Given the biblical downpour of the previous night, Hill players and supporters alike could have been forgotten for expecting swamp like conditions upon their arrival at Chalky Lane. Not the case however; with Mile Oak’s ground staff doing an exceptional job to not only produce a playable pitch, but an excellent footballing surface.

Hill showed intent from the off, the surface playing into their favour, with free-flowing, attacking football providing Woodingdean with little opportunity to exit their half.
Eventually the pressure told when Brogan Kirk tumbled in the box under a late challenge resulting in referee Chris MacInnis pointing to the spot. Ellie Livingstone stepped up, dispatching her penalty with venom into the bottom left corner to open the Hillians league account for the season. 0-1.
With Hill in control, the game changed on a cruel moment for youth graduate Leonie Heath who tangled with a Wanderers forward on the edge of the box leaving the referee little option but to produce a straight red card. The resulting free kick was saved brilliantly by Evie Herridge and Clingo rang the changes in an effort to protect the Hill advantage.
With a change in shape and a player down, Millie Morley made a huge impact from the bench. Stretching the Woodingdean back line repeatedly, her reward came just before half time, pouncing on a deflected shot to fire home brilliantly and double the lead.

The second half required a healthy mix of discipline, resilience and patience from the away side. The high press dropped in favour of a more cautious mid-block and counter attacking prioritised. Brogan Kirk latched onto a through-ball and lobbed the keeper to secure 3 points 15 minutes from time, as Hill reduced their opposition to just two attempts at goal in the second half. Full time, 0-3.

Manager Tom Clingo said after the game:
“I’m so pleased with our performance level, our build up and chance creation was superb until the red card and we fully deserved our lead.
After that it was all about our reaction and how well we could adapt to a difficult situation. Keeping a clean sheet with despite being a player down for 75 minutes is a really nice achievement and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort levels and the performance. It’s a wonderful feeling and a great day for us.
We can’t wait to get back home in front of a big crowd next weekend. Thanks so much to everyone who travelled down today!”