Gatwick cleared for take-off at Sidlesham... Midhurst’s drought woes

Southern Combination division one

Sidlesham welcomed table toppers Crawley Down Gatwick to the Rec for what proved an eventful game.

Sids welcomed back Gary Jones from suspension – one of three changes to the starting line-up from a poor performance at Ringmer.

The home team started superbly and opened the scoring after three minutes with Tom Bayley firing home.

CDG immediately responded, equalising on five minutes after a mix-up in the home defence.

A crazy opening six minutes continued with Tom Jefkins slotting the ball home after excellent work from his brother Joe on the left.

On 30 minutes another pinpoint cross by Joe Jefkins found its way to Bayley for his ninth of the season as instant control and a left-foot drive put the home side 3-1 up.

Minutes before half-time, slack defending from Sidlesham gifted the away side a lifeline.

Sids started the second half in good spirits but were dealt a cruel blow on the hour with the away side awarded a dubious penalty which they put past John Pope to bring the game all-square.

Ten minutes later, another defensive error gifted CDG the lead. Then with Sidlesham pushing players forward to grab the equaliser, they were caught on the break by the Crawley side’s fifth.

There were many positives to come out of the game for Sidlesham but they must clear up the silly errors if they are to pull away from the relegation zone.

SIDS: Pope, Grantham, Carrigher, Millins, Jones (Williams), J Jefkins, T Jefkins, Phillips, Northeast, Bayley (Bassil), Reed.

Midhurst 0 Mile Oak 2

Southern Combination division one

Midhurst manager John Suter says everyone at the club is frustrated at a run of five games without a goal.

In previous games, despite their goal drought, Midhurst have played good football – and they started well against Mile Oak but conceded a very soft goal after 15 minutes.

The visitors conceded a foul throw on the edge of their own box but Suter’s side failed to capitalise and gave the ball straight back to Mile Oak – and they broke forward for George Rudwick to score the opener.

Midhurst continued to play good football and create chances but as they threw bodies forward they left themselves exposed, allowing Rudwick to double their lead a minute into stoppage time.

Suter admits the lack of goals is effecting everyone

He said: “It was very frustrating. It has happened again – we have not scored. We could have got all three points but it has been the case for five games now.

“We started well but we made one mistake and gifted them a goal. We continued to play butjust couldn’t score.

“Everybody is frustrated – me, the players and the chairman, the whole club is affected by it.”

The Stags host Crawley Down Gatwick this Saturday.

MIDHURST: Jeal, Turner (Dowdell), Broughton, Chaplin, Dummer, Casselton, Dormer, Morris, L Hamilton, Farquharson (Hunt), Sheldrick (Morgan).

GEORGE BOULTON

* Selsey lost by the odd goal in nine at Southwick. Toby Lempriere opened the scoring then David Rough and Ryan Morey put them 3-2 up after 32 minutes. But Jack Cavell’s second-half goal couldn’t prevent a 5-4 defeat.

Selsey go to Steyning this Saturday.

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

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

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 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.

Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!