First-half super-show earns SCFL win for Little Common - Eldridge hails timely win

Pagham 1 Little Common 4

SCFL premier

Little Common returned to action with a 4-1 victory at Pagham thanks to a dominant first half display in which all the goals were scored.

On a difficult surface Common made the perfect start taking the lead after just six minutes when the hosts were also reduced to ten men after the impressive Jack McLean was pulled back in the area when through on goal.

Sam Cruttwell dispatched the resultant penalty leaving the hosts with a long afternoon ahead of them. Common doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when a splendid move saw McLean slot the ball into the path of Lewis Hole whose shot across the keeper found the bottom corner of the net.

Hole added his second and Common's third just a minute later follwing some neat footwork in the area before slotting the ball into the corner of the net.

At the other end, Common keeper Tommy Sceal was called into action to keep out a goal bound effort but it was Common who were to score next, all but sealing the game when Jamie Bunn pounced on a defensive error before rounding the keeper and slotting into a empty net.

The hosts did give themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time reducing the deficit following a lapse in the Common defence. Common began the second half in the ascendancy and almost extended their lead from a corner but the ball was scrambled to safety.

McLean saw an effort saved at the near post as did Jack Thoms. Pagham should have added a second but saw a chance blazed over at the far post. Common managed the game well and the hosts rarely threatended apart from a late flurry of corners which saw an effort headed over the bar.

Little Common are 13th, Pagham 12th. Common host AFC Uckfield on Saturday, when Pagham go to Hassocks.

Common manager Russell Eldridge said: “It was good to return to action with a win off the back of a couple defeats in which the performances have been okay.

"We had the perfect start after five minutes going ahead and them being reduced to 10 men. The surface was difficult but we managed to control the game as they worked hard throughout and we scored the goals at the right time.

"We were disappointed to concede on half-time but were professional in our display in the second half and ensured we were able to win the game and take home the three points.

"We move in a busy period of eight games in a four-week spell including a cup quarter final. We have the quality in the group but just need to find that consistency to ensure we pick up as many points as possible.”

Bexhill had Jack Shonk to thank for a double that helped them to a 3-3 draw at home to Midhurst. Charlie Playford got the other.

The Pirates visit Crowborough tomorrow.

Forest Row 1 Worthing United 5

SCFL Division 1

With the hosts having not played since before Christmas, the Mavericks took full advantage – putting four past them without reply in dominant first half display.

Goals from Marcus Puddephatt, Dan Hills (2) and beautifully curled free kick courtesy of Danny Kingston did the damage.

Forest Row came out strongly after the break with a fine long range strike for Downer giving them a lifeline. Indeed some good goalkeeping was then required at times to avoid them getting a second.

But as the half went on and the substitutions came the likelihood of an unlikely comeback diminished. Indeed, it was the Mavericks who got the final goal of the game deep into stoppage time courtesy of a sublime chip from Kingston.

The result moves the Mavericks up to third place in the league table as they now prepare for the visit of Alfold to Lyons Way on Saturday.