The Rebels were the last of the ten teams in the Isthmian Youth League South Division to get their campaign underway as they welcomed Hastings United to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium. The U’s won at home to Bognor Regis in their opening game of the campaign.

Just like in last week’s FA Youth Cup match at Colliers Wood, the Rebels fell behind early, leaving themselves with work to do to get back into the contest. It was a bit of individual brilliance from the Hastings no.11 who beat three Rebels defenders before tucking away the finish. Less than ten minutes later, Jack Downie intervened, making a vital clearance to prevent the U’s from doubling their advantage.

Then, the Rebels began to find their rhythm, Ollie Vodden who was a source of all things good all night floated a cross into Arthur Gregory who couldn’t quite find the target with his volley on 20 minutes. But, after a long spell on top, the Reds got their reward ten minutes later when Liam Hill found some space in the box to unleash a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner to get back on terms.

Vodden again threatened on the right flank some five minutes before half time. He opted for a low cross this time that caused all sorts of problems for the Hastings back line who couldn’t clear and it then fell to Archie Stairs who hammered home from close range. Moments later, they came so close to a third to have a comfortable advantage into the break. Vodden won the ball back high up the pitch and laid it to Edward Jimenez whose shot was blocked straight back into the path of Vodden. He struck it first time but it went narrowly wide of the far post and the score remained at 2-1 going into the break.

After the interval, the Rebels appeared to be really enjoying their football, linking up with nice sequences and knocking the ball around with relative ease. They were denied a third by a quite brilliant save just five minutes into the half as Jimenez curled one towards the far post from the left edge of the area. The U’s keeper managed to push it onto the post to keep it out! Ten minutes later, he was at it again to prevent Eiri Keskinis. Keskinis produced a great piece of skill to beat his man before driving in and firing at goal from close range, but the keeper was equal to it.

Arthur Gregory was next to threaten as he was played in behind the Hastings defence. The keeper rushed out to meet him but was caught in no man’s land as Gregory looked to lob it over him, but his effort was just wide and hit the side netting. But, their relentless pressure told and they got their third on 67 minutes. Keskinis and Vodden linked up with a quite unorthodox one-two to find the breakthrough. Keskinis switched play to the wide right to Vodden who took his time before picking out Keskinis’ run with his cross and Keskinis headed home to all but secure the three points.

The pair linked up again ten minutes later, but Keskinis turned provider on this occasion, pinching the ball back while pressing high. He slotted in Vodden who couldn’t quite find the target. Before the full time whistle, Archie Short was called into action to deny a free-kick from the edge of the area and the first league win in the first league match was complete.

Next up for the U18s is an FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying match at home to Whitehawk next Tuesday.