Golds leave it late in home win over Hailsham

The County League Division 1 game looked to be heading to a 1-1 draw when Mitchell Hand fired a fantastic 25-yard free kick into the top corner on 84 minutes to give Golds the lead.

George Gaskin then wrapped up the win just a minute later when he got through one-on-one and netted his eighth goal of the season.

Golds performed well in the early stages and took the lead on 26 minutes. Mark Burgess and Hand played a one-two, with Burgess’ cross headed home at the back post by Gaskin.

Littlehampton then took their foot off the gas and Hailsham levelled through Alex Thompson on 38 minutes.

That was the way things stayed until Golds’ late strikes, although the hosts did finish the game with ten men after Ross McKay was shown a straight red card for a foul.

Littlehampton manager Mark Bennett said: “We created a lot of chances and I thought it was going to be like the Selsey game last week all over again.

“But Mitchell scored a fantastic free kick and I don’t think two keepers in the goal would have been able to save it.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: Hendrick; Wiggans, Curnow, McKay, Hand; D.Gaskin, Hunt, Humphreys, Simmonds, Burgess; G.Gaskin. Subs: Kew, O’Callaghan (D.Gaskin, Burgess 60), Hellen (Hunt 88).