the match:  Mark Stafford, tireless performance

Dick of the Day:  Stu Kempton

Rich City Division 3

Ansty rangers 2 Hurstpierpoint 6

Hurst scored six times in a match for the first time under the managership of Lee Saunders to send him off for further surgery on his knee a happy 'bunny'.

The pitch was already heavy from rain during the week and then rain started about 15 minutes before kick off to make the ground worse to play a short passing game on and although Hurst started brightly and took the lead following good work down the left wing by Lee Mansell, whose cross found Mark Stafford who diverted the ball for a goal off his back, they then tried to play the ball short too much and got penned back on the defensive for much of the rest of the half. Ansty equalised during this period from a pass over the top that beat the defence  and the Ansty forward placed his shot neatly past the onrushing Dave Mansell. There were a few more scares for Hurst but Mansell saved smartly a couple of times and Hurst did create two clear chances in breakaways that required smart defending.

Manager Saunders half time rollocking of his defence for not playing to plan and bringing on the two substitutes early in the second half really worked the miracle. After a poor start by both teams, Saunders made a tactical switch when Ian Barber replaced Jay tostevine. With almost his first movement, Barber was sent chasing a long through ball  and when the goalkeeper and defender made a mess of the clearance he was left with an open goal. Ian did his best to avoid scoring but the ball hit the post and went in to put Hurst 2-1 in front. the next change from Saunders again seemed to work almost immediately Chris Stevens came on in place of the tiring Stafford, and his high cross from the left sailed over the keeper and nestled in the far corner to give Hurst a 2 goal cushion at 3-1. However, Ansty were not yet completely undone and from the kick off Pendry was given too much room to surge down the centre before he was fouled just outside the penalty area. Dave Mansell seemed to have the free kick covered but the ball shot past him and rebounded off the post for an Ansty forward to poke into the net to bring them back to 3-2. It was then Hurst's turn as straight from kick off the ball was worked out to Dave Biggs on the left, who then waltzed past a defender and tucked a neat shot into the Ansty net to put hurst 4-2 in front.

The game then settled down for a while but Hurst continued to look much the more threatening as their forwards had too much pace for the tiring Ansty Defence. Two more goals arrived first from Andy Hartless, with probably the best move of the match he produced a top quality strike over the head of the hapless keeper. finally, Lee Mansell  whose tireless running had created problems for Ansty throughout got his just reward with an easy header from a left wing cross to complete the scoring at 6-2 to Hurst and send Manager Saunders off to his operation in a good mood as Hurst moved 3 places up the table past Bexhill, Lingfield and old rivals St. Francis.

Team D. Mansell, Tostevine, T, Stevens, Gardiner, Kempton, Rowe, Hartless, Fogden, Stafford, L. Mansell, Biggs.  Substitutes Barber, C. Stevens

Man of Match Tim Stevens    Dick of Day Lee Mansell

Saturday 9th March 2002

Hurstpierpoint 2 Pease Pottage 2

Points were shared at the rec in a match that the home side should have won but in the end had to battle hard to earn a point.

Hurst used the windy conditions to their advantage in the opening period and could have been 3 or 4 up at the break, creating several good goal-scoring chances. Bigsy got the home side off to a flyer, opening the scoring on 5 minutes when a clever diagonal pass saw sent him clean through and he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. Mansell then doubled the lead with a goal of the season contender on 15 minutes. He fought hard to win back possession on the half way line, spotted the keeper off his line and cleverly used the wind to magnificently smash the ball home from 40 yards. Pottage were under constant pressure form the Hurst frontline, with Biggs, Stafford and Mansell all going close to increasing the lead. Fogden and Grimsley were superb in winning the midfield battle. As half time approached Mansell created himself some space inside the penalty area but he fired his shot straight at the keeper. Stafford then released Biggs down the left and he beat the full back, squared the pass across the front of the goal but no one could quite get on the end of it as Lane calmly cleared the ball down the line to safety. Hurst went to sleep and the ball found its way to Hill who managed to round Mansell and slot the ball into an empty net to give the visitors hope a the break.

