Mussels made to work hard as they bounce back with victory

After falling to a maiden league loss at Horsham YMCA last time out, efforts from Jack Hartley, George Gaskin and Rob O’Toole made it nine Premier Division victories in ten this season with a 3-0 success over Newhaven.

A rampant first half display should have seen Mussels out of sight but a brace of strikes in the final ten minutes made sure of it on a nervy afternoon.

Shoreham boss Bryan O’Toole felt the second half showing wasn’t good enough, though, getting back to winning ways was most important for him.

He said: “

Mussels were quick out of the blocks and ahead inside three minutes. Charlie Pitcher’s first time ball over the top found Hartley and he slotted past Dockers goalkeeper Jake Buss.

Newhaven had Buss to thank for keeping the score at one until the interval.

On the half-hour, Rob O’Toole lead a quick break, before finding Pitcher, who squared for Gaskin only to see his shot parried wide by Buss.

Scott Edwards was dispossessed by Pitcher seven minutes later, he then bore down on goal but once again Buss was on hand to deny Shoreham.

A dominant opening 45 minutes was then rounded off with a woeful miss from Gaskin.

Ryan Storrie’s clever ball sent Gaskin clear but, after rounding Buss, he saw an effort come back out of a post.

Dockers were much improved in the second and had a couple of great chances to get level, with both falling to Ryan Walton.

First, on the hour, Scott Taylor went clear before trying to round Mussels goalkeeper Josh Heyburn, his outstretched arm got the ball, only to fall to Walton who blazed over on the rebound.

Walton’s second opening came with 11 minutes left to play. David Altendore’s peach of a cross found the forward but he headed just over from eight yards out.

That miss proved costly as Mussels made sure of all three points a minute later.

Joe Keenhan’s clever reverse pass found Hartley, he then pulled back for Gaskin to fire home.

Extra gloss was added to the scoreline three minutes from time, substitute Jamie Craddock saw his corner crashed home first-time by Rob O’Tooole to earn his side a 3-0 victory.

SHOREHAM: Heyburn; Zydonik, Pearson, Familton, Hand; Hartley, Keehan, Storrie, Pitcher; O’Toole; Gaskin. Subs: Craddock (Pitcher), Stevens (Zydonik), Bunker (Gaskin),Tuck, Measor.