Own goal settles local derby between Billingshurst and Roffey

Even though Billingshurst were back to close to full strength, the first 20 minutes of the game was very fragmented with few chances although Billingshurst keeper Luis Corriea had to make one excellent stop low to his left.

The home side started to make inroads and had a very loud shout for a penalty but the game got to half-time with few clear chances; Roffey left the field at the interval seemingly happy they’d controlled the Billingshurst attack and indeed 0-0 was a fair reflection of the game.

The second half saw a change in pattern with ‘hurst looking more threatening and after 55 minutes took the lead. Ricardo Fernandes (who gave the Roffey full backs a hard time through the game) latched onto a through pass. Panic ensued and the Roffey centre half rattled in an own goal from 12 yards out via a post but past his own keeper Andy Barr.

Nick Tilley then had a good opportunity but was driven wide and couldn’t find an angle to finish.

The game was still in the balance and the away team still created a number of half chances . The introduction of Luke Hickling for the last 15 minutes seemed to invigorate Billingshurst and they were unlucky not to extend their lead when Hickling hit the post. Roffey seemed to lose impetus in the last period of the game and even an extra 7 minutes from the referee was seen out comfortably.

A typical derby game that was scrappy at times which could easily have gone either way but finished Billingshurst 1 Roffey 0.

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