Hurst were now defending against a strong wind but started the second half brightly. A superb pass from Mansell released Biggs who fired a great shot on goal only to see the keeper produce a magnificent save. The visitors grew stronger as the half went on and Hurst were on the back foot more and more as they struggled to get against the strong wind. Mansell produced a sensational one handed save to deny Mills his second, and Hurst clung on to their lead as Pottage saw several half chances cleared by some great last-ditch tackles. Rowe, Kentsley and Stevens were superb at the back as the ball was now coming back regularly. On the hour Pottage levelled when Lane drilled a corner straight in to the net. Hurst rallied and Stafford sent in a superb cross, which Mansell volleyed just over the bar. Mansell, who looked lively all afternoon, chased several lost causes and won possession, giving Hurst a breather at the back. Hurst had the luxury of using 3 substitutes in the last 25 minutes, which helped them get second wind. The last 15 minutes saw Hurst hang on to a point, as the clock struck 5.05 Kemsley saw his shot from 10 yards go straight at a relieved Mansell.

Manager Saunders felt his side deserved their point, “If we could have kept the 2 goal advantage at the break I think we would have gone on to win the game. We had a great chance to go 3 up after great work by Bigsy, who was superb all afternoon, but the defender did well and then they went straight up the other end and scored. I thought we played extremely well today but am a bit disappointed with both their goals; a lack of concentration cost us on both occasions. Yet again we have matched a top of the table team, which we have done all season, it’s the games against the lower teams where we struggle. We have a massive match at Ansty next week and I just hope the players take the same attitude and level of performance into that one. Everyone played well today but Lee Mansell was superb and today showed why he was a county one player”

Team: Mansell, Kempton, Tostevine, T Stevens, Rowe, Kentsley, Grimsley (Hartless 65mins), Stafford (Barber 70 mins), Fogden, Mansell, Biggs (C Stevens 75 mins)

Man of the match: Lee Mansell, back to his best

Dick of the Day: Davy Mansell

Rich City League Division Three

Saturday 2^nd March 2002

Forest 3 Hurstpierpoint 0

In an entertaining game Hurst lost their first game in 3 to a scoreline that slightly flattered the hosts. Hurst were 1-0 down at halftime but it could and should have been 3-3 at the break.

Both sides created several opportunities on a pitch that made flowing football hard to play, but Hurst were wasteful in front of goal and Mansell kept the home side out until the last kick of the first half. Forest had the best of the opening 15 minutes and twice Mansell had to be alert to save bravely at the forward’s feet. Hurst got back into the game as the first half progressed, first Barber missed a simple header 5 yards out, failing completely to make contact with the ball after a great right wing cross, then Ad Rowe somehow missed a volley from just 2 yards. Forest then hit the bar from a 25-yard effort after another defensive lapse, which Hurst suffered too many of in the first period and only some last ditch tackling and blocking kept the game goalless. Lee Mansell then sent a neat through ball through to Swain who only had the keeper to beat but saw his shot slide past the post. Both sides got into good positions but the final ball was lacking. Just as the half time break beckoned Forest took the lead when Grainger turned Rowe on the edge of the box before unleashing a low drive that Mansell could only parry into the path of the unmarked forward.

Hurst started the second half-brightly and a superb cross from Mansell found Biggs unmarked 8 yards out but his header lacked any pace or direction. The game dropped off a bit until Forest extended their lead with a neat move finished by the ever alert forward. The home side could have extended their lead further, as all the Hurst players stopped with the linesman’s flag going up only for the referee to wave play on from 30 yards away. The ball was squared in the box and twice Kempton cleared the ball off the line. The introduction of Tostevine and Stafford for the tiring Grimsley and Swain injected new hope for the visitors and they had a blatant penalty turned down when Stafford was up ended in the box. As Hurst went searching for a goal Forest wrapped things up with a third after great work down the right, the full back beat 4 players to square the ball for the unmarked forward to hammer his second of the game.

