The Hope Inn came up with the perfect response to their disappointing performance against Fulchester United – who ended their impressive undefeated run, with an extremely rare victory against old rivals Eastry.
For once the Hope Inn were quick out the blocks and enjoyed good spells of possession early in the game. They took the lead after about 10 minutes through Dave Fielding – who despite suffering from a severe “man-cold”- his instinct in front of goal was still razor sharp as he fired a low shot past the Eastry keeper.
Unfortunately the Hope’s lead didn’t last long as Eastry made an instant reply catching the Hope Inn still napping after taking the lead. However this was only to be a blip in the home side’s outstanding first half performance. Jae Donnelly soon put the Hope back in the driving seat with a superb strike from 30 yards that flew into the top of Eastry net (as shown in the video footage captured by our very own webmaster Mike Mcfarnell). Dave Fielding then extended the lead with another close range finish following a teasing ball into the box from John Muir.
After half time the Hope Inn knew that the next goal in match could be decisive. Eastry upped their performance in the second half, although the Hope did contain them to only couple of clear cut chances. However Eastry’s persistence soon paid off as Paul Roberts finished off a well worked move, slotting the ball past the Hope Inn keeper.
The Hope, not for the first time, then found themselves hanging on to a lead in a game that they should have killed off in the first half. Despite the away side’s pressure the Hope’s forward Gavin ‘(nearly a) goal a game’ Oakley came close to putting the game out of reach – only to be denied by a stretching Eastry keeper.
This time though the Hope did manage to hang on to their lead and seal a historic victory over Eastry.
Deadly Davey Seals Historic Hope Victory
12/3/06 Hope Inn 3 - Eastry 2
Dave Fielding 2 Paul Roberts
Jae Donnelly Rory
