A warm and gentile welcome from the Beaconsfield is a very different experience from following Millwall, where, when traveling away hostility is the prerequisite form opposition support and an absolute must from the local constabulary. Another fine autumnal evening with little wind and a decent looking pitch sets the scene.

A very open game started with both teams playing quick accurate passing football on the deck. Hailsham a different proposition to Friday, more mobile, sharper, V's midfield are not really bossing, fair enough, not always gonna have it their own way. This sounding each other out brings a through ball to Matt Waterman on 7 minutes, clean through a meaty shot is blocked by the keeper, follow up is not quite connected, good build up that with the keeper doing well. The sparring and probing settles down again, this is a quick fire game, both sides snapping with the tackles both sides looking for that one pass to open up the defence. There is a 10 minute period where the V’s can’t quite find the rhythm, misplaced passes two from Dom Hemblade, two from Arnie and again two from Lol Edwards stops the V’s getting a head of steam, that said Harveyin goal hasn’t had to make a save, he is fleet of foot though and a number of times is on the edge of his area to distribute and keep possession.

It was difficult to see the build up and indeed the goal when it came, a run and strong cross from the right, I think that came from dubut boy Tommy Boyle, the ball seemed to come back across the face of the goal with Jamie placing it beyond the keeper. Hailsham come back into it with some sustained pressure, a fizzing shot from 25yds is just wide. Luke Akehurst makes a very good tackle to keep them at bay, Loz finds Dom with a 30 yarder. The game is flowing and it’s the V’s right channel with Tommy making runs that on 33mins result in his shot being blocked, within a minute another cross and the ball is in the net, but no, the ref gives a pen, strange. No problem Loz steps up 2-0. Hailsham get a bit ragged, maybe a bit niggly as they have two players sin binned and finish the half with 9 men.

Second half starts with Hailsham with 9 men, Tom Barnes on for Dom. The V’s take advantage and pressure, a couple of corners on the second there is a clash of heads resulting the Hailsham player going off, it look like the V’s would put Hailsham to the sword, patient play and keeping the ball. The was a series of 4 or 5 corners with good defending by Hailsham, the keeper opted to punch one of these straight back out for a corner, effective.

Hailsham gradually pull themselves together, have the full complement on the pitch and start a bit of resurgence. So the game swings and opens up again, fast breaks from the V’s with Matt being a handful, Hailsham skying a couple of chances, V’s heading one off the line and then more break out attacks with surging runs from Alfie and Omar. Subs Jarred (brick outhouse) and Oscar did their bit and gave the V's the impetus of fresh legs and youthful energy. 2-0 full time, V’s will take that.

Stand outs for the V’s;

Again its difficult to pick individuals as that was a fast and hard game that from the side-line didn’t look as comfortable as Friday, nevertheless was very good team effort. I have to say that both Omar and Christian in the middle at the back looked absolute class, the reading of the game is key in this position and they pretty much read everything, intercepted, won the battle in the air and controlled everything. I also happen to think it is the most pressurised position on the pitch, generally the centre backs are all seeing, control the line, meaning their fullbacks, call the line meaning pushing the team up and instructing the midfield on who to ‘pick up’. It’s not difficult to see that is where I spent most of my playing career. Man of the Match goes to Omar, just shading Christian.