Team: Mansell, Kempton, Tim Stevens, Colin Gardiner, Chris Stevens, Ad Rowe, Lee Mansell, Dave Biggs, Sam Swain (67mins Tostevine), Richard Grimsley (76 mins Mark Stafford), Ian Barber

Rich City League Division Three

23rd February 2002

Hurst fight back

Hurstpierpoint 1 Ifield 1

Hurst fought back from a goal down to sneak an undeserved point. The home side started the game on fire and had a goal disallowed after just 8 seconds of the match. Saw Swain stormed through the visiting defence, saw his shot saved, Barber went to put the rebound in and as the ball looped off a defender Swain headed the ball home, only to be given offside. The bright start soon evaporated as Ifield took full control and it was only a series of saves by the returning Mansell that kept the score line level. 3 times Mansell saved at the feet of onrushing forwards, each time he was more than up to the task.

The home team just looked all at sea, with only the experienced players showing any sign of real fight in their first half performance. Having a strong wind behind them did not seem to help matters as neither side really put any decent flowing football together.

Ifield finally broke the deadlock 15 minutes into the second half. After a succession of corners that could not get past the near post, Collins finally got one in to the air, and the wind played havoc with the flight of the ball and it sailed straight over Mansell and it to the net. Ifield used the wind to their advantage but it was strangling the skill out of the game. Mansell then made another good save, before being substituted early in order for him to catch a flight from Gatwick. Kempton took over in goal and looked secure in the role, although he did not have a save to make!

The home side grew in strength in the final 20 minutes and they got an equalizer when Barber sent over a left wing cross that was flicked on by Swain and the ball, aided by a slight deflection, looped in to the far corner. Lee Mansell was then put clean through and with Swain unmarked at the far post he got caught in two minds and dragged the ball wide of the far post.

Manager Saunders said, “We did not play at all well but for a change we got a result. We have played much better than that and in some games have deserved a lot more than we have got, so it’s the first real bit of luck we have had this year. The older players showed the younger lads up a bit today, and it was really down to their determination that we got a result. The players we have here at the club are much better than that, lets hope its just a one off. It’s a blow to lose james burrows, yet again our injury jinks seems to have struck”

Team: Mansell (65 mins Cusack), Kempton, Rowe, T Stevens, C Stevens, Fogden, Biggs (55mins Grimsley), Swain, Mansell, Barber, Stafford

Man of the Match: Rowe, a rock

Dick of the Day: Davy Mansell

Rich City Division 3

Saturday 16th February 2002

Hurstpierpoint 4 Lingfield 1

Hurst finally broke their 2002 duck to claim a deserved 3 points at the rec. For once Hurst fielded a very similar team to that of the week before, and this was vital in such an important match.

The opening quarter saw 3 goals scored, as both teams were very open. A neat move on 7 minutes saw Barber lay off a burrows chip into the path of Swain who neatly slotted the ball home. The visitors hit straight back as Kempson dropped a straight forward catch, the ball bobbled out to Gaultiere who hammered it back into the to corner. Hurst rallied and within minutes had restored their lead when Burrows cross-found Swain totally unmarked at the far post and he had the simplest task of tapping the ball home. Hurst played some flowing football and looked dangerous every time the ball went forward, some exceptional movement off the ball by Mansell and Swain helping to create space for their teammates. Most of the danger came down the home sides right flank, and it was another overlapping run from a quickly taken Burrows free kick, that saw Kempton put in a delightful cross which Mansell headed home for his 7th of the season. The visitors had a few nice touches in the midfield but never looked threatening to the home sides defence. Mansell could have added a fourth just before the break but the home keeper denied him, then Mansell unselfishly pulled the ball square to Barber who scuffed his shot in front of an empty net. The second half saw Hurst sit back on their two gaol advantage, without a league win in 2 months the nerves started to show as the half went on. The visitors had a lot of the ball, as Hurst defended too deep and gave possession away too easily. The first half movement was not there and Kempson redeemed himself for his earlier mistake by pulling off two important saves midway through the second period, the second one a top draw effort. Hurst made a couple of changes as the players tired and they could have extended their lead but first Stafford and then Barber missed good opportunities. The home side did rap the match up as the visitors pressed forward, Burrows intercepting a square pass and releasing Biggs who calmly slotted the ball past the hapless keeper.

