Little Common hold nerve to progress in Sussex Senior Cup on penalties

With the scores locked at 2-2 after an entertaining 90 minutes, Common were faultless from the spot, converting all five of their penalties to seal a 5-3 shootout victory.

Manager Russell Eldridge was without a number of players but was able to shuffle his pack, and his side made a dream start by taking the lead after just four minutes.

A delivery into the Forest Row penalty area was met by the head of Sam Ellis, who expertly guided the ball beyond the visiting goalkeeper to put Common in front.

The hosts almost doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, only to see an effort cleared off the line.

It was an end-to-end encounter, however, and Common goalkeeper Fletcher Chapman was called into action to make a good save from close range before the hosts survived a goalmouth scramble.

Forest Row's pressure eventually paid off in the 17th minute when a low drive found the corner of the net to level the scores.

Both sides continued to create opportunities, but it was Common who regained the lead on 31 minutes when Ellis struck for the second time to complete his brace.

Forest Row responded again, though, grabbing their second equaliser on the stroke of half-time to send the sides into the interval level at 2-2.

The second half remained an open contest, with chances at both ends, but neither side could find the decisive fifth goal and the tie went straight to penalties.

Common were clinical from 12 yards. Kenny Pogue, Lewis Unwin, Russell Eldridge, Ryan Spiers and Ellis all converted their spot-kicks, while Forest Row fired their third penalty over the bar.

That miss proved decisive as Ellis stepped up to dispatch Common's fifth and complete a 5-3 shootout success, securing a place in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup.

Little Common manager Russell Eldridge was pleased with his side’s performance and the character shown to progress in the Sussex Senior Cup. “I thought it was another really positive performance from us,” he said. “We were missing a number of players, so we had to shuffle things around a little bit, but everyone who came in played their part.

“We made a great start and Sam took his two goals really well. We probably had opportunities to put ourselves in a stronger position, but Forest Row carried a threat and it was a really open, entertaining cup tie.

“I was disappointed with the timing of their second equaliser, right on the stroke of half-time, but I thought we responded well after the break. When it went to penalties, the lads showed great composure. To score all five was excellent and Fletcher was a presence in goal as well. That’s two good performances in the space of a few days, which is encouraging. W

"We’ve got to try to take that into our league games now and build some momentum.”

Little Common host Hassocks next on Tuesday night.