Mid Sussex 2

Burnt Ash 3

South Hockey League

BURNT Ash won their second league game of the season but ironically it was probably their worst team performance of the year.

Burnt Ash started with a new formation and it seemed to be working because they opened the scoring in the first 25 seconds through Simon Teale.

Although Ash were down to 10 men after an early yellow card they continued to push for a second goal only to squander numerous chances.

In reply Mid Sussex were lacking attacking options but managed to win a short corner following some lax marking and from it they duly equalised.

It went from bad to worse for Ash as Mid Sussex's next attack led to a second goal and the lead.

In the second half Ash tried to play their way out of trouble but could not reach the performance levels of previous weeks.

Midway through the half an Ash short corner was converted by Tom Stolworthy to bring the scores level and with 10 minutes remaining Dominic Flannery picked up the pieces from a goalmouth melee to score what turned out to by the winning goal Burnt Ash 2nd team 2 Holcombe 4 WHEN these two sides met pre-season Ash came away the victors but with Holcs fielding a much-changed side, this proved to be a much tougher contest.

Ash started well and soaked up early pressure from the visitors and they could have been three goals up having caught the visitors on the counter attack a number of times.

After sustained pressure of their own Ash finally broke the deadlock through Mark Wilkes' debut goal.

The half ended with both teams enjoying possession but the hosts held their slim advantage at the break.

Ash stumbled out of the interval and within five minutes found themselves 2-1 down as Holcs came out blazing and were rewarded with two quick goals.

It spurred Ash into trying to salvage something from the match and it paid off as Stratton slotted home from close range to score his 14th goal of the season.

At 2-2 the game could have gone either way with both teams creating chances however poor marking by Ash allowed Holcs to break through four on one and despite the best efforts of the keeper, Holcs took the lead.

Holcs scored their fourth and final goal thanks to Ash's slack marking.

At the match closed the hosts had a series of short corners but could not make them count and Holcs ran out clear winners.

Ash face Canterbury 4's next week and hope to make amends for the two poor displays in previous weeks.