All round thoroughly deserved win for the home team was epitomised by their commitment and effort.

Manager Saunders felt his side deserved their win, “We played well in the first half and in the second it was just a matter of keeping our discipline, which we did but I did feel we sat back too much and lowed them to come back into the game. All the players were excellent, their attitudes spot on, Stu Kempton is back to form and his runs down the right were a constant danger, with Burrows spotting them particularly well. I actually thought we played a lot better last week against the Village when, we deserved something out of the game but that’s football! Burrow’s called nut meg was a highlight of the match for me, especially with his dance afterwards!! I have said all along we have the players here who can play football and match the topsides; it’s just a matter of them putting the effort in and applying themselves in the correct manner. We have another big game next week against Ifield, who have picked up lately and we must get a result from that one.”

Team: Kempson, Kempton, C Stevens, T Stevens, Rowe, Swain (70 mins Stafford), Fogden, Mansell, Barber (80mins Cusack) Burrows, Biggs

Man of the match: Stu Kempton, constant supply down the right wing

Dick of the Day: Kempson, butter fingers!

Rich City League Division Three

Team: Kempson, Kempton, Rowe, Burrows, C Stevens, Fogden, Biggs, Swain (Cusack 78mins) Mansell, Grimsley, Barber

Man of the Match: Burrows

Dick of the Day: Dave Biggs

Mid Sussex Senior Cup

2nd February 2002

Hurst hit be late winner

Hurstpierpoint 1 Haywards Heath 2

Hurst were hit by a late sucker punch that knocked them out of their last cup trophy of the season. The game was played on a good pitch, considering the wet weather, and in blustery conditions. Hurst changed their formation to try and out number the visitors in midfield, and they did out number them numerically in the first 45 but this did not help as Heath dominated the midfield area.

In a strange first half Hurst were second best, yet both sides had several good opportunities to score and the 1-0 half time scoreline did not reflect the match. Heath got off to a perfect start opening the scoring within 5 minutes. They worked the ball down the left, switched play to the right and as the ball came back across goal Rowe lost his footing, leaving Elphick unmarked at the far post where he confidently curled the ball home in to the top corner. Hurst had to re shuffle the pack after 10mins when they lost Neville to a serious knee injury. Heath had further opportunities to extend their lead, Kempson twice denying the lively Scriven with close range saves, and a header from a left wing cross hitting the bar. Heath were winning every 50 50 ball, but they did look square at the back, and looked like they would gift Hurst an equalizer. Twice Mansell and once Stafford went clean through, only for them to see their shots go wide, saved or caught up by the defenders.

The second half was a totally different story, Hurst put Heath under a lot of pressure as their midfield got on top, helped by the introduction of the rhino Burrows after 60 minutes. It was no surprise when Mansell levelled on 70 minutes. He picked up a threaded pass from Burrows, cleverly dummied the ball past the centre half and smashed it past the keeper. Hurst saw three attempts cleared off the line, even Ad Rowe managed to have a header brilliantly cleared off the line! Hurst were pushing hard for a winner and twice Mansell was denied by good saves and goal line clearances. Heath also had a great chance to get back in front on 75 minutes, when slack defending saw the ball reach Scriven unmarked 12 yards out; with the goal at his mercy he amazingly fired the ball wide. Again Hurst pushed as they searched for a winner, with total panic in the visiting defence. As the game looked to be heading for extra time, Hurst allowed a cross from the left to enter reach Hatt in the box and he drilled the ball home below Kempson. Hurst tried in vain to get another equalizer but time was then against them and it is Heath who has a home tie to TSC in the quarter finals.

