Late own goal denies Funnell first victory as United boss

Worthing United Football Club boss Simon Funnell said his side's 2-2 home draw with Newhaven on Saturday felt like two points dropped.
Chamal Fenelon scored twice against Newhaven on SaturdayChamal Fenelon scored twice against Newhaven on Saturday
Chamal Fenelon scored twice against Newhaven on Saturday

While admitting it was another decent result for his side, Funnell was disappointed Newhaven equalised three minutes from time.

United have now drawn back to back games, although Funnell is still waiting for his first win as Mavericks boss.

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He said: “In the end, it felt like two points dropped. Over the whole game, I’d say we probably should have won but if we’re disappointed not to get more than a point against teams like Broadbridge Heath and Newhaven, things are looking a lot brighter.

“We’re scoring goals but just need to tighten up a bit at the back. We felt there was a push on Jamie Stideford for their equaliser, so it was disappointing that wasn’t given but, at the end of the day, we’ve again taken something from the game.”

Mavericks made a bright start as Matt Hards and Owen Callaghan both went close in the opening ten minutes. Newhaven went ahead through Scott Taylor on 20 minutes but United levelled just four minutes later when Chamal Fenelon scored a penalty, following a foul from a corner.

United took the lead with just five minutes remaining when the ball dropped to Fenelon in the penalty area and he back-heeled it home for his sixth goal of the season.

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Newhaven levelled just two minutes later when a free kick from out wide was crossed into the penalty area and Stideford headed into his own net, although Mavericks felt there was a push in his back as he was about to head clear.

Mavericks remain third from bottom in the SCFL Premier Division but are now level on points with fourth-from-bottom Arundel.

United do not have a game this weekend, with their next game at title-chasing Pagham on December 10.

Funnell said: “It’s a tough run, Broadbridge Heath, Newhaven and Pagham next. After not losing for two games, you want to carry on playing – especially with Pagham losing at the weekend. But on the other hand, it gives some niggling injuries a chance to heal and we can work on a few things in training before we play again.”

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United have signed former Chipstead and Shoreham defender Ant Panayi.

UNITED: Trigwell; Fuller, Ewing, Hards, Bromage, Smith, Todd, Callaghan, Gritt, Rose, Fenelon. Subs: Eze (Rose 70), Stideford (Callaghan 80), Atkinson, Jordan, Marsh.

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