Village people lock horns

[Mike May]

Hooper Holt Mid Sussex - Premier Division
Smallfield ( 2 ) 4 Lindfield ( 0 ) 2
(Tennant 36, Liddle 42, Pearson 80, 82.) ( Unknown 57 pen, 72.)

BATTLE OF THE VILLAGE PEOPLE

It took Smallfield 36 mins before breaking down a determined Lindfield outfit who belied their lowly league position before finally bowing out in the final ten minutes of the game, the homesters held at bay and getting frustrated eventually broke thro to break the deadlock with goals from Tom Tennent and the industrious Jamie Liddle to lead at the break. HT 2-0

If the homesters thought it would be plain sailing in the second half they were to be rudely awakened, as the visitors then proceeded to tear up the script and then answered with goals in the 57th pen and 72, leaving the homesters rather shaken and having to knuckle down and grind their way back into the game.

Turning point came with the introduction of leading goalscorer Ryan Pearson in the second half this then steaded the ship, and a quick fire double in the 80th and 82nd settled the homesters nerves and in the end ran out worthy winners. FT 4-2 Smallfield.

With Cuckfield Rangers also winning tonight, both sides now have identical playing records with Cuckfield just leading on a single goal difference with one game to play whilst Smallfield need just four points from their final two games to wrest the runners up spot in this their first season in the Premiership.

Icing on the cake continues this coming Saturday when the Field face Portslade in the Final of the Montgomery Cup which will be held at the Green Elephant Stadium home of Burgess Hill KO 3pm.