Sussex County League Division One

Redhill 1

Eastbourne United 0

REDHILL completed their most successful season for 12 years in Division One with a narrow win over Eastbourne.

A first half goal from top scorer Marcus Elliott was enough to seal the point for the home team, although two fantastic saves by keeper Chris May were required to maintain the clean sheet.

The Lobsters finished the season in fifth place, their best finish since the 1997/98 season, however manager Marcus Alcindor believes they will improve on that next season.

"Next season started today for us. The committee are behind us and our aim is to win the league. That's the only option," he explained.

"We are starting by winning games and sorting out our discipline. We thought we were getting picked on by refs, but all teams think that. We go into games thinking we're underdogs, but we're not, we're winners.

"Today we conceded none, we scored one and didn't get a booking; it's the start of things to come. ."

The Reds have set out plans for next season already, with a pre-season tour of Scotland on the cards.

"It gets everyone together; a bit of solidarity. Playing away from people who know us; playing a different beast," Alcindor said.

"We're starting our pre-season early because their are few players who have expressed a wish to join Redhill and we want to get them in here before any other clubs get them."

Eastbourne started the match the brighter with a chance falling to Lee Jules, before Brad Manton tried to lob May after a great ball from midfield; however the keeper was saved by a late offside whistle.

On 16 minutes Redhill made a rare shot on target count when after a cross by Tyron Sealey, Elliott struck the ball neatly past keeper Nick Maynard.

Eastbourne had a great chance when Simon Stevens put through Steve Dalloway, but the United player could only find the side netting.

Just before half-time, Eastbourne should have equaliser after a scramble in the box, but no-one got the decisive strike on target.

On 70 minutes Chris Hubbard played a neat pass to Daniel Morris, but the striker shot was deflected wide by Josh Bonnet.

Minutes later Hubbard and Darrell Ditchburn combined well in midfield, before Hubbard's shot was saved.

May pulled off the first of two good saves after Shane Saunders beat defender Charlie Stagg for pace; the keeper tipping the shot wide.

With minutes to play, Sealey should have sealed the result, but one-on-one with the keeper, the forward put the ball wide.

With the last action of the half, May pulled off another great save after Tom Morton's free-kick, heading for the top left corner, was acrobatically tipped over the cross bar.