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Late blow for Hillians
Another last-gasp goal robbed Hillians of precious points in an entertaining clash with Godalming on Saturday when the only pity it was the referee's performance that emerged as the main talking point.
Home boss Gary Croydon had an eyeball-to-eyeball exchange with Welling official Neil Baker in the opening minutes and the Godalming coach was dismissed from an equally irate visiting bench not long afterwards.
Croydon said afterwards: "I'm very disappointed. The referee had a very poor game today and both sides suffered. Everyone clearly saw a foul on Matt Piper before they scored their equaliser but the players should not have stopped. It's really cruel as that's about the third time we've conceded a late goal this season."
There was no doubt Hillians deserved victory against a Godalming side who arrived in third place but never got going against a home side who played some neat football once getting into their stride after about 15 minutes.
With John Lansdale in America, exciting young prospect Max Barnard was given a start and he impressed all afternoon with his excellent first touch and willingness to run at defenders.
It was Barnard who created the first chance and when Danny Curd's first touch was too heavy, Steve Harper stepped in the send a half volley ballooning over the bar.
Gradually Hillians slipped into top gear and were playing some excellent football, without being able to apply the finish. Danny Gainsford, Lloyd Cotton, Piper and Barnard all had efforts at goal before midway through the half another flowing move ended with Harper's angled drive rattling the crossbar and Lloyd Skinner putting the rebound wide.
Chances were coming in abundance up until half time and one sensed Hillians may have to pay for not taking any of them in a goalless first 45 minutes.
But though that proved the case eventually, things looked up when they scored less than three minutes into the second half. Godalming keeper Rodney Chiweshe could only paw away a Harper corner and when Barnard returned the ball back into the box, skipper Tom Edmonds scored with a near post header.
After that Hillians really should have put the game to bed. They had their chances, while at the other end the only moment of real concern came when Edmonds and Matt Hurley failed to deal with a long punt upfield and sub Richard Shittu was left unsuccessfully claiming a penalty after being bundled over.
Harper was having one of those frustrating days he would rather forget and even when he produced a stunning run to get clear, the final shot was deflected wide of the target.
That was at the start of stoppage time and four minutes had been played when Hillians conceded a corner which was not cleared before another visiting sub, Damian Matthews, turned the ball in to use his side's get-out-of-jail card where the monopoly had been with the hosts.
Football can be a cruel game but it provided entertaining viewing and it was only a pity Mr Baker gave such an inept performance in front of former Football League referee and top assessor Martin Bodenham.
Hillians: Adams; Piper, Edmonds, Hurley, Gainsford, Berry; Cotton, Harper, Skinner, Barnard; Curd. Subs: Avery, Hollick, Martin, Percival, Gannon.
Middy Starman: Skipper Edmonds had a finer second half and scored Hill'sa only goal but it goes to the exciting Max Barnard, who looks to have a bright future.
Bookings: Piper (BH, foul); Purdy, Paka & Sintim (Godalming, all verbal).
Attendance: 176.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
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