Scrimshaw and Cope sink South Park as Bognor Regis Town make FA Trophy progress
The Rocks eased into the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy with a strong display against South Park (Reigate) at a windy, rainy Nyewood Lane.
Cope and Ollie Lovell combined early on but Cope’s shot along the byline was straight into the arms of Daniel Bracken.
Bognor couldn't clear their lines and Finlay Johnson’s forward pass rebounded to Tom Jackson, who comitted Tommy Scott into a save on 13 minutes.
The Rocks took the lead when they were awarded a penalty thanks to Scrimshaw's run which ended when he was fouled by Adam Morley. Scrimshaw stepped up to net his first goal for the club from the spot, hitting it low into the bottom corner on 15 minutes.
They scored again on the break as Lennie Smith slid it to Cope, who ran through and put a shot below the keeper’s legs and into the net on 22 minutes.
Bognor did have attacks to deal with from the visitors and Scott had to dash out to clear one dangerous ball.
Smith pounced again, outpacing his marker before running on and crossing it into the area. Henry McDonald dived to try to head it, but the ball was just out of reach.
McDonald picked out Smith and from the edge of the box, Smith hit it powerfully and Bracken got something on it to divert onto the bar on 27 minutes.
Ethan Robb's cross found Lovell who headed it back inside. Liam Webber was there but he was blocked by a last ditch challenge from a South Park defender.
Cope combined with Ben Sheaf down the left. Sheaf almost found Scrimshaw but instead it flew to Smith who clipped the bar with his fierce effort.
After the break, Ted Sullivan struck one wide from the edge of the area. Darnell Goather-Braithwaite turned into space and fired the ball over the bar from outside the area on 60 minutes.
Smith and Finley Walsh-Smith were replaced by Luke Pardoe and Kaya Tshaka on the hour as Bognor looked for some extra energy.
Tshaka's 69th minute corner was headed back into the area but Lovell diverted it just over the bar. Pardoe's corner hit the top of the net in the swirling wind. Louie Williams replaced Scrimshaw on 72 minutes for Bognor.
For South Park, Jerry O'Sullivan fired a shot high over the bar from the edge of the area following a quick attack.
Bognor extended their lead though on 75 minutes. Pardoe played the ball across and it was dummied by Tshaka, who found Cope cutting inside from the left. Cope ran on and shot low and into the bottom corner.
George Vincent ran on to a long ball and beat Liam Webber. His low strike at the end of the run was deflected wide by Scott.
On 85 minutes Pardoe beat two men before shooting low from outside the area. Bracken was equal to it.
Bognor welcome Moneyfields on Bank Holiday Monday in Isthmian South Central action.