Billingshurst off the mark: Win over Little Common is their first in SCFL Premier

Billingshurst were on top from the start: on five minutes, a Harry Hope strike from 25 yards was well saved by the keeper – followed by Brandon Engstrom’s shot going narrowly wide.

On 19 minutes, man of the match Kieran Britland’s long pass split the square Little Common defence and found Tosin Dada. His neat chip over the keeper made it 1-0.

The pressure continued and Hurst started to enjoy themselves even though the weather did its best to impact the game. Tom Edwards and Hope seemed sure to score but got in each other’s way, and there was a strong penalty shout and then a great volley from Engstrom which hit the keeper.

In the dying seconds of the first half, the home side’s profligacy nearly cost them when Little Common centre forward Pogue’s shot kissed the post.

In the second half, although the away side now had the elements in their favour, Billingshurst stretched their lead when an Engstrom corner was volleyed home by Britland to make it 2-0.

Inevitably the away team started to come more into the game but were largely kept at bay although Hurst were grateful for a last-ditch tackle from James Bendell and a sprawling save by Ollie Courtney.

In the last 15 minutes Billingshurst’s control of the game saw the away side start to lose discipline. First Pogue was sin-binned for discussing a decision with referee Sunderland and then Mapstone departed for an early shower after a vociferous comment seemingly aimed at one of his own team-mates.

Multiple substitutions followed and Hurst comfortably saw out the game 2-0.

Manager Eddie French said: “It was great to get the first league win of the season out the way, and also our first clean sheet.

"The lads put in a battling performance and we managed to take two of our chances and keep them at arm’s length for large parts. We know there is a long way to go, so that gives us a little flavour and of course we want more.”

Hurst host CDG on Monday and visit Hassocks on Saturday.