Littlehampton hit four to beat Clymping

Littlehampton manager John Suter was pleased with his team’s performance, but also expressed sympathy for Clymping’s plight.

He said: “We could have won by more, we were quite profligate but it was pleasing to win and to keep the clean sheet, our first this season. Hopefully, we can push on from here, but I feel nothing but sympathy for Clymping. They’re in a struggle, but they’re a decent club and I wish them well for the rest of the season.”

Barney Boutwood put Golds ahead on 33 minutes, and after Nathan Peacock had an effort saved, Jason Jarvis doubled Golds advantage on 65 minutes.

Matt Russell slotted the third from Gary Young’s cross soon afterwards, before Golds added the fourth after Ross McKay’s defence-splitting pass found Peacock, who crossed for Jarvis to fire home 10 minutes from time.

Keeper Dean Fuller made his Golds debut. Clymping’s best chances fell to Kevin Budge, who shot wide, and Drew Moore, who went close.

Clymping joint manager Phil Churchill said: “It was a huge step backwards and it’s not happening for us at the minute.

“We need to sit down with the players and have a serious chat about things. It’s frustrating and not good enough and we didn’t believe we could get anything out of it.

“We raise our game against the top sides, but when it comes to the winnable games we’re never up to it. It’s hugely frustrating, but credit to Littlehampton, they’re a good side and fully deserved the win. I want a response against Mile Oak on Saturday.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: Fuller; Young, McKay, Hazell, Wollers; Peacock, Russell, O’Hagan, Collender; Jarvis, Boutwood. Subs: Bennett (Collender 35 inj), Gaskin (Wollers 50), Beadle (Russell 76).

CLYMPING: Campbell; Chad Milner, Hotson, Palmer, Johnson; Atkins, Millar, Tigwell, James; Budge, Moore. Subs: Matthews (James 70), Lee (Tigwell 80), Jarrett, Churchill.