Bosham keep league cup hopes alive

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A second-half strike from Louis Bell '“ his first goal for the Robins '“ was enough to book holders Bosham another league cup semi-final spot as they won 1-0 at Roffey.

Bosham would love to retain the trophy they won last season and had to dig deep to book their passage.

The Reds started brightly and an early effort from Bell stung the hands of keeper Chris Coles.

Bosham were handed a big blow with only five minutes gone when playmaker Nick Edgington was forced off with a hamstring tear which gave sub Jim Ruston a chance to shine.

League top marksman Devon Fender was being well marshalled by Bosham and his only effort in the first quarter sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Dave Storey looked sharp up front and the likes of Ben Simester and Gavin Fowler had difficulty at times in stopping the Bosham striker from getting in on goal.

After the break it was end to end, with Bosham looking the more likely to score. Ruston was a menace down the left and Alex Barnes was putting in a tremendous shift on the opposite flank.

Just before the hour the deadlock was broken. Kieran Magee hit a free-kick from deep in his own half direct into the Roffey area.

Keeper Coles flapped at the ball under pressure from Storey and dropped the ball at the feet of Bell, who had little problem in volleying the ball back over Cole’s head and in.

No matter what Roffey tried after the goal, Bosham always had an answer and Matt Docherty, in particular, was outstanding in the defensive line.

The Reds, who will face Montpelier Villa in the semi-finals, enjoyed this revenge for a recent league defeat at Bartholomew Way.

The Easter fixtures are up next with Rottingdean the visitors to Walton Lane on Easter Saturday (3pm) and Ferring at Bosham on Easter Monday (11am).

Bosham: Magee, Probee, Docherty, Wilson, Bryant, Bell, Giambelardini, Dowden, Barnes, Edgington, Storey. Subs: Redman, Ruston.

ALAN PRICE

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