Honours even between Golds and EP in derby clash

This top-of-the-table clash was an entertaining one, although the pace of the game dictated that dwelling on the ball was a potentially hazardous past-time.

Littlehampton came out of the blocks the stronger and went ahead after just 13 minutes following a mistake from EP goalkeeper Alex Bryant. A long punt from Gold’s custodian Jon Hendricks was headed back by Paul Brown, but in his scramble to prevent the corner Bryant scuffed his clearance. The quick-thinking Michael Hendricks seized upon the loose ball and slotted into an empty net from a tight angle.

The host’s work rate was excellent as they prevented EP from employing their trademark passing game, but chances did come the visitors’ way.

Barney Boutwood was played in down the left by Matt Axell only to see his powerful strike well stopped by Hendricks’ strong left hand.

The home goalkeeper excelled himself once more as half-time approached with a reflex tip around the post from George Gaskin’s cross and yet again on the stroke of half-time as he denied Boutwood for a second time.

The second half began with the home side on the attack but Jamie Wrigley’s shot from Michael Hendricks’ cut back was straight at Bryant. EP then broke and Jon Hendricks produced his best save of the evening as he tipped Gaskin’s dipping shot over the bar.

The scores should have been level on 72 minutes when Gaskin was found in acres of space from a quick free kick, but his finish with the outside of the boot was well wide.

Gaskin only had to wait a minute to make amends, however, as Charlie Oatway played a corner back across the box for the EP frontman to side-foot home from a yard.

The visitors thought they had stolen the points in the 86th minute when Oatway had the ball in the net but he was rightly adjudged offside and it was no more than Littlehampton, and particularly Jon Hendricks, deserved.

Golds manager Mark Bennett said: “We did well with what is a young side, but we didn’t play how we know we can, which is a bit disappointing. Jon Hendricks’ performance in goal was superb, though, and they are a good side.”

A subdued EP manager Dom Di Paola said: “It’s a game where we had enough chances to win but our finishing and composure in front of goal let us down, but credit to them as they worked hard.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: J.Hendricks; Goff, McKay, A.Wrigley, M.Hand; Bibb, J.Wrigley, D.Gaskin, D.Hand; Kew, M.Hendricks. Subs: Jarvis (Kew 55), Attawell (Gaskin 81), Jarman, O’Connor, Mannings (Hand 68).

EAST PRESTON: Bryant; Gibbs, Brown, S.Di Paola, O’Hagan, Barnard; Shelley, Oatway, Axell; G.Gaskin, Boutwood. Subs: Meehan, Clark (S.Di Paola 53), Garnham (Boutwood 58), D.Di Paola.