Training pays off as Bosham win at Sidlesham

Sussex Lge div three

Bosham had worked on defending at training during the week – and they were rewarded with their first league clean sheet of the season.

Goals either side of the break by Kieran Hartley and Joe Hancock helped them achieve their second league win on the trot.

A bright opening saw two contrasting styles: Bosham with a short passing game and Sidlesham with a more physical, longer game.

There were plenty of early chances. In the ninth minute Andy Hounsome saw a neat volley cleared off the line after a great cross from Graham Dowden. A minute later the third of Sidlesham’s long-range shots in the opening ten minutes clipped the bar.

Both Bosham’s centre-backs had already been called upon to make timely interceptions and Sidlesham centre-half Joe Leggatt was commanding for the hosts, yet you still felt a goal was coming.

Bosham looked the more likely to grab it with Marco Gambierdini and Hartley running at pace and linking well with their full-backs, and Hartley scored a fantastic goal, swivelling and hitting a shot sweetly on the bounce into the corner from 20 yards out.

The stand-in striker looked the most potent threat for Bosham in the first half as the away team had numerous chances to double their lead. Yet a mixture of good saves and narrow misses meant 1-0 was the half-time score.

The home team began to look more dangerous in front of goal and it took a brilliant header off the line from full-back Andy Probee, a former Sidlesham boss, to maintain the lead.

Then, after failing to take their chances, the hosts fell a further goal behind. Gambierdini put a teasing cross into the area which flummoxed everyone except for ice-cool Hancock, who guided it in.

Bosham had a penalty appeal turned down after good work from Hancock led to Gambierdini being scythed down by Barnes.

At the other end, keeper Lee Arnell saved brilliantly from a back-post header and another chance fell to a Sidlesham substitute two but he sliced it wide.

Overall, Bosham were worthy of their win after persevering with their passing game despite a bobbly pitch.

BOSHAM: Arnell, Blanshard, Probee, Grantham, Carragher, Philips, Hounsome, Gambierdini, Dowden (Bracher,66), Hancock, Hartley.

SIMON PRYOR