Late Shelley goal sends EP top

JOE Shelley’s last-minute winner sent East Preston Football Club top of County League Division 1 on Tuesday evening.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Sep 2013, 10:00 BST
East Preston's Joe Shelley steps up to take a penalty but blasts it over the bar, one of two mised penalties from East Preston.East Preston's Joe Shelley steps up to take a penalty but blasts it over the bar, one of two mised penalties from East Preston.
East Preston's Joe Shelley steps up to take a penalty but blasts it over the bar, one of two mised penalties from East Preston.

EP struck two goals in the last 12 minutes to come from a goal down to beat a Pagham side, who have been somewhat of a bogey team for them over the past few season.

Things did not look great for the visitors who missed two first-half penalties. Liam Baitup was fouled for both, but the first, Shelley hit over the bar, and the second, Baitup put onto the post.

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An injury to Kevin Keehan was a setback after the break and Scott Murfin put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after a ball was drilled at Marc Pullan’s arm in the box.

Baitup, however, finished a cross to level on 89 minutes, before Shelley nodded home the winner from a corner on 90 minutes to pinch all three points.

EP boss Dominic Di Paola said: “Pagham always seem to beat us, but we showed character to get back into it, it’s a good win.

“It’s early days yet and we have got two really hard games next with Lingfield Saturday and Arundel on Tuesday. I have said these seven days will make a big difference to our season.”