Selsey sunk by sucker punch

A draw may have been a fair result but Peacehaven grabbed the winner to end Selsey’s four-match unbeaten run.

Selsey manager Richard Towers felt his side deserved more, but insisted there were positives.

“In the first half we showed them too much respect, we sat a little bit too deep and invited them on to us, and we started the second half poorly too, but once we started to take the game to them we had the better of them.

“The whole team worked hard, but Peacehaven are a good side and are looking to win the title this year. We’re a new side and we knew it was going to be tough but we’re showing improvement every week - we should be happy we’re competing with the top sides.”

The first half started with neither team really taking control and both defences looking solid, especially Selsey centre-back Mark Lee, who commanded the backline well throughout.

Peacehaven looked the most likely to score but could not create any clear chances despite applying pressure, as poor finishing and a few good saves from Selsey keeper Sam Joyce meant it was 0-0 at half-time.

The second half began like the first ended, Peacehaven applying pressure but not creating much in the final third and Selsey sitting too deep, but Selsey started to come back into the game, and created a few chances.

Rob Wimble had a chance to open the scoring on the 83rd minute, his first shot being saved at point-blank range and his second being tipped onto the crossbar.

Two minutes later Peacehaven had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed after the referee saw a foul on the keeper. The Peacehaven bench felt the decision was very harsh.

Moments later, Ryan Bradley fired in from close range for the Peacehaven winner after the ball was played across the line. Selsey applied late pressure but were unable to find an equaliser and Peacehaven held on.

Towers said: “We’re confident going into the next few games - we’re competing with the best sides and we’ve improved a lot from the first three games. We have players to come back so we should start to climb the league.”

SELSEY: Joyce, Hagger, Bingham, Heggarty, Lee, Miller, Giambelardini, Wood, Tower, Wimble, Monterio. Subs: Woolf, Covill, Bush, Poole, Hinshelwood.

JOSH HARRISON