FOOTBALL: EP return to league action with a win

AFTER nine successive cup matches, East Preston Football Club played their first league game since August on Tuesday evening and defeated Storrington 2-1.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Oct 2009, 16:14 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:09 BST

EP created numerous chances during the game and Jay Huet had twice been denied by Swans keeper Nick Taylor and had hit the underside of the bar before he netted the opener on 44 minutes.

Ian Saunders headed on Asa Nicholson's corner and Huet fired the ball home.

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Terry Dodd, who also had efforts saved by Taylor in either half, doubled the lead on 72 minutes from Mark Burgess' pass.

Liam Humphreys pulled a goal back for Storrington with 10 minutes left but EP held on.

EP manager Trevor Waller said: "I was pleased with the result and the performance but we should have won by more with the amount of chances we had, although their keeper made some good saves.

"We had quite a few players out but everyone who came in did well. Mark Burgess, who made his first start after joining from Littlehampton, did well in midfield and Matt Dodd, who's just 16, did well and is going to be a good player for us.

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"There were a lot of positives to come out of the game, and we've now got a run of league games, so will look to make up some ground and get ourselves in a decent position."

EP exited the John O'Hara Cup at the hands of Division 1 side St Francis on Saturday, and Waller said: "We were poor, although the pitch certainly didn't help. The game itself was far from a classic and the goals we conceded were sloppy.

"On the positive side, Matt Dodd played very well for us but otherwise it was disappointing."

Nathan Da Costa had an effort saved and EP had a penalty appeal turned down for a challenge on Terry Dodd in the first half.

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Saunders' deflected free kick put EP ahead in the 48th minute before Russell Harris drew St Francis level on 56 minutes.

Four minutes later, Rangers got the deciding goal when Jamie Weston netted.

EAST PRESTON v Storrington: Williamson; Saunders, M.Dodd, Windsor, N.Da Costa, Nicholson; Burgess, Campbell, Reilly; T.Dodd, Huet. Subs: L.Da Costa (Nicholson 65), Hammond (M.Dodd 75), Bernard (Burgess 80).

v St Francis: Williamson; N.Da Costa, Windsor, Saunders, M.Dodd; Nicholson, Reilly, Campbell, Darwin; Budge, T.Dodd. Subs: Burgess (Budge 65), James (Darwin 70), L. Da Costa (N.Da Costa 75).

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