Point moves Little Common off bottom of table
Little Common picked up a valuable point and moved off the bottom of the table with a goalless draw with Horsham YM at a windswept Recreation Ground.
Common had the advantage of the strong wind during the opening half and made a bright start, forcing a flurry of early corners as they looked to put the visitors under pressure.
Sam Ellis came closest to breaking the deadlock when he dispossessed a Horsham defender before turning and firing towards goal, only to see his effort well saved by the visiting goalkeeper.
Common also saw a strong penalty appeal waved away when captain Paul Feakins appeared to be fouled inside the area.
At the other end, Fletcher Chapman was called into action and produced a smart save with his feet to deny YM with their best opportunity of the opening period.
Chances proved harder to come by after the interval, with neither side able to create much in the way of clear-cut opportunities.
The best chance of the second half fell to the visitors when Russell Eldridge miskicked an attempted clearance, allowing a YM forward to race through on goal. However, Chapman stood firm and the resulting effort was fired straight at the Common goalkeeper.
Common continued to push for a winner and sent a couple of dangerous deliveries into the Horsham penalty area, but the visiting defence managed to clear the danger.
Neither side could find a late breakthrough as Common had to settle for a point, but the clean sheet and draw were enough to lift them off the foot of the table.
Common go to East Grinstead tomorrow.
Common boss Russell Eldridge said: “I thought a draw was probably a fair result. The conditions made it difficult for both sides and there weren’t too many clear-cut chances in the game, but it was important that we came away with something.
“We had a decent spell in the first half with the wind behind us and probably needed to make a little more of that. We felt we had a strong shout for a penalty, but it wasn’t to be.
“Defensively, I thought we were solid. Fletcher made a couple of important saves when we needed him and it was pleasing to get a clean sheet because we’ve worked hard as a group.
“It’s another point on the board and it moves us off the bottom of the table. We know there is still plenty of work to do, but our performances over the last few games have been encouraging and we need to keep building on that.”