What a difference (half) a year makes. When Peacehaven lost at Three Bridges in September they looked to be in for a torrid season, and the Crawley side appeared certainties for promotion. Since then 'Haven have lost only one league match, and Bridges have lost eleven, a run which has all but ended their chances of finishing in the top two.

That is now Peacehaven's target for the season, and this result, coming on the back of a win at Rye, suggests they are on track to achieve their goal. They should have won this game more comfortably, as they had two strikes ruled out, and restricted their opposition to half chances and long range efforts.

Scott Marshall came back into the starting line up in place of Connor Saunders, in an otherwise unchanged team. 'Bridges included a number of big names such as Lee Carney, Ellis Hooper and Tom Lyons.

For once the temperature at Piddinghoe Avenue was above freezing, and the

Three Bridges settled quickly and created the first opportunity of the match as Carney broke into the box, but drove his shot over the bar. At the other end Craig Bunch was unable to find the target with a fiercely struck volley.

The first controversial moment of the game arrived when Dean Carden appeared to trip Ashley Rees, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Seconds later, after consulting with his assistant, he changed his mind and awarded a goal kick. Peacehaven were fuming, and seconds later they almost fell behind. Joe Adams inexplicably hit a clearance straight to Elliott Romain, but with the goal beckoning the Bridges striker was unable to find the target. It was a huge let off for Peacehaven, and it would be as close as their visitors would come to scoring.

Despite having some of the best players in the league, it has been another season of underachievement for Three Bridges, and there was a sense that this was a collection of talented individuals rather than a cohesive unit.

Peacehaven have been overachieving in the big matches of late, and they upped the tempo at the start of the second half. They soon took the lead, and for the third game running they were assisted by some poor defending.

Adams' big boot forward was allowed to go all the way through to Rees, and his goal-bound shot was bundled in by Ryan Bradley. Minutes later Peacehaven had the second strike of the afternoon ruled out. A fantastic team move was finished off by Rob O'Toole, but was chalked off for use of the hand.

Three Bridges launched an increasingly desperate surge to save themselves, but there was little fluidity to their play, and few chances were created. Adam Kneller has been outstanding in defence since Christmas, and he completely subdued Tom Lyons, for the second time this season.

Peacehaven now believe that they can win their remaining seven matches, and will be hoping for a second consecutive runners up spot.

Report by
Alex Panton

Saturday 26th March 2011.   Sussex County League, Division 1. Peacehaven & Telscombe 1 - 0 Three Bridges Joe Adams 1 Simon Lockwood Craig Hall 2 Dean Carden  54 Matt Hill 3 Chris Head  65 Adam Kneller  59 4 Callum Donaghy Scott Marshall 5 Ellis Hooper Aaron Gunn 6 Andy Howard Clive Snell 7 Danny Bates Ryan Bradley  63 8 Lee Carney Craig Bunch  82 9 Tom Lyons Ashley Rees    80 10 Elliot Romanio  59 Rob O'Toole  11 Nigel Brake  43 Substitutes James MacKenzie  80 12 James Grant  54 Tom Levitt  82 14 Dean Wright Connor Saunders 15 Alex Keaney   16           Peacehaven Man Of The Match Matt Hill