Sussex County League Division One

Redhill 2

Mile Oak 1

MARCUS Alcindor said he wanted to get the Lobsters back to enjoying their football, and after an injury crisis forced the manager into making his Reds debut, he definitely got a few laughs.

Two first half goals secured the win for the Reds, but after injuries to John Difford and Calvin Headley, and a lack of players on the bench, Alcindor had to make the appearance he had been threatening all season.

"I enjoyed it to be honest," Alcindor admitted.

"I said to the boys that we have been talking about promotion all season and there has been a lot of pressure on every game, so we need to start enjoying it again.

"I remember being eight years old and people coming knocking on my door with a ball under their arm asking if I could come out to play. That's why we play football; because of the love for the game. So although that was an ugly game, it was probably one of the most enjoyable game we've have because everybody mucked in."

Alcindor admits that he was pleased to come away with the points despite being let down by substitutes.

"It wouldn't have been so funny if we lost, but the facts are we won the game," he said.

"Dean Forbes was meant to be here tonight because we knew Difford was a bit dodgy. I rested Lee Radford because we had Forbesy as cover for the back and Christian Howe was coming up from the reserves as attacking cover. Chris Hubbard was going to be on the bench, and with the two other players coming in it was going to be okay. But, they won't be playing for the first team again this season."

Mile Oak got off to a lively start and tested Chris May in the Redhill goal early on.

The Reds had their share of attacks and, minutes after missing one, on 11 minutes Marcus Elliot put Redhill ahead after good work by Asher Hudson.

Mile Oak did not sit back and both May and Charlie Stagg were called upon to make clearances after shots from Graham Martin.

On 20 minutes Redhill added a second when after a corner, Ali Kyezu headed the ball back in for Daniel Morris to rocket past defence and keeper.

Redhill looked like they might add more, but just after the half hour Liam Austin-Stade found himself one-on-one with May, but the striker could only strike it straight at the Reds' stopper.

On the stroke of half-time Martin pulled one back for Oak with a goal out of nowhere.

Kyle Morgan came on for Darryl Ditchburn at half-time, but minutes after the re-start Difford was forced off to be replaced with Chris Hubbard, forcing a reshuffle.

Redhill really missed the presence of Difford in defence, and only looked assured when the ball was at the other end.

On 66 minutes it looked like Tyron Sealey might get a shot away, but the Oak defence got tired of his 'twinkle toes' step-overs.

With 15 minutes left, Headley was forced off after a nasty tackle, and with only one substitute available, manager Alcindor came on for his debut wearing the number 15 shirt.

Within minutes of being on the field he carried off a 'do as I do, not as I say' routine, when he petulantly kick the Oak midfielder guilty of a strong challenge on Hudson and received a yellow card for his crimes.

Redhill looked shaky and it was only Stagg and May's last ditch defending that saved the side from losing embarrassing points.