FOOTBALL: Arundel's win ensures safety

ARUNDEL Football Club sealed their County League Division 1 survival on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 win at Mill Road over Hailsham.

A run of poor results had seen Mullets slip down the table since Christmas and, although they had never fallen as low as the bottom three, they were always aware of their precarious position.

But goals from Scott Tipper and Rory Biggs on Tuesday, all but condemned Hailsham to a bottom-three finish, while Crowborough's 1-0 defeat against Shoreham meant they could no longer overtake Arundel.

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Mullets assistant manager Jim Quigg said: "It was a close game and really we made things a lot harder than they should have been.

"It's great to get the win we wanted and needed to seal survival.

"Mile Oak were already down, Crowborough lost and with us beating Hailsham, it means neither can catch our 42 points.

"So, in that respect, it was a very good result although it was a bit nervy at times. We've made hard work of games this season and been losing games when we've been in front at times.

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"But since the win against Crawley last week, we've been on a superb little run. We can now relax and enjoy our last couple of games."

With Arundel boss Richard Towers unavailable, Quigg had been in charge for the past two games, and Mullets had three or four opportunities to open the scoring early on.

They found an in-form Hailsham goalkeeper, however, who did well to hold a couple of efforts on a hard surface.

But Tipper crashed home the opener on 37 minutes after a well-worked move.

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A ball from the back was played down the right to Russell Hardwell, who crossed home for Tipper to get on the end of.

Hailsham then equalised from a long-range effort, which sailed past Mullets goalkeeper Rhys Griffiths, who was off his line.

The match became very bitty after the break and it took a fine goal from Rory Biggs to settle things on 70 minutes. He broke forward and played a one-two with brother Josh, before hammering home.

Griffins then saved all three points with a fine one-handed diving save, which allowed Arundel to clear their lines.

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Quigg added: "It was a great first goal for Rory, who thoroughly deserved it as he has been doing really well for us."

Arundel had all but secured their survival on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Three Bridges.

Mullets fell 1-0 behind in the fifth minute but Tipper got them back on level terms on 15 minutes.

The lively Hardwell then went close, before his deflected cross went in off a Bridges defender on 70 minutes.

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Tipper grabbed his second 10 minutes from time to make the points safe.

Mullets travel to Crawley Down on Saturday, before they entertain Whitehawk on Monday.

ARUNDEL v Hailsham: Griffiths; Pickfordm Walker, Grove, Hall; Hardwell, R.Biggs, J.Biggs, Axell; Tipper, Norgate. Subs: Sneller (Hall 75), Tewsley (Norgate 80).

v Three Bridges: Griffiths; R.Biggs, Hall, Pickford, Walker; Hardwell, Grove, Axell, J.Biggs; Tewsley, Tipper. Subs: Herbert (Tewsley 87).

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