Late double earns comeback win

Jamie Crone and Lewis Hole struck in the final quarter-of-an-hour to give Common their first points of the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One season.

Playing their first home match of the new campaign, Dave Ammoun came in to replace the unavailable Sam Brown in what was an otherwise unchanged Common line-up from the previous weekend’s cup win at Haywards Heath Town.

In blisteringly hot conditions, the match itself was a dull affair during the first period with neither team producing many noteworthy chances as both defences held firm.

Steve Mote had Common’s first real attempt at goal, but his long range effort failed to really test the visiting goalkeeper. Liam Foster was then denied as he attempted to round the Oak stopper after bursting into the area.

Oak also enjoyed their fair share of possession and Danny Curd saw a free kick clear the crossbar before an effort was blasted over following a weak header in the Common box.

Jake Sherwood’s enterprising surge towards the Oak goal ended with an effort that drifted wide and Dan Estherby saw an effort blocked following a Russell Eldridge free kick.

Oak drew first blood on the stroke of half time when Curd beat three Common players as he ran across the edge of the box before firing past Matt Cruttwell into the bottom corner of the net.

Common began the second half the brighter of the two teams, but it was turning into a frustrating afternoon as Common could not find the killer pass to breach the organised Oak back four.

Hole came closest to equalising when he found himself with time in the box, but his effort was saved by the feet of the visiting goalkeeper. Estherby saw an effort trickle the wrong side of the post.

Oak thought they had earned themselves a penalty when Zack McEniry made a challenge in the area, but their appeals were waved away.

The introduction of three attacking substitutes made Common’s intentions clear and they finally broke through the stubborn Oak rearguard 10 minutes from time. McEniry released Hole and his delivery into the box was met by Crone, who swept the ball in at the near post.

Common could now sense a winner and five minutes later Martin Denny’s throughball was met by Hole, who calmly slotted past the advancing Oak goalkeeper with his right foot.

Common held on to register their first three points of the season.

Common: Cruttwell, Sherwood (Denny), Mote (Lusted), Ammoun, McEniry, Eldridge, Haward (Crone), Feakins, Hole, Foster, Estherby.

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