McDowell salvages a late point for Southwick

Andy McDowell continued his scintillating scoring run to ensure Southwick Football Club picked up a point at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday.
Andy McDowell's scoring run continued with a hat-trick at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday. Picture: Simon NewsteadAndy McDowell's scoring run continued with a hat-trick at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday. Picture: Simon Newstead
Andy McDowell's scoring run continued with a hat-trick at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday. Picture: Simon Newstead

McDowell’s hat-trick, which included a leveller five minutes into stoppage-time, helped Wickers to a 3-3 Southern Combination League Division 1 draw with Midhurst.

Southwick had led twice on the day, before opposition skipper Gary Norgate struck ten minutes from time to fire the home side ahead for the first time.

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However, McDowell salvaged a late point with his 11th goal in just four league matches.

Southwick manager John Kilgarriff felt his side should have been out of sight early on, but showed great character to snatch a point.

He said: “We were brilliant in the first half and could have been so far in front.

“Going in just a goal up gave them hope and they got back in it twice.

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“Midhurst were just pumping long balls and were very physical.

“I think a few of the lads were intimidated and let it get to them a little in the second half.

“Great credit to my team once again, though, we kept going to the end and Andy was on hand to get something for us.”

Wickers got off to a flying start and went ahead on the half-hour. Jack Piner’s clever chipped pass sent McDowell clear and he thundered a shot into the bottom corner.

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After missing several chances in the first half, Southwick were pegged back ten minutes after the break when Scott Dormer got Midhurst level.

McDowell is proving impossible to stop at present and he fired Wickers back in front on the hour.

The home side kept going and after Brad Stevens could only parry to Joel Stevens, Midhurst were level at 2-2 with 20 minutes to go.

Midhurst skipper Norgate then bundled home ten minutes from time as a remarkable turnaround looked to be complete.

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However with time running out, McDowell had other ideas as he was on hand to fire home five minutes into stoppage-time. That was a 13th goal this season for the forward as he salvaged an unlikely point for his side.

SOUTHWICK: Stevens; Tucker, Lipscombe, Cook, McLennan; Smith, Petts, Piner; Myers, McDowell, Groom. Subs: Bidwell (McLennan), Dunk (Groom), Kilgarriff.

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