Lewis Hamilton races in to clinch Midhurst win

On a pitch left muddy by all the recent rain, Midhurst got a dream start after five minutes when captain Gary Norgate was in the right place to steer the ball past keeper Steve Alfrey.

For Southwick, Chris Bowyer and Idriz Adedoja went close but home keeper Ian Knight cleared.

On 25 minutes Bowyer levelled the score with a shot beyond Knight’s reach. Southwick went ahead five minutes later through an Adedoja penalty.

But within a few minutes, Michael Asare outpaced Luke Mighall and equalised.

Play was suspended briefly after one of the linesmen slipped over but he was okay after treatment.

Bowyer scored Southwick’s third but Lewis Hamilton’s goal for Midhurst ensured it was 3-3 at half-time.

Nine minutes into the second half a clumsy tackle by Southwick’s George Turrell led to a Midhurst penalty.

Hamilton converted it for what turned out to be the winner.

Kevin White was replaced by Luke Sheldrick while Andy Newton came on for Asare.

MIDHURST: Knight, Glue, White, Farr, Hyde, Dreckman, Hamilton, Dormer, Wimble, Norgate, Asare. Subs: Sheldrake, Newton.

TED DUMMER