The reverse fixture, which was Saxons first of the season, was a narrow 4-3 victory to the Kent side, although two late goals embellished the score line for Saxons.

However, spurred on after last weeks confidence boosting performance in the County Cup Semifinal, Saxons looked to implement a game plan which gave them all three points in their last home league fixture against Kings & Alleyns. Horntye Park has become such a fortress for Saxons over the years and this season only high flyers Brighton and Hove have taken points off the Hastings side there, so there was a real sense of optimism the home side could defeat Old Willies.

The early exchanges saw both teams sizing each other up, with Saxons tactically looking to limit the space for any searching passes forward. Due to Old Willies formation the resolute central defensive pairing of Toby Reed and Gavin Cload both had to mark a forward, a task they managed with aplomb, only the aerial threat providing a nuisance.

At the opposite end Old Willis did look nervous at the back and Saxons capitalized on this intercepting some poor passes from their full backs. Andrew Orr, back in the side after impressing in the cup game was deployed in the forward line and his movement and link up play with Alex Coombs, Andrew Acott and Oli Beal caused their defense numerous problems early on.

These attacks soon won Saxons a few short corners thanks to the efforts of Busbridge and Coombs, but the teams ability to be clinical from set pieces was found wanting. Agonisingly, it was Old Willies who broke the deadlock after Saxons conceded the ball on the left. Their counter attack was worked swiftly to the byline before the ball was cut back and crossed to the far post leaving their unmarked forward a simple tap in.

Moments later Saxons almost replied when a superb aerial into the D from Coombs found Beal with just the keeper to beat, but between him and the supporting Jamie Busbridge they could not take the chance.

It seemed it would take a moment of individual brilliance to get Saxons on the scoresheet and Acott soon got the crowd on their feet. After a skillful run he hit a crisp reverse stick shot into the far corner to deservedly level the scores.

Full backs Danny Burnett and Chris Meredith stuck well to the game plan and looked more assured and selective in their distribution. Burnett looked to aid the attacks down the right and Meredith produced the pass of the match from his left back role, finding Busbridge unmarked from about 60yards away, only for his first touch to let him down keeping the score 1-1 at the break.

Early into the second half Old Willies took the lead again after Saxons gave away a cheap short corner. The drag flick was saved by Brock Smith but their forward reacted quickest to tuck the rebound away from close range.

This seemed to galvanize Old Willies and they took full advantage of their next set piece by doubling their lead following an acutely dispatched short corner.

This deficit did not alter Saxons determination as they kept their heads up and continued creating chances. Most notably a breakaway down the left involving Nick Taylor and Coombs found Acott who drove into the D and squared for Busbridge but his shot was deflected inches over the bar by the covering defender.

Looking to keep the pressure on Paddy Cornish expertly turned away from his man on the 25 and drove towards the D only to see his pass not connect with a Saxons stick and roll past the far post. And moments later a quickly taken free hit from Jon Meredith was lofted across the D into the path of Acott but his early shot was struck off target.

Soon the pressure did tell and Saxons doubled their tally mid-way through the second half. After another foul on Coombs the free hit was swiftly taken by Man of the Match Acott finding Busbridge in the D who turned and picked out Beal to finish at the far post.

With about 10 minutes to go the battle in midfield was beginning to heat up as both sides looked for more goals. Notably Saxons midfielder Jon Meredith put in a stalwart performance breaking down play and rarely conceding possession and the versatile Nick Taylor is showing week on week his growing influence within the team.

The final moments of the game saw a few tempers rise as late challenges on Acott and Coombs again went unpunished, leaving Saxons to battle out the final minutes with no numerical advantage. A final short corner attempt by Beal flicked into the body of an opposition player was looking on target but the umpire deemed the shot had gone wide, and with that chance so did all hopes of Saxons picking up any points.

Saxons continue their Kent/Sussex Division 2 league campaign next week in an away fixture against Canterbury Pilgrims.