WITH much disruption due to the weather, Hailsham Town played just two first-team games in the last month, with two huge wins as the season heads towards the business end.
On Saturday, 31 January, the Stringers smashed league newcomers Rudgwick 7-0 at Peacehaven, with Kyle Davis scoring twice and Toby Brett, the returning Tristan Jarvis, Michael Lloyd, Will Ridgway and Ollie Albery also on target.
After two postponements, Hailsham were then next in action on Saturday 21st February in Sussex FA Intermediate Cup Semi Final action away to TD Shipley.
After a Semi Final defeat last season, Hailsham were in no mood to be denied this time around – Toby Brett opened the scoring midway through the first half, with Will Ridgway (penalty) and Sammy Townsend scoring in the second half to earn Hailsham a comfortable win and a spot in the final, to be played at Lancing FC’s Culver Road ground, in April against either Westfield or Hollington United. Hailsham previously won the competition in the 1953-54 season, when they also won promotion to the County League for the first time. A good omen?
Hailsham will finish the month away to Capel (Saturday 28th, League), before a busy and what could well be decisive March sees TD Shipley twice the opponents in the league (Saturday 7th and 14th), as well as a second cup Semi Final, this time in the Division Two League Cup against Rustington on Tuesday 17th (Shoreham FC, 7.30pm). Hailsham then again face Rustington in the league, before finishing the month with the long trip to Bosham on Saturday 28th.
The Stringers Women have also suffered due to the weather, with no games played since the big win against Worthing Town on the 11th of January.
