Golds win with worst display of the season

Bennett felt his side lacked passion in a game watched by County League Division 2 title rivals and league leaders Newhaven, after their match was called off.

Nevertheless, second-placed Golds still sealed their 17th league win of the season and moved to within three points of the table toppers, with four games in hand.

But Bennett was not pleased with his side’s showing, and said: “It was rubbish. It was our worst performance of the season, we should have got 12 goals. I really wasn’t very happy at all.

“But, at the end of the day, and as the players said afterwards, we still got all three points.

“What disturbed me the most, though, was the lack of passion.

“I really wasn’t pleased at half-time and we made a couple of changes after about 10 minutes of the second half and we improved as a side.

“I mean, Saltdean isn’t the most inspiring of places to go but all of the Newhaven players were watching and that should have inspired them to put on a really good display, but, unfortunately, it was just one of those days.”

Scott Packer put the visitors ahead on 21 minutes after a through ball put him in and he finished under the goalkeeper.

And, although Jason Jarvis added a second after a goalmouth scramble, Saltdean’s Eddie Noel pulled a goal back before the break after he got on the end of a good ball in from a free kick, which everyone had missed.

Michale Asare added a third for Golds after the break, restoring their two-goal cushion after another goalmouth scramble.

Jarvis added his second and Golds’ fourth late on as he followed up to finish a shot which was initially saved and then cleared off the line.

Bennett added: “To be fair, we had 75 per cent of the chances and should have been 7-1 or 8-1 up at half-time.

“I put Billy Rayner on in the second half and he changed the game. He did really well and just got the ball down and passed it.”