Hollington United 1st – 1

Rye Town – 2

With the sun shining and a lunch time kick-off, designed to help the league with the fixture congestion, Scott and Andy’s first team arguably produced their worst performance of the season against a team who would take full advantage.

After a good start with Sam White, Sean Ray and Callum Smith all going close, it looked like it was just going to be a matter of time before they scored. But when Smith was adjudged offside straight from a goal kick when 1v1 with the keeper you could see what sort of day it was going to be.

Shortly after, Ray was taken off with what looked like a serious injury. With the game still nil-nil and Razor being replaced, this seemed to lift Rye Town.

The second half started and the Lions just didn’t get out of second gear and Rye looked a lot more likely to score and they did just that.

Within two minutes of trailing, Luke Woodley saw red for a second booking, which was Hollington’s first red card in two years. Even so the ten men equalised through Smith. Straight after, however, another lack of concentration allowed Rye to score again and win the game 2-1.

A game to forget for the Lions, who lost for the first time in a year, but taking nothing away from Rye who have given Hollington four honest games this season, and have been a great addition to the ESFL, so our best wishes go with them in to the final.

The Lions now have to pick themselves up for another semi final away to Battle on Wednesday, and then try and go on to clinch the league.

Martin and Bowles Man of the Match was Ricky Martin.

Hollington United 2nd – 2

Icklesham – 0

With Kev’s trusty sidekick otherwise engaged in the cafe, Shawsy stood alongside him on the touchline for the second team clash against Icklesham, with the Lions hoping to gain revenge for two earlier defeats in the season to this team. They were also trying to keep alive their slim hopes of winning division two.

Again fielding several players from the youth sides, the Lions took the game to Icklesham and Jan Bailey notched the first goal after 30 minutes.

With old Bulldog Hollands playing out of position at centre back, marshalling the back four, Icklesham were restricted to very few chances, and half way through the second half Bailey added to his tally to put the game further beyond the opposition.

And that was how it stayed, meaning the Lions still have an outside chance of winning division two.

Dynamic Scaffolding Man of the Match was Jan Bailey.

First match Hollington United U18s – 1     Dorking – 1

Second match Hollington United U18s – 0     Dorking – 4

No game for the U21s or the U16s at the weekend but the U18s had a home double-header against top of the table Dorking.

The Lions drew the first game 1-1, but lost the 2nd one 4-0.

There were two red cards in each of the games so for the young Lions it meant was always going to be hard. However, one would question why a referee from Dorking was appointed?

The cost in travelling expenses alone made it a very expensive game to host – surely a local referee would have been more cost effective?

That’s it for the weekend’s games but we have two semi finals on Wednesdays. The 1st team is away to Battle Baptists at Battle Recreartion Ground in the Hastings Intermediate Cup, and the 2nds are away to West Hill Utd at William Parker School in the Robertsbridge Junior Cup with both matches kicking off at 6.30pm. Feel free to come along and support the Lions