Connor Tighe netted a hat-trick in Peacehaven’s 4-1 thrashing over rivals Newhaven. Despite a slow start to the match, the visitors came out all guns blazing in the second half to keep their play-off hopes alive.
The Tye striker broke the deadlock moments before half-time with a thumping finish past Roman Chiosa, who had been substituted on after just 20 minutes, as first-choice goalkeeper Johnny Barnes-Galloway came off injured.
Drew Matthews started the move with a pass down the line to Lewis BeeBee. His cross towards the back post fell to Tighe, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
In the 76th minute, Tighe earned his second of the afternoon from a spectacular free-kick. Finley Agnihotri won a foul on the left side of the 18-yard box, and Tighe converted the free-kick superbly as his effort struck the post on the way in.
Four minutes later, Tighe had his hat-trick. Agnihotri was at the heart of the move again, feeding the ball into his teammate, who was subsequently fouled in the penalty area.
The referee pointed to the spot immediately, and Tighe made no mistake from 12 yards. He tucked his shot into the bottom right corner to put the game to bed.
BeeBee, who claimed the assist for Peacehaven’s first of the afternoon, also got his name on the scoresheet. Shortly after half-time, he doubled their advantage with a simple tap-in.
Ryan Blunt headed past James Broadbent in the 88th minute, but it was no more than a consolation goal in a game where the visitors well and truly dominated affairs.
The emphatic victory lifted the visitors to fifth place, while Newhaven dropped to eighth. Next up, the Newhaven are set to visit Roffey, as Peacehaven prepare to host Horsham YM.
Written by Isabelle Martin
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