VIDEO: Hill keep their heads in lion’s den

East Grinstead were favourites but Hill grew in confidence as the game went on and Charlotte Childs held up the ball well to turn defence into attack.

Hill goalkeeper Harriet Dakin was in superb form and was ably assisted by the defence of Sarah Corney, Katie Allison, Wendy Howell and captain Georgia Aloof.

The longer the game went on the more EG’s frustration mounted and that played into the hand of the visitors, who took a prized point to consolidate their mid-table placing.

Horsham 5ths sent a strong team to the Triangle but Hill’s 2nds showed what they are made of by sealing an excellent team victory.

The 3-0 success featured some lightning raids and that was epitomised by Lucie Venables, who notched the opening goal.

Short corners came thick and fast and the pressure finally told just before half time when captain Sam Crichton set up a first goal of the season for Lucy Deacon.

It was much the same story after the break and the third goal came just five minutes in when another swift break by Venables finished with her finding Natalie Watt, who was lurking with menace around the penalty spot.

The Hill defence of Romy Threadgold, Tracey Payne and Ginette Read gave goalkeeper Kirstie Wright such solid protection that she touched the ball only once all game.

Two late goals sent the 3rds to a 3-1 defeat away to East Grinstead 3rds. Hill had drawn first blood in appalling weather that lasted the whole of the first half. Captain Wendy Caddye, Rebecca Chee and Ciara Branagan, who controlled midfield throughout, were all involved before Lucy Matthews got the final touch.

EG soon rallied and despite great work from backs Chris McLclellan and Jodie Gower, an equaliser came before half time and then those late goals were scant reward for some unbelievable saves by Avni Vadgama.

The 4ths beat Penguins 2nds 2-1 in a friendly. the opposition were bolstered by a few first teamers and some Hill players. In an evenly contest match, Kirsten Griffiths fired Hill ahead but Penguins equalised before half time. In a second-half hailstorm, Laura Hastings slotted in the winner.

In the Girls Development League, Hill Ambers included some 11-year-olds playing their first game and despite battling all the way, they were no match for an older and more experience Horsham side who ran out 10-0 winners.

Gaolkeeper Kennedy made some great saves and player-of-the-match was defender Kaitlyn Slater Barnes

Newcomers Sophie Binns and Olivia Gunn showed their potential, while Amy Gallehawk and Hannah Smith worked tirelessly in defence.

St Francis 1st team slipped to a 2-5 defeat at the hands of Crowborough 1sts but the 2nds and 4ths each hit four goals in comfortable wins.

With several players unavailable and others carrying injuries, the 1sts worked hard and led by a Chris Batchelor goal until just before half time.

After the break they started to dominate but failed to turn that into goals and fell 1-3 behind before MoM Tom Tyers combined with Oli Keating to pull one back.

A great individual goal then immediately knocked the heart out of them despite the work rate remaining high.

The 2nds beat Littlehampton 1sts 4-0 thanks to goals by Eric Rimmer (only his second of the season), Ciaran Fitzgerald and Steve Kent (2). MoM was Richard Johnson.

The 4ths beat Eastbourne 5ths 4-1 in an alround team performance . Tyrone Stoner opened the scoring and then the ageing but effective Gregory Lindfield helped force an own goal: The second-half goals came from James Peel and Stoner.

Mid Sussex Men’s 2nds came from 2-0 down at half time to draw 2-2 with Lewes 3rds. Lewes scored two in the first half on counter attacks, but a short corner own goal and a Dovey strike after the break left it all square.