Relief for Mullets as safety assured

Mullets needed three points from their final two games to be assured of safety but Shoreham’s 4-2 defeat at AFC Uckfield on Saturday means the Middle Road club can no longer over take Arundel.

Scott Tipper gave Arundel the lead from the penalty spot on 28 minutes at Redhill, before he conceded a spot-kick five minutes into the second half for a clumsy challenge and Aaron Murphy scored with the resultant penalty.

Arundel manager Brett Torode, who took over in October when Mullets were second from bottom and with just four points from 10 games, said: “It’s a big relief to stay up, we made hard of work of it and should have been safe sooner than we were.

“Scott gave away a penalty, but from then on, we should have won the game and wasted a number of chances, although their keeper made some fine saves and had a really good game.”

The first half was an even affair with both sides creating chances. Tipper gave Mullets the lead with his 37th goal of the season, before his challenge allowed Redhill to equalise from the penalty spot early in the second half. But Arundel responded well and dominated proceedings after that, only being denied by a goalkeeper in fine form.

Mullets produced some fine passing football as they ended the game with seven teenagers, showing positive signs for the future, despite lacking the cutting-edge to kill off the match and win the three points late on.

Substitute Joe Warner was one of those players who missed a late chance to grab the win in the second half, but Torode was delighted with their gutsy display.

He said: “They’re all good lads who have worked really hard, particularly Ryan Peake, who displayed real strength of character after breaking his nose and playing on until the end.”

Arundel end the season away to East Grinstead on Saturday and Torode again expects to field a young side.

He said: “There are good signs for the future with these players coming through, and we hope that next season will prove to be much better than this one.”

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; Hall, L.Walker, Windsor, Hunter; Peake, R.Biggs, J.Biggs, Jenkins; Tipper, D.Walker. Subs: Warner (D.Walker 50) Gardner (Hall 60).