Video: Patience was rewarded, says Common boss

Little Common Football Club player-manager Russell Eldridge felt his team's patience was rewarded in the Easter Monday victory over Bexhill United.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Mar 2016, 16:43 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 21:54 BST

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Little Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon SmalldonLittle Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon
Little Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon

Common trailed for some 35 minutes before three goals in the final 20 minutes gave them a 3-1 win.

“We said at half time about being patient if the goal didn’t come in the first five or 10 minutes,” said Eldridge. “We were patient, and we got one, and obviously it became two and three. I think if we maybe scored early in the second half, we might have got four or five.

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“I guess the longer the game goes on, and the more they chuck themselves in front of the ball and the more you’re not getting shots on target and the ‘keeper’s not making saves, you do think ‘maybe it’s not going to be our day’, but we kept on probing and remained patient - which was good from our point of view. Once we got the first goal, I was always confident we’d get the second and third.

Little Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon SmalldonLittle Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon
Little Common player-manager Russell Eldridge keeps a close eye on Bexhill United forward Jacob Shelton. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon

“Before the game I would’ve probably taken a 1-0 deficit against the wind because it was so strong, but in the context of the first half I was disappointed because I thought we were the better team in the first half.”

Asked if he felt the red card picked up by Bexhill player-manager Marc Munday when the score was 1-1 had a bearing on the result, Eldridge said: “Possibly. Obviously it leaves you a player short and against that strong wind it was hard enough work with 11 players on the pitch. We’ll just concentrate on ourselves and the way we performed, and I was happy with that.”

Common’s next three games are all at home, starting against Selsey on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and Southwick on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

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Steve Morris is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury and Nick Richardson (ankle) is doubtful. Dom Bristow and Liam Foster should return.

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Related topics:Bexhill UnitedBexhill