Golds fight back to beat Loxwood on penalties

Littlehampton Football Club fought back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to progress on penalties in the Sussex RUR Cup on Tuesday evening.

Loxwood took the lead after just 10 minutes when Matt Hoyte struck with a low free kick, which went under Golds’ wall.

Littlehampton did not really get going in the first half and fell 2-0 behind on 37 minutes when Damon Aston netted after Ross McKay’s back-pass evaded keeper John Hendrick.

Golds boss Mark Bennett made three substitutions at half-time and was pleased with the response from his side in the second half. Mitchell Hand pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when he fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after a one-two with Michael Hendrick.

Littlehampton levelled on 66 minutes when Michael Hendrick was again the provider, this time for George Gaskin, who half-volleyed home.

Golds then had several chances to go ahead as Gaskin, Jamie Thompson and Michael Hendrick all went close.

Jerry Manning and Mitchell Hand shot over in extra-time, before Loxwood had a player sent off f0r tw0 b0okings.

It was penalties that ended up deciding the match and Adam Bibb, Hand and Manning all netted for Golds, while keeper Hendrick saved two Loxwood spot-kicks as Littlehampton went through 3-1.

Bennett said: “The first half was the worst we have played all season. I made three substitutions at half-time and I was pleased with the response as we dominated the second half and extra-time.”