Impressive Shoreham too strong for struggling Wick

Luke Donaldson, Rob O’Toole and Adam Kneller all struck in the opening half-hour, before Kieron Pamment netted late on with Mussels cruising to a 4-0 victory.

Shoreham remain two points clear of nearest rivals Haywards Heath Town at the summit after they sealed a 4-3 success at Crawley Down Gatwick.

Mussels boss Bryan O’Toole was impressed by the way his team flew out of the traps on Saturday and said: “We started so fast and just had way too much for them in the opening half-hour.

“At the minute we are looking so strong, we seem a totally different side from the one that lost at Hassocks.

“Full credit to Wick they tried to play football - which was pleasing to see - but I felt that played into our hands a little.

“We got at them straight from the off and really stamped our authority on the game.

“It’s another win on the way to want we want to achieve this season, we’re looking so strong coming into the run-in. We seem to be in the best form we’ve been for a while just at the right time.”

Shoreham blew Wick away in a blistering opening 30 minute-spell.

Donaldson latched onto a Joe Dryer cross, then cut inside and fired home after nine minutes.

Rob O’Toole, who was playing in a deeper midfield role, made it two after curling a masterful 25-yard free-kick into the top corner ten minutes later.

An impressive opening half-hour was then complete as Kneller added a third. Wick failed to clear a corner and the centre-half rifled home with his left-foot.

It could have been a lot more convincing for Shoreham had they been more clinical in the second. Substitute Scott Packer missed an open goal, while Pamment saw an effort chalked out for offside.

Mussels’ pressure was rewarded eight minutes from time, though, with Pamment making it four.

Shoreham face what looks to be a stern test on Saturday with fifth-placed Eastbourne United making the trip to Middle Road.

Having been pushed all the way, coming out 4-3 winners in the reverse fixture, Bryan O’Toole is expecting another tough game.

He added: “We know what is needed between now and the end of the season.

“As I mentioned earlier, this team is looking so strong at the minute, I stand on the touchline thinking this is a team I’d love to have played in. We’ve got another tough test to come with Eastbourne United on Saturday.

“They are a decent team, who pushed us all the way at their place earlier in the season, so we know what to expect.”

SHOREHAM: Heyburn; Hartley, Pearson, Kneller, Dryer; R.O’Toole, Shelley, Burton; Donaldson, Pamment, Cradock. Subs: O’Hagan (R.O’Toole), Packer (Cradock), Deen (Burton).

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