First Team v Spartan 04

Ticehurst slump to heavy defeat in promotion decider
On a bright sunny day in Hastings Ticehurst failed to ignite in what was their most important game to date. A win would have sent Ticehurst up to the Premier League. Furthermore, press speculation will continue in to Ben Warlow’s future with the European Championships fast approaching and his name being on the short list to take over the national side.  It could be argued with so much press attention from the notable columnist Rob Guile that it could have had some effect on the Ticehurst players, much like Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side, who have slumped to a poor run of form.
Yet, the first half saw Ticehurst under pressure with the home side enjoying the better of the possession. The first goal came from the Spartan right hand side whose player crossed into the box to their unmarked striker who slotted home.  Ticehurst may have felt it a little harsh to be a goal down after Leon Fisher had smashed a shot from 16 yards out into the top corner that forced an outstanding save from the Spartan keeper.  Liam Bull also had a chance denied and rightly so Ticehurst felt it disappointing to be one down.
Ticehurst saw their first half woes grow when the home side broke the offside trap and whip a cross in that was well met by the Spartan forward who placed the ball past a helpless Joe Gorman.  Ticehurst FC unfortunately found themselves 2-0 down at half time. Yet there was hope as Ticehurst had created chances.
The second half saw Ticehurst start brightly and put much pressure on the home team. Wayne Stone was able to control the midfield and feed Leon Fisher into the game. Ticehurst were quite dominant down their left hand side. It was an attack down the left hand side that got Ticehurst their goal to bring the game to 2-1. Rob Guile burst through the defence and had his shot deflected off the Spartan defender and the ball span in past the keeper and crept into the net.
The next 10 minutes saw Ticehurst dominate and rattle the home side. Most neutral spectators would have thought the next goal would have come from Ticehurst and perhaps it should have done when Liam Bull went through, and had his shot saved by the excellent Spartan keeper.
Moments later Spartan killed off the game with a long ball from the keeper that bounced right through the centre of defence and was bought down excellently by the Spartan striker who thumped it straight into the net. At 3-1 many Ticehurst players lost their heads and Spartan were able to kill off the game with a further two goals to add to the misery of the away team.
Ticehurst have a week off before they play their final game of the season against Mountfield. Ticehurst can still get promoted but it is out of their hands now and they must prey that results go their way.