Lose some, win some: Little Common’s quick response pleases Eldridge

Common endured a disappointing afternoon on Saturday as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Billingshurst in difficult conditions.

On a challenging playing surface, both sides found it difficult to produce flowing football, with the contest becoming a scrappy affair for long periods.

Common competed well but were ultimately punished for two mistakes, with the hosts taking advantage to secure all three points.

Despite enjoying some promising spells, the visitors were unable to find the cutting edge required to get themselves back into the contest.

A disallowed Kenny Pogue goal for a marginal offside decision and Freddie Warren’s teasing effort across the face of the goal was the closest that the Commoners came to finding the net.

The conditions and pitch made life tough for both sides, but Common will have been disappointed not to have adapted better as Billingshurst managed the game effectively and protected their advantage.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Russell Eldridge’s side,but Common clinched their first league win of the season with a much-improved Bank Holiday Monday performance as they secured a deserved 3-1 victory over Seaford Town.

Common dominated large spells of the opening half but were unable to turn their superiority into goals. Sam Ellis forced the visiting goalkeeper into a save, while Nathan Crabb was unable to convert another good opportunity following a dangerous delivery from the left.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 54th minute. A Russell Eldridge free kick was cleared only as far as the edge of the area, where 16-year-old Elijah Shute rifled an excellent effort into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later Common doubled their advantage, with Eldridge again the provider. His free kick was met by Paul Feakins, who headed home to register his third goal in four games. Common effectively made the points safe in the 65th minute when Harvey Mapstone powered home a header following another delivery from the left to make it 3-0.

Crabb later saw an effort saved at the near post as the hosts threatened to extend their advantage, before Seaford grabbed a late consolation to deny Common a clean sheet. The result nevertheless completed an encouraging afternoon for Common, who collected a welcome first three league points of the campaign following a difficult opening few weeks of the season.

Boss Eldridge said. “I was really pleased with the reaction from the players. Saturday was disappointing because we didn’t perform to the levels we know we are capable of, so we wanted to see a response, and I thought we got that.

"We were much better from the first whistle. We played with more energy and intensity, moved the ball well and controlled large parts of the game. The only frustration at half-time was that we hadn’t taken one of our chances, but we told the players to keep doing the right things and eventually the goals came.

"It was great to see Elijah get his goal. He’s only 16 and took it really well, and that gave us the lift we needed. Paul is in a good run of goals at the moment and Harvey’s header was another excellent finish. It’s been a difficult start to the season and we’re still developing as a group, so getting that first league win is important. We’re not going to get carried away with one result, but the performance was a big step in the right direction.

"The challenge now is to build on it. We’ve shown what we are capable of when we play with that energy and commitment.”