Written By : on 08/04/2023

Categories: Match Report

Town entered the weekend looking to build on their emphatic win against AFC Varndeanins against a Peacehaven side who have not played a Saturday afternoon game in almost a month. Following elimination from the FA Vase, Peacehaven have managed 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw and sat before the game in 8th just 4 points shy of Town. 

Peacehaven started the game quickly forcing Winterton into an early claim from a corner. Then Town went on the attack with a great attacking play leading to Fletcher Holman skying it. Peacehaven then looked a threat again from a set piece however the header from the corner was fired over. Peacehaven came charging forwards in the 12 minute with Callum Edwards one on one with Winterton however the chip over goed wide giving a sigh of relief to the team who has gone almost a month without conceding.  15 mins in, it looked like Peacehaven were the most likely to score with them having a few positive crosses into the box. Then it was Town with the attack with Fletcher Holman beating his man and crossing it in, however Ollie Davies couldn’t get on the end of it. Town were loosing out on every arial duel. The game went quiet for the next 15 mins with few chances for either side and fairly even possession. 

Then in the 31st minute Town had their breakthrough. Davies played through to Holman who skilled the Peacehaven defender and slotted it into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Town! Then, neither team had any convincing changes until a free kick was sent in by Leon Greig, meets Chappell before Hover scuffs it however the Lino puts his flag up to save his blushes. Then Ollie Davies came charging forwards being 1 on 1 with the keeper however Davies shoots it wide to keep the deficit to 1. At the end of the first half, Peacehaven had a corner which was claimed nicely by Chris Winterton and the half ended 1-0 to Town. 

The second half started with Peacehaven firing a few shots into the box. However a reckless tackle from Harry Pollard into Anesu Sisimayi reduced Peacehaven to 10 men. That challenge definitely took the peace out of Peacehaven.Sisimayi survived without injury but Peacehaven on the other hand looked dented. Town then had a corner which fell to Holman on the edge of the box, however it slides just wide. James Waters then looks like Albion player Kaoru Mitoma with skilful moves in the box, however he skies the shot. Town looked energised but the FA Vase Quarter finalists weren’t going down without a fight going forwards with promise however failing to provide a shot on target. 

Peacehaven kept providing threats with Edwards and Marshall with Town attempting to counter attack with Sisimayi and Waters. Then saving a shot, Winterton required treatment allowing Jude to get the groups mind focused. It was important Town did not get complacent with the man advantage.  Davies then skinned Ross Barclay ( not that one) however Waters couldn’t finish the shot. 

Town were forced to scramble it away multiple times halfway through the second half as Town looked to loose their composure. Holman then came forward looking for a vital second goal however the pass to Waters in the box was cut out. Callum Barlow was then brought on for Davies in an attempt to end Towns arial struggles. Barlow instantly looked a threat almost getting his head on a corner but the keeper had it covered. Greig then put in a free kick which deflected off a Peacehaven defender who forced his own keeper into a quick reaction save. 

Peacehaven then thought they had got one back courtesy of Mikey Lloyd however the Lino put his flag the opposite way. However the ref didn’t listen to his own assistant making it 1-1. Then Peacehaven headed it toward goal beating Winterton but Nathan Hover was able to head it off the goal line. 

Town then went on a great run with Samways before a in the box scramble lead to a throw in. The throw in went back to Samways who’s shot hit the Peacehaven defender and no one could get onto the ball again. From a long throw Barlow went back to his centre back ways and headed it out before the ball from Sisimayi got to Hover who headed it just over the bar. Then Peacehaven went on a run with Deen having a long shot going wide. Callum Barlow came charging 1 on 1 following a stoppage looking for a last minute  winner however the keeper had an easy catch in the end. Barlow then was on the receiving end of a cross from Leon Geig however the header was saved. Despite both teams best efforts, it ended 1-1. 

Town face United at The Oval on Monday morning at 11am in the Eastbourne derby.

They welcome high flying Newhaven on Saturday for their final home game of the season

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photos by: Josh Claxton