Highams Park 3-4 Eastside Athletic
One of the games of the season — Jack Hobbs seals it with almost the last kick.
Eastside Athletic edged a thriller away at Highams Park, winning 4-3 in what might be one of the most entertaining games you’ll see at any level.
Travelling squad: Lewis Kinnie (GK), Alfie Stacey, Bailey Hossack, Prince Bansende, Owen Oakford, Alfie Mason (C), Prince Daniels, Danny Fenn, Logan Hossack, Jack Hobbs, Kai O’Hare, Bruno Da Fonseca, Bobby Goodall, Corey Sears, Jude Mitchell, Billy Longford.
Key men Kai O’Hare and Prince Daniels both returned from injury for this one, and it didn’t take long to get going. Danny Fenn won an early penalty and converted it himself to make it 0-1 — his third goal of the season in just four games, and the standout performer of the campaign so far.
A familiar story followed, as set pieces undid Eastside once again, a foul deep in their own half finding its way through to a tap-in at the back post. The tennis match continued soon after — Kai O’Hare, on his return, went on an incredible run out wide and squared it for Logan Hossack to tap home on the eve of his 18th birthday, making it 2-1. Shock horror, another set piece then levelled things — a long throw wonderfully touched down and powered into the top corner. Highams Park 2-2 Eastside Athletic at the break.
Both sides came out flying after half-time, with chances at either end. Kai O’Hare had a beautiful finish ruled out for offside, Danny Fenn’s looping cross drifted just over the bar, Prince Daniels tried a spectacular overhead kick, and Owen Oakford fired narrowly wide. Highams Park weren’t short of chances either, forcing two excellent saves from Lewis Kinnie, a corner cleared off the line, and hitting both post and crossbar — still 2-2.
Eastside’s set-piece luck finally turned. Danny Fenn floated a ball over from the halfway line in behind the defence, beautifully controlled by Kai O’Hare, who finished calmly to make it 2-3. Highams Park responded in the final 15 minutes, their striker completing his hat-trick from a defensive mix-up to make it 3-3.
With both sides looking set to settle for a point apiece, on came Jack Hobbs for the last quarter of an hour — and with almost the final kick of the game, he capitalised on a Kai O’Hare cross that deflected off the Highams Park defender, slotting it into the bottom corner to seal all three points.
The win leaves Eastside sat 2nd in the table after four games played (2 wins, 2 losses).
Man of the Match: Danny Fenn (1 goal, 1 assist)
Up next: United Amateurs (H) in the 1st Round of the Endeavour Cup.
PRIDE OF THE EAST.