Common beaten by late strike

An 86th minute goal condemned Little Common's footballers to a 1-0 defeat at home to Steyning Town on Saturday.
Jared Lusted had a late penalty appeal turned down on his return to the Little Common side against Steyning Town on SaturdayJared Lusted had a late penalty appeal turned down on his return to the Little Common side against Steyning Town on Saturday
Jared Lusted had a late penalty appeal turned down on his return to the Little Common side against Steyning Town on Saturday

It was a somewhat typical end of season encounter which lacked any real quality as both teams cancelled each other out for long periods of the Macron Store Southern Combination League Division One match.

Common player-manager Russell Eldridge was once again forced to shuffle his pack with the unavailability of a number of players, although he was able to welcome back Matt Cruttwell in goal.

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It was the visitors who had the first chance of the match when Lewis Levoi raced through on goal with less than a minute on the clock, but he was only able to steer his effort wide of the post.

Common went on to enjoy long spells in the opposition half and twice forced saves from the visiting goalkeeper. A long range Eldridge effort brought a somewhat unorthodox save from the goalkeeper’s legs before a fierce Liam Foster shot was pushed round the post.

Dan Estherby saw two deliveries into the area just elude Lewis Hole as the Commoners looked the more likely to open the scoring in the first period.

Steyning had the best two opportunities at the start of the second half, with Cruttwell making a fine double save when faced with a one-on-one situation before pushing a header around the post following a free kick into the area.

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At the other end, Hole saw an effort flash past the post before Dom Bristow saw his shot pushed over the crossbar.

With the match seemingly heading for a stalemate, the deadlock was broken with four minutes remaining. Levoi’s cross-cum-shot from the left touchline eluded a Steyning striker and Cruttwell before nestling into the corner of the net.

Common saw a late penalty appeal waved away when Jared Lusted was upended in the box, but it was another frustrating afternoon.

Common: Cruttwell, Sherwood, Bristow, Eldridge, Maynard, Mote, Foster (Wells), Brown, Hole (Lusted), Crathern (Robb), Estherby.

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