Chester-bout right Derek

NOW THEN, everyone take a deep breath and try to believe what you have just seen. Four goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half, and three in the last four, gave an already spicy cup-tie that extra edge on Saturday.

Defending for both sides appeared to be an optional extra, while goalscoring chances were treated like tube trains in the rush hour in that if you missed one another would be along any minute.

Littlehampton were still in the dressing room for the opening 15 minutes, and as a result found themselves deservedly 2-0 down, with former Bognor striker Neil Scammell involved in both.

His header onto the bar after two minutes was cleared up by Jason Mann as soon as it bounced. Then, 11 minutes later, a Perry Holland free-kick went across the box uncleared, and Scammell swept home with time to spare at the far post.

This proved to be Littlehampton s wake-up call and for the next 20 minutes they enjoyed almost total possession. They created five worthwhile chances in as many minutes, with each carrying various likelihoods of scoring.

Probably the best fell to Derek Chester, who was marginally too high with a header from a Jon Bennett free-kick.

The high-octane football being produced by Golds continued, and they gained their reward on 36 minutes. Stuart Sell played the ball inside to Chester, and his pass across the face of goal was met by James Thornton, sliding in at the far post.

The equaliser at 2-2 came on 43 minutes.

For the full report, see the Littlehampton Gazette, September 20.