The Bexhill Old Stars made a great start to their home game with the Hornets. After 10 minutes it was one all and neither team was showing much dominance.
But ten minutes is a long time in walking football and by half time the Hornets had begun to turn the screw. Chairman Phil was the first on the score sheet with an uppish shot that gave Raz no chance in the Bexhill goal. But his strike was cancelled out by a neat finish from Pete who beat The Cat at his near post with their only shot of the first 20. Woeful Hornets’ defending saw Pete lurking unmarked on the left and he made no mistake.
By the time The Chairman repeated his strike with a carbon copy centre forward’s goal and the Riddler got his first, there had been 10 Hastings shots and five super saves from the ageless Raz to keep his Reds in it. 1-3 at the interval.
Chairs wasn’t done for the morning and got his hat trick after the break before the Riddler tucked away his second of the game with a lovely turn and finish. Big Andy got the award for the best-taken goal of the game with a sweet half volley from a Chairman assist and Welsh International Touchline Mike got on the scoresheet with a firm finish.
A penalty kick for the Hornets gave Chairs his fourth of the game and referee Stumpy sent off Alan for fouling on a goal-scoring opportunity and then blue-carded Ant on the totting-up procedure. It didn’t make things any easier on the Old Stars with Mick – who had been consistently good all match – getting his name on the scoresheet too.
It finished 1-9 Hornets which will do their goal difference the world of good.
The Cat was called upon to make one decent save from Clive the Boot in the second half, but all the goalkeeping heroics were at Raz’s end. Without him, it could have been a rugby score.
The ref was rightly hot on running offences (he really had it in for Legendary Rog) and the game – played on a tiny pitch – had not much flow to it.
The Assassin played beautifully at the back all match and never put a foot wrong. It was his first team start and he didn’t disappoint.
Hornets’ manager Mark was on hand with his usual brand of touchline enthusiasm and encouragement and bravely juggled his strike force with some inspired changes always leading to another goal.
Man of the match for the Old Stars was Raz who rolled back the years in their goal and the Hornets’ four-goal hero was Scouse Phil who justifiably wins the away MOM award.