Manager Saunders said, “In the first half far too many players weren’t interested in playing and left it to their team mates to help each other out. Although the commitment was not there in the first half we still had 4 good opportunities to score, but then so did Heath. Their midfield bossed the first 45, even though we numerically outnumbered them. After a few strong words at half time, it was a totally different story in the second 45, the commitment was there and we did manage to put them under a substantial amount of pressure, and once again we did not quite get the rub of the green, 3 cleared off the goal line and the ball did not fall for us in the penalty area. Lee scored a good goal, and I thought there was going to be only one team who would win it after that, but we shot ourselves in the foot and conceded a poor second goal. It is frustrating going out of the cup, especially after the first 45 minutes. Heath played poorly and if we could have played a decent first 45 we could have taken a healthy lead, but our performance let us down”

Team: Kempson, Kempton, Rowe, T Stevens, Kentsley, Fogden, Biggs, Stafford (Cusack 85mins) Mansell, Barber (Burrows 60mins), Neville (10 mins C Stevens)

Man of the Match: Ian Kentsley

Dick of the Day: Mark Stafford

Rich City League Division Three

19th January 2002

Hurst let lead slip

Steyning 3 Hurstpierpoint 1

Hurstpierpoint let a half time lead slip as they went down to a Steyning second half comeback. A tight first half saw both sides have opportunities to take the lead but it was Hurst who made the initial break through. Barber was sent clean through, for once the linesman’s flag stayed down, his touch took him in to the box and although his first shot was saved the keeper could not hold on and he managed to squeeze the ball home.

Steyning should have taken the lead minutes before this when the ball was squared across the Hurst 6 yard line and with the goal at his mercy Hannah scuffed his shot to allow Kempson to hack the ball off the line. Hurst were undone again a few minutes later, a through ball put McMichael in the clear and as he went to unleash the trigger Gardiner made a magnificent tackle to stop him in his tracks. Hurst were defending resolutely, with Burrows instrumental in organising the back line, and they were battling hard to close down their opponents, their strong play forced a succession of corners, which they could not capitalise on. They did have two more chances to extend their lead before the break, but the home keeper denied Mansell before Burrows saw his long range effort sail just over the bar.

Both sides battled hard and all players were fully committed, with strong tackles flying in all over the pitch. A heavy pitch made playing football difficult but both sides tried to give a good account of themselves by playing the ball on the deck.

The second half started with a lot of possession for the home side, and just as it looked like Hurst had weathered the early storm, Kentsley was penalised for tugging the shirt of Hannah as he ran away from goal. Hurst felt hard done by as both players had hold of their shirts and the ref seemed to succumb to pressure from the home crowd. The resultant penalty sent Kempson the wrong way. The goal lifted Steyning and it was now one way traffic and Hurst struggled to get out of their half. The home side’s confidence grew and another clever pass sent Lester threw, although again he looked to have come from an offside position this time the linesman flag stayed down, he drilled the ball past the keeper at his near post. Hurst were struggling to get to grips with the increased pace, and the heavy ground seemed to be taking its toll on the visiting players, keeper Kempson was called into action 3 times in 10 minutes but each time was up to the task. Hurst finally managed to break out of their own half and Mansell had a good chance but he did not react quickly enough to Hoadeys cross and the chance went begging. Steyning sealed victory when a long ball bounced in the Hurst box, the defenders did not deal with in properly, and McMichael brilliantly sent hi overhead kick into the top corner. Upcott came on for the visitors and made an immediate impact his clever chip tipped over the bar by the alert keeper.

The final piece of action saw Matt Hoadey produce a tremendous piece of skill on the left touchline, first he shimmed left and then right, like a dancing queen, then as he went to beat the man again he dropped his shoulder and produced a great turn only to fall flat on his a*se without taking the ball with him. This amused the crowd who burst into fits of laughter, even the visiting bench found it funny at 3-1 down!

Manager Saunders said, “We had a game plan which worked perfectly in the first half, the players carried it out to perfection. Unfortunately we tired in the second and were not able to maintain the level of performance. The turning point was the penalty, I thought it was extremely harsh, both players were tugging each other. If we could have held out for a bit longer I think we would have maybe got a result out of the game. The players did very well, hopefully we can take that level of performance into the remaining games, which we need to win at least 5 of.”

Team: Paul Kempson, Kempton, Kentsley, Gardiner, Stevens, Hoadey, Burrows, Fogden, Stafford (75mins Upcott) Mansell L, Barber

Man of the Match: Colin Gardiner, solid and committed Dick of the Day: Matt Hoadey

Rich City League Division Three

A tight affair at the rec ended in a stalemate with both defences looking impressive as neither side really put any flowing football together. A draw was probably a fair result overall, with both sides attempting to play the ball on the ground which was good to see after certain other teams who have visited the rec this season!

