Three ‘cup finals’ ahead as Littlehampton Town scramble to stay in Isthmian League

There was no shame in losing to title winners Leatherhead 2-0 at home on Saturday. However, the realities of that loss meant a tough away fixture at play-off bound Moneyfields turned into a must-win occasion.

For 45 minutes the Golds were very much in the ascendency, but a bruising second half saw Moneys take a 4-0 win.

Around 30 Golds fans made the short trek io Hampshire for this intriguing tie with one of the South Central division’s surprise packages. The John Jenkins Stadium, just a stone’s throw from Fratton Park, is perhaps the newest on the Isthmian circuit.

Under their young manager Callum Glen Moneys have won 24 games and can now look forward to the excitement of play-off action later this month.

Under stunning blue skies and mild Easter temperatures Littlehampton looked eager and hungry in the opening moments. Kieron Pamment wriggled free to first test the keeper on three minutes.

On 20 minutes a brilliant cross from the right was met by Marcel Powell, who couldn’t quite keep the header down. Powell then sent in a wicked cross along the floor, Pamment inches from applying the finishing touch.

A dominant Golds half finished with an almighty goalmouth scramble which somehow didn’t cross the line.

Moneys made two half-time substitutions and immediately were a different team – calmness restored at the back with neat and precise passes. Golds were suddenly chasing shadows.

The first goal arrived on 51 minutes amid slight hints of offside but Golds had no answer to an excellent move down the right. James Franklyn hit a fierce cross shot which Billy Collings did well to parry. Simba Mlambo was on hand to nod home from a yard.

Eight minutes later Alfie Bridgman scored a superb second curling the ball past Collings. The game was sealed on 76 minutes when Faris Khallouqi was allowed to run and shoot into the bottom corner. Franklyn rubbed salt in the wound with a fourth late on.

Full credit to Moneyfields, deserved winners on the day. For all Golds connections it was a sobering day at the office – 19 league losses and 79 goals conceded has left its mark, leaving the club rooted to a late season relegation battle.

Hand said: “We were very good in that first half but once again didn’t take our chances, the damage was done as we knew they would only get better.

"If we had scored it would have given us something to hold on to.

"We have three games left and we need to win them all.”

The South Central relegation battle is a real bunfight with Binfield,Bedfont, Ascot, Met Police and the Golds all involved with just three games to go. The Golds now repare for a massive home game against Hartley Wintney on Saturday.

A win would give them a real shot in the arm.