Football: Martlets and Colts renew old rivalries - and may do it again

The sides experienced success in the late 90s and early 2000s but it has been nearly a decade since they last met.

The first half was cagey with nobody wanting to make mistakes early on, but as the half went on chances were created by both sides, with Martlets enjoying the majority of possession.

Bognor captain Steve Shepherd was a constant thorn in Felpham’s side, but the deadlock couldn’t be broken before half-time.

In the second half, the game burst into life.

From kick-off a slick Colts passing move ended in Perry Dant racing on to a through-ball and hitting a low drive towards the bottom corner but Martlets keeper Jamie Walter pushed the ball away for a corner.

For The Martlets, Toby Knight’s shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

Colts made the breakthrough. A misplaced pass went out of play and the quick-thinking Chris Forth threw it to Dant who laid it off to Harry Harwood. He struck home a trademark 20-yard drive.

One became two, Dan Plummer doing well down the left and crossing for Dant, who swivelled and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

Colts were still pressing and the third goal arrived courtesy of a terrible back pass by Matt Carter, Plummer pouncing and tucking it underneath Walter.

Martlets did pull one back as the ball sat up nicely for centre-half Lee Baldwin who hit a rocket from 25 yards, a deserved consolation.

Bognor wasted a number of chances to make it 3-2.

The game was enjoyed by all and there is talk of making it an annual event.

Bognor Martlets: J Walter, J Wilkins, L Baldwin, Matt Carter, A Thomas, S Shepherd (C), B Jennings, C Welling, R Vevers, T Knight, J Ford, A Peach, C Turney, K Hardwell.

Felpham: Nash, Appleby, Martin, Caiger, Evans, Hickling, Forth, A Rolfe, Dant, Dean, Harwood, R Rolfe, Plummer, Gibson.