Both sides took a while to settle in to the match, and it was the visitors who had the first real opportunity. Thankfully for Hurst the effort blazed over the bar. Hurst suffered a major setback in the first five minutes when their stand in keeper, Paul Kempson, was injured in a clash with the ‘borough forward. He managed to continue until the break but his movement was severely limited. However he was still able to thwart the visitors best first half effort, when he firstly denied the on rushing forward and was alert and somehow quick enough to get up and deny the forward for the second time.

Hurst started to get themselves into the match and Mansell saw a clever lob from 35 yards just pass over the top of the bar. Kempton then picked the ball up inside his own half, drove 35 yards towards the opponent’s goal and hit a thumping drive straight at the keeper. Burrows then hit a screamer that shaved the top of the cross bar. Just before the break a clever reverse pass sent Mansell clean through as the visitors defence pushed right up he ran on to the ball from inside his own half. However the linesman was quick to raise his flag and the ref had no option but to award offside, much to the annoyance of the home team. At the other end the Borough forwards looked dangerous; linking up well with clever one two passes. But the Hurst back line held strong and the teams went in level at the break.

Hurst’s keeper could not continue after the break and they had to put an outfield player in between the sticks. The second half followed a very similar pattern with both defences coming out on top. Passion was high and players worked hard to close their opponents down. Both sides had two good chances each to win the match, first Crowborough looked to have taken the advantage when Hurst lost the ball at the back, allowing Singer the chance to break down the left. He lifted the ball over the advancing keeper only to see it drift wide of the far upright. Kempton then sent a delightful cross in to the box, which Mansell headed just wide, when he should really have done better. ‘Borough then had their best opportunity when the unmarked centre back headed goal wards from a left wing corner. The ball was cleared from the goalmouth straight to the waiting forward whose drive at the back post was well saved by the stand in keeper Tennant. Burrows then sent in a free kick which Kentsley could not quite steer his header on target. As the game went in to injury time Tostevine raced through in to the box and looked to have been brought down from behind, but as Hurst screamed for a penalty the ref pointed for a goal kick.

Manager Lee Saunders said, ”I felt we contained them extremely well, our back four was superb in particular the two centre halves, they were just immense. The chances they created really came from our own doing by giving the ball away in the wrong places. We just lack a bit of conviction with out passing and need to work on our movement off the ball, which will hopefully come with a goal. A draw was probably a fair result given the lack of real chances, I was a bit worried when we lost our keeper but Simon Tennant did a fantastic job in the second period, he did not have much to do in terms of action but his talking and organisation was outstanding and he did pull off one excellent save. Every player, including the subs, gave 100% and you can’t ask for much more than that. It is great to have Colin, Chinner, Burrows and Mansell back in the team, there is so doubt that when we have our strongest 11 out we're a match for any team in the division. If we can keep a settled team for a few weeks we might put a decent run together. And we are still missing our attacking players Tandy, Swain and our top scorer Paul Ground.”

Team: Kempson (Tennant 45mins), Rowe, Kempton, Gardiner, Kentsley, Biggs, Stafford (Tostevine 65mins), Burrows (Upcott 80 mins), Fogden, Mansell, Barber

Man of the Match: Colin Gardiner

Dick of the Day: Paul Kempson

Rich City League Division Three

Rich City League Division Three

Sussex Intermediate Cup Round Three

15th December 2001

Hurstpierpoint 0 East Grinstead Town Reserves 2

Hurst  2  Uckfield  0

Rich City Division 3 8th December.

Hurst Kept up their good record against a poor Uckfield side and should have won by many more than the 2 goals.

Hurst started with Paul 'Kempo' Kempson 2nd team manager in goal because of a mix up about Dave Mansells whereabouts. The long injury list also meant that the only recognised striker was Greg Upcott starting and making only his second appearance for the first team. Also, Colin Gardiner (friend of Andy Hartless) debuted as a central defender.

In a generally poor first half the main talking points were the sending off of one Uckfield player and as to whether their number 7 should have also seen red for a dreadful tackle on Andy Hartless after previously flattening Jay Tostevin. There was just one moment of note when an Uckfield cross was met in the box with a scuffed effort and a hurst defender hoofed the ball off the line with Kempo floundering. Hurst could only summon some routine saves for the Uckfield keeper.

In the second half Hurst started to push the ball around more meaningfully and finally a great through ball from Hartless saw Upcot race away and his shot screwed off a defender into the net to give Hurst the lead. After that Hurst created enough chances to have won 3 games, with Tostevin the main culprit (But good running to get the positions Jay). Three times in one on one's with the keeper he managed to miss the target or hit the keeper. Hurst finally got the cushion of a second goal courtesy of the referee who ruled the goalkeeper picked up a back pass, when most thought the defender had miskicked. Then instead of ordering the kick to be taken fromwhere the 'offence took place the ref chose a spot on the edge of the penalty area. Hurst's debuting Gardiner stepped up to blast the ball through the Uckfield wall and past the unsighted keeper.

After that the game went pretty dead as Uckfield gave up any hopes they might have had and Hurst settled for what they had. The real bonus was the confident and commanding performance of Colin Gardiner who also lasted the game well considering he hasn't played regularily for about 2 years. It goes to show that just once in a while "I know a friend who can play" does pay off.

 Team: P. Kempson, A. Rowe, I. Kentsley, C. Gardiner, T. Stevens, J. Tostevin(A. Cusack 80min), A. Hartless, S. Fogden, S. Kempton, G. Upcot(g. Neville 75min), D. Biggs

Mid Sussex Senior Cup Saturday 24th November

Hurstpierpoint 4 Cowfold 1 Hurst came behind for the third cup match this season, highlighting the inconsistency of their performances this year. Another poor opening 45 minutes saw the home side fall behind to a 10th minute effort, Spooner taking advantage of some hesitancy in the home defence. A long ball was played deep into the Hurst penalty area, Charman came but the header from Kempton sailed over his head and allowed Spooner to put the ball into an empty net. Cowfold then had two good chances to extend their lead, but Charman was well positioned to deny the visitors. Hurst could not find any rhythm and played at a very slow pace, making it easy for the visitors. They managed to draw themselves level just before the break when Burrows got up well from a Neville corner, headed the ball across goal and Mansell bravely nodded home from 5 yards. Hurst played at a much quicker tempo in the second period, keeping the ball much better and they found themselves in front on the hour when a rasping 25 yard bullet from Mansell found its way in to the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. Cowfold worked hard but their lack of fitness really told as the second half wore on and in the end that was the main difference. Substitute Upcott neatly finished a well-worked move and he could have added another but his touch just let him down. Mansell completed his hat tick in the 85th minute, turning in a low cross from Tim Stevens who worked himself in to a good position down the left. More bad news on the injury front, Burrows has pulled a hamstring and could be out for a month, while Lee Mansell has gone over on his ankle, which looks bad as well. The scoreline flattered the hosts and Cowfold take a lot from the match. Manager Saunders said, We made hard work of it again, especially in the first half. Playing against a big side we knocked long balls instead of playing the ball to feet. But credit to the players for having the confidence to knock the balls round in the second half. I knew if we did that we would be ok, and in the end it proved so. I think we have Haywards Heath in the next round, and we can t give them a goal head start that s for sure! . Team: Charman, Kentsley, Kempton, Cusack (Brooks 65 mins), Fogden, Rowe, Stevens, Swain (Tennant 80mins), Burrows (Upcott 65mins), Mansell, Neville Man of the match: Lee Mansell, superb hat trick Dick of the Day: Charman NOBR

Division Three Cup First Round

Sussex Intermediate Cup Round Two 10th November 2001

Rich City League Division Three Saturday 3rd November 2001

Rich City League Division Three Saturday 27th October 2001

Rich City League Division Three Saturday 20th October 2001

Sussex Intermediate Cup 13th October 2001

Hurst slip bottom of the pile

Sussex Intermediate Cup First Round 13th October 2001