Town win 5-0 against AFC Varndeanians (no this isn’t a belated April fools)

Town looked to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Horsham YMCA, at home to, AFC Varndeanians.

Town still in the battle to finish within the top 4, Varndeanians looking for their first win in the league in 12. Last time out, it took a last minute winner from Tyler Capon to gain the 3 points but Town were hoping to win more convincingly this time out. Jude MacDonald made 2 changes to the lineup with James waters and Jack Samways replacing Anesu Sisimayi (absent due to personal reasons) and Ollie Davies dropped to the bench. The bench also contained u23s manager Sean Lee and u23s graduate Anthony Gill. 

The game started with Town on the front foot, firing plenty of balls into the Vardeanians but the visitors dealt with them well. Fletcher Holman, now occupying the 7 position, fired one over in the 6th minute providing relief to the visitors. The game then became a midfield battle with neither team dominating the possession and a few sloppy passes on each side. 20 mins in and you would have to say it was Fletcher Holman providing the most threat with a few promising runs forwards, however, very few shots were taken.

In the 20th minute, Leon Greig sent a good cross over to Callum Barlow however he fires it just wide. Town began to dominate the ball with Holman and Peacock putting in balls into the box but still no clear chance on goal. Holman finally made a clear chance in the 26th minute going around the defender having a shot that was saved but he was there for the follow up to place it beautifully into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Town! Holman was in the mood, a few minutes later, Alfie Peacock passed it to Holman in the box and forced Hawkins into a save. Leon Greig then made another good cross into the box, however, it evades the incoming Samways. Then, Alfie Peacock fired a long shot which flew straight into the top left corner to make it 2-0 to Town. That’s 2 screamers for the Hastings loanee for Town in the last 4. Then Peacock looked for his second with a nice pass from Holman however he can’t take his chance. The teams went in at halftime with Town leading 2-0 

The second half started slowly until Holman came charging forwards about 10 mins into the half and became one-on-one with the keeper. However, the ball somehow went wide to leave the score at 2-0. Varndeanins entered the half giving it a proper go, looking to achieve the impossible, however, they did not work Chris Winterton. Then out of nowhere, Town on the attack in the 67th minute with Fletcher Holman flying forward, squared it perfectly and was finished nicely by James waters to make it 3-0. Then 2 minutes later, Town hammered another nail in the coffin with Fletcher Holman finishing in a 1 on 1 making it 4-0 to Town.

It then became men against boys as Holman looked to make it a hat trick however the keeper was able to place it slightly wide. Varndeanians looked defeated. Varndeanians then had a long shot forcing a wonderful diving save from Winterton. Then in the 86th minute, James Waters fizzed a ball into Holman who connected with a brilliant headed, leaving the keeper rooted, to secure the high flying youngster his second hat trick of the season and making it 5-0 to Town in the process.

The game ended 5-0 in-front of a raucous Town crowd. A result that puts Town into 4th. 

Town welcome Peacehaven to the Saffrons next week before heading to The Oval on Easter Monday for The Eastbourne Derby. 

Attendance: 212 

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photography: Josh Claxton