Common make it seven in a row

Common sixth win during the month of April rubber-stamped fourth place in Sussex County Football League Division Two.

Common opened the scoring in just the ninth minute when a Russell Eldridge corner was headed goalwards by Steve Mote for Jerome Smith to swivel and flick the ball in at the far post.

Smith’s error led to a quick equaliser, though, when he was dispossessed on the left, allowing the ball to be crossed for the unmarked Ash Harper to smash home from eight yards.

Common saw a strong penalty claim waved away when Bristow was pushed in the box, while at the other end, Jon Saunders did well to palm away an effort from the edge of the area. Common took the lead into half time when James Vaughan’s delivery was headed into the bottom corner by a diving Wick defender.

The second period saw Common begin slightly the stronger, but Zack McEniry did well to clear off the Common line before Wick struck next when a long ball over the top caught Common off guard and Harper rounded Saunders to level the scores.

Eldridge put Common back in front 12 minutes from time when he struck a free kick into the top corner for his 13th of the season. 3-2 soon became 4-2 as Vaughan hit a free kick of his own which eluded everyone before finding the far corner of the net.

The goalscoring was not over, however, and Wick reduced the deficit with four minutes remaining when a corner rolled across the Common area before being prodded home. Common held on without any further scares to cap another fine season.

Common: Saunders, Cooper, S. Mote, Eldridge, McEniry, J. Smith, Vaughan, Brown, Denny (Crone), Bristow (Richardson), Lusted (Elliott-Noye).