Early strikes take Golds to victory over Mullets

A constant fog during this game brought back memories of Top of the Pops’ heyday for those of us old enough to recall them and it was arguably fortunate that the elements masked a game littered with stray passes from both sides at various points during proceedings.

Littlehampton started brightly, although were lucky to be awarded an indirect free kick on 12 minutes for an adjudged back-pass from a Lloyd Walker tackle. However, a free kick was given, the ball was tapped to George Gaskin who accurately placed the ball into the roof of the net despite Arundel’s best efforts to fill the goal.

Golds’ second was the result of the visitors failing to clear their lines, allowing Jamie Thompson to fire home from the edge of the area after 16 minutes.

Littlehampton continued to assert pressure and Liam Humphreys should have done better from a Gaskin through ball in the 18th minute but the midfielder lifted his shot over the bar as he stretched to reach it.

Arundel finally found their feet in the game without ever truly testing Jon Hendrick in the Golds net, but Gaskin almost made it 3-0 to the hosts after 43 minutes as his volley was well blocked by Fernandes.

Mullets clearly got a talking to at half-time and were far more of a threat in the second period. Luke Richards had two shots charged down on 49 minutes and Lewis Jenkins should have done better than to flick a cross over the bar from close range.

Arundel continued to press as Russell Hardwell and Richards both forced Hendrick into his first meaningful action of the match but to no avail.

Chances were few and far between following that, with defensive errors rather than slick passing being the cause of either keeper to be called into action.

Golds assistant manager Richie Hellen said afterwards: “We only played in patches tonight and we took our foot off the gas after going 2-0 up which allowed them to get back into it.

“We’ve got three players (Ross McKay, Mitchell Hand and Ben Gray) back from suspension for Saturday’s trip to Rye, so we have options.”

Mullets joint boss Simon Butler commented: “We gave them a bit of a rollicking at half-time and we improved in the second half, creating a few chances, which on another day could have gone in.

“I’m pleased with the reaction but not with the start.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: Hendrick; Peters, Curnow, Bates, Packer; Thompson, Humphreys, Williamson, D.Gaskin; G.Gaskin, Simmonds. Subs: D.Hand, Kew (D.Gaskin, Humphreys 64), Stone (Simmonds 80), Wiggans, Askew.

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; Da Costa, Peake, L.Walker, Bibb, Jenkins; Dudas, A.Biggs, Jearum, Hardwell; Richards. Subs: Hunter (Biggs 37), Grove (Bibb 74), D.Walker (Richards 76), Herbert.