With key players (Tim Pilbeam, Brock Smith & Aston Spinks) missing from the previous week, Saxons had Dan Bontoft deputising in goal and handed a 2nd XI debut to Tom Waters.

In their red change-strip, Saxons started the game brightly and probably had the better of what was a hard-fought opening 25 minutes, a guilt-edged opportunity went begging when a good move between Tom James & skipper James Bunday almost paid off when the latter squared the ball just out of reach for Ed Hooton and agonisingly close to a tap in.
The Hastings side continued to push forward however, and a break away move saw Ben Simmons collect the ball on the top of the circle, and the youngster made no mistake, coolly rounding the sprawling keeper, before slotting the ball home with the reverse stick.

Despite Saxons breaking the deadlock, the game showed no real signs of opening up and before long Brighton had regained parity, a swift breakaway after a Saxons short corner left numbers over for the home side and Bontoft in goal was helpless from close range.
After the break, Saxons dug deep to get on top of the game and despite two very harsh cards resulting in 2 minutes & 5 minutes on the side for Tom Gregory & Phil Carrington respectively, Saxons always looked like the better of the two sides.

Penalty corners were spurned by Saxons and with other good chances not quite falling to red sticks, it was starting to look like a frustrating away day. Good energy from Nick Taylor and Waters on the flanks was causing problems and the creativity in midfield of Gregory, Dom Ford & James Wilson looked like unlocking the defence, but in the end Saxons pressure told when another quick break saw Hooton collect the ball and drive down the left before squaring the ball to Simmons for his second of the game.

After reclaiming the lead Saxons defended well, working hard for each other. Bontoft in goal was exemplary whenever called upon and tireless tacking from Ford, Taylor, Carrington, Matt Stevens & Man of the Match Waters helped keep Brighton at bay for the final onslaught.

This was a hard-fought, very well-deserved 3 points for Saxons who can take great heart from their determination to turn a frustrating draw into a terrific win, one which sees them stay level on points with league leaders Worthing 2s – who travel to Hastings this week for what promises to be a terrific encounter at Horntye Park.”