This match was never as one sided as the score might suggest, tho once again the familiar second half failings did raise its ugly head again, although for differing reasons as this time the Anvils committed themselves to all out attack in the second half rather than just sitting back and closing up shop, and tho having as much play as the Stringers they lacked the visitors more clinical finishing.

Anvils got off to the worst possible start going a goal down in the first 90 seconds thro Jack Divall after approach play from Pat Johnson 0-1 HailshamT. Just after Steve Stacey then bought Anvil keeper Sam Jackson into the action. It took the Anvils 10 mins to shake off that early disaster with first Tom Frankland’s fierce cross missing all and sundry, then came Charlie Dodd and Steve Major having their shots charged down. On 15 Josh Alcock on a charge also went near as did the returning Matt Gates who forced Stringers keeper Sheldon Levett to punch clear, come 20 and the same player set up Clive Zammit for a clear run on goal with just Levett to beat, but the chance was missed. The Stringers then got back into attack mode with Danny Leach taking advantage of a slip by Gates but could only fire over, on 38 Jamie Salvidre then saw his shot cleared off the line followed by Leach again forcing Jackson to hack clear, come 40 however and another Anvil defensive blunder let in Divall in acres of space to notch his sides second as the half ended.
HT: 0-2 HailshamT.

Anvils now attacking the Kop End for the second half had an early Alcock effort turned away by Levett, on 50 a Zammit corner found Alcock in space but put the ball wide, at this stage Alcock was becoming the heartbeat of the side as everything seem to stem from him, not only continuing to implement attack after attack but not adverse to having the odd pot himself. For the visitors tho on the back foot for most of the half still looked dangerous on the break and on 55 had a great chance to put more daylight between the sides with Leach drawing Jackson out but with a vacant goal looming rolled his shot against the post enabling Gates to hack clear.

Come 65 and all change on the Anvil bench with Jacob Wright and Grant Rigler being replaced by Matt Burroughs and Geo Wallis, the bustling Burroughs then sent Gates clear but the fullbacks shot drifted wide of the far post, just after it was Burroughs again muscling his way thro to test Levett, as the Anvils upped the ante. However further heartbreak was never far away, and come 72 lack of cover let in Sam Divall to increase the lead even further, and if that wasn't bad enough a mistake by Jackson let in Leach again to add to the Stringers tally. 0-4 HailshamT. A further let off for the Anvils came on 80 with Salvidre failing to take advantage of an open net as the Anvil rear guard had gone AWOL again. With little over 10 to go and four goals down surely it was game set and match to the visitors, but no the Anvils refused to lie down with Burroughs and Alcock plus everyone else pouring forward in search of goals, leaving at times huge gaps in defence, but persistence paid off with Burroughs cutting inside to notch the Anvil opener. 1-4 HailshamT. More chances then followed with Wallis next to fire over, come 88 with everyone in the Stringers half a long ball out of defence found Leach in acres of space to tuck the ball home. 1-5 HailshamT.

Game over must be, but no this team never gives up and in added on time Steve Major found a gap to squeeze the ball home, greeted by rather subdued applause, perhaps even seven goals on the night was to much to savour on such a horrid wind & rainy evening. FT 2-5 Hailsham Town.

Team: Sam Jackson, Matt Gates, Jacob Wright (George Wallis ), Charlie Dodd (Sam Cane), Blair Cooney, James Day, Tom Frankland, Josh Alcock, Grant Rigler (Matt Burroughs), Steve Major, Clive Zammit.

MOM: Josh Alcock. Gate: 64