Oak score at good times in derby win

Oak netted twice in the space of six minutes either side of the half-hour mark and then again just before the hour to wrap up a fifth successive win in all competitions.

Town’s Craig Knowles shot an early opening at Oak keeper Aaron Stenning, before Steyning had a penalty appeal waved away when they felt Kris Harding was bundled to the floor.

Steyning boss Alan Skipper felt it was a “blatant” spot-kick, while Oak manager Anthony Whittington admitted he would have wanted it to be given had it been at the other end.

Oak’s Adam Dine shot just wide, before the hosts took the lead on 28 minutes. Steyning keeper Ben Rose fisted a corner only as far as Lloyd Skinner, whose shot deflected off Ollie Pickup and into the bottom right corner.

Town’s Lee Garnham tested Stenning and Oak’s Eric Wedge-Bull had a one-on-one saved by Rose, before Oak doubled their lead. Skinner delivered a free kick from the left and Joe Whiting netted with a diving header.

Steyning’s Danny Gainsford had a header saved as the first half drew to a close.

Wedge-Bull headed home from close range on 57 minutes when Steyning failed to clear a corner to make it 3-0.

Steyning had chances to get a goal back but Jordan Peskett shot into the side netting and Garnham headed just over.

Whittington said: “We scored our goals at good times and that killed them off. They came out for the second half going for it but we we got the third and that was it, really.”

On Town’s penalty appeal at 0-0, Whittington said: “I’d have wanted the penalty if it was at the other end. It was one of those where a defender has eased a striker off the ball and is probably 50-50 if it’s a penalty or not.”

Skipper said: “It isn’t often I complain about officials’ decisions but one such decision, although it didn’t contribute to my side’s poor show, was a blatant penalty shout early in the game. That has the potential to change the course of a game.

“On speaking to the ref, he said he did not have a clear view of it but this is when he needs the help of his assistant. But by no means am I looking for an excuse because, over the 90 minutes, we simply were not good enough.”

MILE OAK: Stenning; Whiting, Gillingham, French, Hall; Skinner, Maskell, Wedge-Bull, Arnold; Dine, Pullinger. Subs: Lansdale (Pullinger 70), Pollard (Dine 75), Bridge (Arnold 88).

STEYNING: Rose, Hare, Pickup, Elms, Finch, Gainsford, Knowles, McMahon, Harding, Garnham, Clark. Subs: Asseffi (Knowles), S.Skipper (McMahon), Peskett (Harding).

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