08 April 2017 @ East Grinstead HC
| PB 12:00 - Playoff | ||||
| Folkestone 2 Jamie Miller-Hastings 7m fg, Ben Allon 15m fg |
2 - 1 (2 - 0) | Brighton & Hove 3 Simon Acott 38m pc | ||
Report by Barry Holmes, Sussex Representative to SHL
The Kent/Sussex play-off was completed at East Grinstead Hockey Club, with Brighton 3s taking on Folkestone 2s.
Folkestone got off to a flyer and took the lead with two goals within 15 minutes, putting the pressure on Brighton through the first half. However, Brighton set off quickest in the second half, getting back one goal and taking the game to Folkestone throughout the 35 minutes.
Unfortunately, while pressure led to close shots and short corners, it did not lead to the crucial goal and so Folkestone ran out worthy winners 2 – 1.
My commiserations to Brighton who had a tremendous season and just failed to get the promotion they deserved. However, they were great representatives of Sussex today, and I am sure they would have run out winners if there had been another five minutes.
Folkestone 2: Craig Hopkins (GK), Joe Tolhurst, Ali Walls, James Whybrow, Scott Minster, Stuart Green, Matt Banks, Ames Bell, Jamie Miller-Hastings, Will Mead, Ben Allon (Capt), Frankie Miller-Hastings, Simon Thompson, Chris Slade, Conal Blackwell (Reserve GK).
Brighton & Hove 3: Stevie Doolan (GK), Richard Willmott, Paul Ripsher, Neel Sharma, Dermot Cameron, Luke Cain-Williams, Simon Acott, Chris Page, Matt Streeter, Jon Weir, John Child, Ed Bending (Capt), Jamie Hendrick, Tom Thornton.M.
My thanks to Ian Anguige and Paul Shackman (Technical Director) for their organisation of the game.