Haven Maintain Their Lofty Position

Manager Shaun Saunders gave a start on the right side of midfield, to new signing from Whitehawk Jerahl Hughes.

The visitor’s looked to have come with a plan to hit on the attack utilising the speed of their forwards. The tactic almost paid early dividends, when the reliable Craig Richards had to clear off the line after a persistent Town attack.

On 10 minutes the home side opened the scoring with a heavily disputed goal. A Craig Richards shot from a corner was adjudged to have crossed the line by the assistant referee, much to the dismay of Town.

There was no doubt at all about the equaliser though as Haven indecisive in defence, allowed the lively Billy Medlock through to score in the bottom corner with a well taken shot.

Mid-way through the first half matters threatened to boil over, as an innocuous challenge flared into a melee involving virtually every player including both keepers.

After a scrappy period, Haven picked up the pace. James Broadbent in the Town goal punched clear a shot from top scorer Charlie Walker that looked a certain goal. Tom Burton then had a brace of decent headed opportunities, but both missing the target.

With the ball fed into Walker on 37 minutes, he cleverly drew a foul from the defender as he turned in the box. Referee Matt Eva had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Walker got up off the deck, to hammer the spot kick past the diving Broadbent.

Six minutes later, the game was all but won when from a pin point delivered corner by Josh Jones, Burton on the near post headed on for Craig Richards to head home his second of the day.

In the second half Peacehaven were dominant. As early as the 51st minute their efforts were rewarded when Walker put through on the left, fiercely struck past the visiting keeper for 4-1.

The introduction of Lloyd Cotton saw the distribution forward through midfield improve greatly. With the wind taken out of Town’s sails, Haven attacked at will.

Richards, Burton and Cotton all saw gilt-edged chances from six yards or less somehow go over the bar, but Cotton’s blushes were at least saved by an offside flag.

Still enough time in the match for one last chance for Walker, whose great run and shot from the left went agonisingly past the post.