After more than FIVE MONTHS since their last SCWGFL fixture, the Hillians finally returned to league action on Sunday under wonderful clear blue autumn skies at the MTC.

The hosts could have been forgiven for starting slowly in their first ever game in Sussex’s Premier Division, but began well with the lively Lottie Cheverton hitting the side netting early on. Eastbourne however, provided threats of their own and called Herridge into action on multiple occasions in the opening exchanges.

After riding out some nervy moments- Hill struck first. A sweeping move from back to front resulted in Brogan Kirk picking out the tenacious Katie Smyth who arrowed in a well-hit strike off the post to grab her first ever goal in green. Just 5 minutes later, Hill’s lightning speed in attacking areas was on show once more when Ellis Livingstone’s direct ball was latched onto by Lottie Cheverton. The striker kept her composure brilliantly to lob the Eastbourne keeper- adding another new name to the Hillians scoring stats book and doubling the lead. HT 2-0.

The second half began with the visitors, naturally, fired up and with intensity in their pressing. Hill were unfazed, maintaining their possession based style and finding the gaps. Perhaps the highest-quality moment of the game came when Heidi Bryant showed intelligence beyond her years to put her foot on the ball, slow the game down and play an exquisite pass with the outside of her boot to Cheverton, who made it a brilliant brace lashing past the keeper to make it 3-0.

Eastbourne- to their credit, refused to go away quietly and cut into the lead with a brilliant lob that proved to be just beyond the reach of Evie Herridge (who was sensational all afternoon). It set up a potentially nervy ending as the away side smelled blood and piled on the pressure. Tom Clingo rang changes, including bringing on another debutant in Jacey McNaboe. The forward, originally deployed on the right wing, showed her skill getting the better of the Eastbourne full back to deliver a right footed cross which was flicked in the direction of Kirk, who judged the flight of the ball beautifully to guide home a left-footed volley and seal a brilliant 3 points for the hosts. FT 4-1.

Following the game, manager Tom Clingo was asked how he felt about picking up all 3 points and the team’s overall performance:

“We’re delighted overall if I’m honest, it’s a really big sense of satisfaction- not just the win but also the performance which I thought was of a really high level.

Credit has to go to Eastbourne. They’re a really good side and I think that game was a great advert for our league as a whole. It’s felt like a long wait to get to our first league fixture so it’s felt like a long time coming that result.

I loved how we played, how we reacted to moments of adversity because I think that’s what this league will be all about- reacting to tough moments in games and throughout the season. We want to be mentality monsters. I love how the new ones in the group have brought into everything we’re trying to do here, I am so happy with everything today.”