Common pip Westies in drab derby

Little Common edged out neighbours Westfield 1-0 in a drab derby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Westfield full-back Ross Markham shields the ball from Little Common wide player Jared Lusted. Picture by Simon NewsteadWestfield full-back Ross Markham shields the ball from Little Common wide player Jared Lusted. Picture by Simon Newstead
Westfield full-back Ross Markham shields the ball from Little Common wide player Jared Lusted. Picture by Simon Newstead

A sixth minute penalty from Common player-manager Russell Eldridge earned his team a second successive Sussex County Football League Division Two victory against a Westfield side which had won its previous two.

Besides the goal, neither goalkeeper had a great deal to do during a game of precious few opportunities. Adam Smith shot wide for Common in the second half having been put through by a lovely Lewis Hole flick and substitute Zack McEniry was later denied by Westfield goalkeeper Carl Morris.

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Elsewhere in the same division, Bexhill United were beaten 3-0 away to Storrington. Bexhill made the long trip west with only 12 players and no recognised goalkeeper so attacking player Dan Hill donned the gloves.

Hill remained unbeaten until Marcus Robertshaw put Storrington ahead on the stroke of half time. Joe Warner made it 2-0 early in the second half and Bexhill had Conner Burton sent-off before Warner added his second and Storrington’s third.

See Friday’s Observers for full reports and reaction.

Standings (played-points): 1 Eastbourne United AFC 14-35, 2 Haywards Heath Town 16-34, 3 Loxwood 15-32, 4 LITTLE COMMON 16-29, 5 Broadbridge Heath 14-28, 6 Steyning Town 14-26, 7 Mile Oak 14-23, 8 BEXHILL UNITED 16-22, 9 AFC Uckfield 13-19, 10 Wick & Barnham United 15-19, 11 WESTFIELD 14-15, 12 Storrington 15-14, 13 Seaford Town 14-13, 14 Oakwood 14-13, 15 Rustington 15-11, 16 Midhurst & Easebourne 15-9, 17 Saltdean United 14-7.