Di Paola signs off from East Preston with a win

EP remained unbeaten in County League Division 1 with the win and closed the gap on leaders Littlehampton to just two points.

Evan Archibald, who is dual-signed with Peacehaven, gave East Preston the lead on 25 minutes from Anthony Hibbert’s pass.

EP missed other chances to go into half-time with a more substantial lead and were made to pay when Eastbourne United equalised five minutes into the second half

Marc Pullan fouled a United player in the penalty area and Wes Tate scored from the penalty spot to draw his side level.

East Preston responded well and went back ahead seven minutes later when Archibald stooped to head home Adam Hunt’s low cross.

Charlie Farmer added a third with 11 minutes remaining when he fired the ball home after a corner had ricocheted around in the penalty area.

EP finished the game with ten men as substitute Grant Thetford was sent off for foul and abusive language with a minute to go.

Di Paola said: “We played some really nice football in the first half but maybe we were too nice on the boys at half-time as they took their foot off the pedal at the start of the second half.

“They got back in it with the penalty but we got our act together and it was pretty comfortable in the end.”

EAST PRESTON: Collick; Hunt, Pullan, Farmer, Lewis; Shelley, Keehan, Hibbert, Boswell; Archibald, Herbert. Subs: Charles (Lewis 40), Lockyer (Herbert 80), Thetford (Hunt 81), Boddy.