Common thrash higher grade rivals

Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One high-flyers Common won 4-0 at home to a Chichester City side lying fifth in the Premier Division in round two of the Sussex RUR Charity Cup.

Chichester had two players sent-off in the second half, but by that stage Common were well on their way to a third round clash at home to East Preston or Oakwood.

Common probably fashioned the better chances during a fairly even first half and went ahead after 15 minutes. Jake Sherwood beat a couple of players and got to the byeline on the right before pulling the ball back for Martin Denny to place the ball into the net.

Also in the first half, Lewis Hole’s lob hit the post and rebounded into the away goalkeeper’s arms, while Common stopper Matt Cruttwell made a good save to repel a shot from distance.

Common doubled their lead in the first two minutes of the second half. Russell Eldridge took a free kick quickly as Chichester were still organising their defensive wall and placed the ball into a virtually empty net.

Common went further in front in the 58th minute. Liam Foster played a good one-two with Harry Saville and was brought down for a penalty which Saville converted.

A Chichester player was shown a second yellow card for dissent before the penalty was taken and one of his team-mates was given a straight red for a similar offence 10 minutes from time.

Although a little bit wasteful towards the end, Common added a fourth goal with the final act of the night. Cam Burgon pulled the ball back to Eldridge, who picked out the far top corner from 25 yards to round things off in style.

As well as the goals, Common twice hit the woodwork in the second half. Bristow rattled the crossbar with a good long range effort and the luckless Hole struck the post for a second time after lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.

Cruttwell made a couple of fairly regulation saves at the other end, while Sherwood and Saville stood out with particularly strong performances.

Player-manager Eldridge said: “On the whole we were excellent. We defended well and took our chances.”

Common: Cruttwell; Sherwood, Aston, Cruikshank, Cooper; Foster, Eldridge, Bristow (Burgon), Saville (Wells); Hole (Curteis), Denny.

See our comprehensive sports coverage in the Observer every Friday.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!