Arundel hit back against United after heavy defeat

The match on Tuesday was the proverbial game of two halves, with the first half being an essentially forgettable affair and the second producing five goals and an end to United’s six-game unbeaten run.

The first half was low on chances, apart from a terrific double save from James Fernandes in the Arundel goal on 32 minutes to firstly deny Liam Baitup with his legs, before flying high to his left to tip an Alex Thompson header past the post.

Arundel got the breakthrough two minutes before the break when Roy Pook, while trying to retrieve a ball he had initially given away, gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and the impressive Russell Hardwell tucked the set-piece inside Kieron Gillard’s right-hand post.

The second half started brightly for the hosts and they levelled on 53 minutes as Sam Schaaf’s shot deflected to Baitup, who could not fail to miss from a yard with Fernandes wrong-footed.

The Mavericks were the architects of their own downfall, however, as a hopeful long ball found Hardwell, who did well not to go down under pressure in the penalty area from Pook, and although his first effort was saved by Gillard’s legs, the second was more emphatic on 66 minutes.

Just three minutes later, Joe Haffenden gifted Hardwell the ball with an attempted back pass and despite Gillard saving the Mullets striker’s initial effort, the ball rebounded to Rory Biggs, who drilled home from six yards.

Arundel made sure of all three points in the 72nd minute when Luis Freitas impeded Scott Tipper, and the frontman himself smashed home the resultant penalty.

Substitute Marcus Robertshaw pulled a goal back with 10 minutes left but United could not manage an unlikely comeback.

Arundel manager Brett Torode said: “The boys reacted well to Saturday’s result against Shoreham and did exactly what we asked them to do. We’ve just go to hang on in there and see what happens, but it’s a question of confidence.”

On Saturday, Mullets slumped to a heavy defeat at home to fellow strugglers Shoreham, who led 5-0 at half-time.

Charlie Walker scored twice inside 15 minutes, before Arundel’s Rory Biggs was sent-off for a late lunge. Walker then completed his hat-trick and Dean Smith and Josh Clayman also netted before half-time.

Arundel assistant manager Craig Stuart said: “It was the most demoralised I’ve ever felt after a match and it was a very bad day at the office.”

ARUNDEL v United: Fernandes; Gardner, D.Walker, L.Walker, Hall; Keet, Grove, R.Biggs; Hardwell, Tipper, Norgate. Subs: Peake (Biggs 81), Gettings, Churchill.

v Shoreham: Fernandes; Peake, Hall, D.Walker, Hunter; R.Biggs, Keet, J.Biggs; Hardwell, Tipper, Norgate. Subs: Grove, L.Walker (Peake, Keet 63), Burton (Hunter 75).