Second-half Arundel surge sinks East Preston at Lashmar

On a beautiful, sunny afternoon, the contest began evenly. East Preston won an early free kick, delivered by Morgan Day, but the visitors dealt comfortably with the danger.

Arundel registered the first effort on target when Oliver Humphries forced a routine save from East Preston goalkeeper Eman Nwosu. Matt Storm then tried his luck for the visitors but sent his effort over the crossbar.

East Preston broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Maciek Kason produced an excellent save to deny Frankie Biewood, but Elliot Millman reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home off the post to put the hosts ahead.

Arundel continued to threaten, with Jaan Stanley delivering an excellent low cross into the penalty area, although none of his teammates could apply the finishing touch. The visitors also appealed for a penalty following a challenge inside the area, but the referee waved away their protests.

The equaliser arrived shortly before half-time. Another dangerous delivery from Stanley was turned into his own net by East Preston defender Luke Stevens, sending the sides into the interval level.

Arundel emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and quickly took control of the contest.

Substitute Luke Fenlon put the visitors ahead with a superb volley from around 25 yards. He soon struck again after being picked out by an excellent pass from Steve Herbert, firing another volley from approximately 20 yards into the bottom corner to give Arundel a 3–1 lead.

East Preston almost responded through Millman, but Kason made another fine save to turn his effort behind. Morgan Day delivered the resulting corner, which Lewis Hamilton headed clear before also dealing with the follow-up ball.

The hosts’ task became even more difficult when Luwayne Greenwood was shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge on Fenlon. The Arundel substitute required several minutes of treatment before eventually returning to his feet.

Arundel took advantage of their numerical superiority and added a fourth goal through Hamilton, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom-right corner.

East Preston continued to search for a route back into the match. A free-kick awarded following a foul was cleared by Arundel’s impressive defence.

At the opposite end, Devontee Williams nearly made it five, but Nwosu produced a strong save. Zion McLeod then came closest to reducing the deficit for the home side when his effort struck the top-left corner of the goal frame.

Arundel’s dominant second-half performance ultimately proved decisive as they departed Lashmar with a convincing victory and all three points.

Full-time: East Preston 1–4 Arundel

East Preston: Eman Nwosu, Josh Ramsden, Luke Stevens, (og 35) Morgan Day, Cove Hastings, Quincy Welsh, Aless Wisdom, Frankie Biewood, Zion McLeod, Luwayne Greenwood, Elliot Millman (Goal 24)

Substitutes: Oni Muramboguhwa, Tom Edwards, Jon Kusaka, Harry Teasel.

Arundel: Maciek Kason, Levi Martin, Steve Herbert, Billy Ground, Daegan Walsh, Oliver Claydon, Matt Storm, Lewis Hamilton, Goal (89) Oliver Humphries, Liam Brady, Jaan Stanley.

Substitutes: Sam Perason, Luke Fenlon, Goal (56,61) Cal Stobart, Rio Long, Devontee Williams.