East Preston smash six past Oakwood

EAST Preston Football Club recovered from a poor first half to thump relegation-threatened Oakwood 6-2 on Saturday and record a much-needed win in County League Division 2.

Kevin Budge hit a treble for EP, with further goals from Jamie McLeod, Aaron Farrier and Joe Charman.

EP boss Paul Bird said: “The first half was disappointing, but we had words at half-time and it was about right in the end.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We gifted them their two goals, but our response was pleasing and we can look to build on this.

“The second half was a lot better against a poor side. We could have won by more if we’d played at that level in the first half. Kevin Budge getting a hat-trick was pleasing, and our attitude and desire was good.”

Budge slotted home his first for the opener after 75 seconds, but Oakwood drew level seven minutes later.

After Budge had gone close with a header and Joe Charman hit a post, the two combined to put EP back in front in the 36th minute. Charman’s right-wing cross fell to Budge, who bundled in at the second attempt to restore the lead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Oakwood soon made it 2-2, but EP blew away their struggling opponents with a devastating 15-minute spell in the second half. Farrier volleyed home on the hour, McLeod converted from the penalty spot after Charman had been fouled, and Budge poked in to complete his hat-trick to move on to five EP goals for the season, before Charman also netted.

The win lifted East Preston two places to 12th in the table.

EP do not have a game on Saturday but host local rivals Littlehampton in the Brighton Charity Cup first round on Tuesday.

EAST PRESTON: Gammons; Da Costa, Hand, James; Banfield, Campbell, McLeod, Bainbridge; Farrier, Budge, Charman. Subs: Wilds (Campbell 66), Lawson (Farrier 70), Leach (James 75), Windsor.

Related topics: