Former Pompey, Bournemouth and Charlton midfielder rides to Rocks’ rescue

The former Pompey midfielder, 39, signed a short-term deal with the Rocks to play in the game and he exuded experience and was hugely influential in helping Jamie Howell's side to the win.

The visitors took the lead with a rasping effort from Ben Purcell after eight minutes but the home side hit back with a penalty from Lee Seok-Jae on 14 minutes and strikes from Cad Field after half an hour and Cal Laycock eight minutes later.

It may be the only game Hollands plays for the club after being persuaded by Howell to help out his injury-hit outfit following the ex-Chelsea youth player's recent departure as Gosport Borough manager.

Hollands’ playing career included games for Torquay United, AFC Bournemouth, Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, Gillingham, Pompey, Crewe Alexandra and Eastleigh.

Howell will no doubt do everything in his influence to cajole him in to a longer-term commitment and the appreciative Rocks fans' standing ovation when he was subbed on 73 minutes may convince Hollands to consider a permanent switch.

Howell told Rocks Radio: "He was brilliant to be fair; he is a top lad and lives locally and we do a lot of work together and I rang him up and said, 'look, we are really struggling, do you fancy playing?’ And he said, 'not really!'

“But he loves the club and he is really good and he said he would come and do it and I thought he was brilliant -- and exactly what we needed with Preston (Woolston) and Billy (Allcock) in there; just the older head, experienced, talking to people and leading them… so we are really grateful for him for doing that!”

On the nature of his signing, he added: “It's a favour. Dan's got a lot going on at the moment and I am not too sure he knows what to do -- he has lots of ideas and he might go back into management or playing but if he wants to be around we will have him! We will respect whatever he wants to do -- but playing like that he can play every week!”

Howell was chuffed to collect three points that takes his side to 11th in the table and comes after a 3-0 reverse at high-flying Westfield last Saturday. See the match in pictures here.

He added: “We are really pleased to bounce back, We spoke to the players about their attitude, body language and commitment and in fairness I thought we did really well.

“We didn't help our cause at in certain aspects with the defeat at Westfield, who are very good side. But I thought the backline was excellent in this win; Chad (Field) was brilliant, some of Matt Jones’ deliveries were good as well as his defending and he was a real plus, I thought he did excellent. Ethan Robb showed his versatility, playing centre half and did well and I’m really pleased for Harvey (Whyte) and the goalkeeper Dan Lincoln as well.”

The Rocks are at home – at Chichester City – again on Saturday when Hartley Wintney visit.

…

Rocks 3 Hayes & Yeading 1

report by Liam Goodley

Bognor are up to 11th in the table after they overcame Hayes & Yeading at Oaklands Park. The goals came after Bognor went behind early in the game with Lee Seok-Jae, Chad Field and Callum Laycock all finding the net.

Bognor had the ball in the net after just two minutes. But it didn't count due to the offside flag being shown. It was a great cross knocked on by Callum Laycock before Seok-Jae Lee pounced deep into the box to knock it low into the net.

Billy Allcock did well to steal the ball in Hayes & Yeading's half but his cross was cut out by Aaron Watkins in the visiting goal, as Bognor were pressing high.

But Hayes & Yeading took the lead as a fine effort by Ben Purcell hit the underside of the bar before it flew in beyond a diving Dan Lincoln on 8 minutes. Danny Hollands got a yellow card for a late challenge on Amaru Kaunda around 30 yards out on 12 minutes.

Then Kash Kasukumya was bundled down in the box in response. Seok-Jae stepped up to confidently fire it into the net low into the bottom left corner, despite the goalkeeper diving to the correct side in the 14th minute.

Kaylen Hinds was blocked with his effort on the turn before Tyler Hayles fired one chance from distance straight into the grateful arms of Lincoln.

Amos Nasha also made a run through the area before shooting but again the opportunity was struck directly at the Bognor stopper.

Seok-Jae did well to get to the byline before digging out a cross but Kasukumya diverted it over the bar on his first touch.

Kaunda headed over a free header in the box following a swift cross from the visitors soon after in a very entertaining opening 20 minutes.

Matt Jones pummeled a deep cross to the back post where Chad Field was waiting to rise and head it at goal. But Watkins tipped it over. The goalkeeper was forced into action again tipping onto the bar and over from Kasukumya's flicked effort seconds later.

Following a freekick from Jones, it was Hollands and then Seok-Jae getting a headed flick on into the path of Field who turned neatly before belting it into the net, to give Bognor the lead on 28 minutes.

Allcock did well to speed through before passing it to Kasukumya who hit one from outside the box but straight at the goalkeeper.

Kaunda received a bouncing pass over the top of the defence before having a go on the rise, but Lincoln used his reactions to push it out of play.

Bognor extended their lead on 38 minutes as Kasukumya's effort was blocked and the ball bounced out off the goalkeeper before Laycock lashed it in on the rebound from the edge of the box. It bounced off a defender before spinning over the goalkeeper who was totally bamboozled as it tumbled into the net.

Kasukumya fired wide of the left post following another run from the right in an action packed evening for the forward.

Then Mack Miskin went into the book for a late challenge on the right flank awarding Bognor another freekick. Jones swung a curling freekick straight at goal but Watkins did enough to push it over in the swirling wind and rain.

Kasukumya capitalised on Allcock's closing down to turn and shoot but his low strike was deflected wide by the right leg of the goalkeeper on the stroke of half time. HT 3 - 1

Whyte was good in the tackle as Hayes & Yeading started well, scuppering Hinds' attempt at the last moment as play kicked off for the second half. Seok-Jae sped through down the left before hooking in a left footed cross and again Kasukumya, who was well positioned, failed to divert it at goal.

A swift cross by Seok-Jae fell to Laycock who miscued his turn and shot before Allcock was denied from close range in the follow up on 54 minutes.

Whyte was fouled with a late challenge from Hinds who went into the book on 67 minutes as Bognor continued to look the stronger of the sides in a quieter second half. Seok-Jae pounced on a defensive error to get a cross in but it was deflected out again on 78 minutes.

Allcock picked out Laycock on the turn but his low effort was saved moments later. Remi Onabanjo, off the bench for the visitors, had a long range effort on 83 minutes and it had to be punched away by Lincoln in a rare second half attack from Hayes & Yeading.

Laycock went into the book for a late challenge near the touchline inside stoppage time. Watkins hit the freekick in and a header inside the box was smashed away by the Bognor defence.

Bognor held out confidently to take the three points. An important win in their climb up the table. Rocks welcome Hartley Wintney next to Oaklands Park on Saturday, 3pm.

Rocks: Lincoln, Whyte, Jones, Robb, Field (c), Hollands (Kingswell 73), Allcock, Woolston (Chaffey 90), Laycock, Kasukumya (Smith 85), Seok-Jae (Sendrea 90) Sub not Used: Barnes (GK).