New Signing Seals Win for Peacehaven

In a season that has seen some strong and consistent refereeing in the Ryman One South, at times this game ran the risk of boiling over, as both sides were bemused and then angered by the decisions of match day referee Mr Hollier.

From the start, Haven played their usual attacking football, but did not have things all their own way as Burgess Hill pressured every ball. Visiting manager Ian Chapman looked like a man under pressure as he exploded with his usual passion, at the first of the referee’s dubious calls of the afternoon.

Town had the first meaningful effort on goal, as Toby Pointing’s header from a corner was saved down low.

On ten minutes a free kick conceded on the edge of the box, was punished by Haven. Josh Jones floated the kick to the back post, where it was met by Ash Jones who headed back across the box. At close the range, Jamie Brotherton nodded in.

In fact Brotherton looked lively all afternoon, getting involved at every opportunity. Each time he was on the ball, it looked like he was going to make something happen.

Five minutes later, Haven doubled their advantage as Town keeper Alan Mansfield parried a shot. Josh Jones followed up his effort for 2-0.

Chapman changed things bringing on Pat Harding for Joe Keehan, and instantly got the reaction he was looking for as Town began to push forward with purpose.

Spencer Slaughton crossed from the left on twenty minutes, for Max Miller to easily head in to reduce the deficit.

Suddenly, Town looked invigorated. Their persistence paid off on the half hour as former Albion player Paul Armstrong set up Harding to equalise in the bottom corner.
Reflecting their manager’s character, the visitor’s physical display was coupled with a steely determination. Going in at the half, Chapman would have been the more pleased of the two managers.

The second half mirrored the first with Haven quick out of the traps. Four minutes in and new signing Martzetti capped a solid debut with his well taken goal, after good work from Brotherton.

For the remainder of the game, sadly it became a battle of attrition as Mr Hollier came to the fore. Normally observers will say that a referee favoured one side or another, but here both teams were equally perplexed by the whistle being blown repeatedly for minor infringements, with Haven’s Brotherton and Town’s Darren Budd vocal in their frustrations.

At ninety minutes a 3-2 defeat seemed a little harsh on the visitor’s, but the win took Peacehaven up to an incredible fifth position in the league.