West Sussex Football League update: Cowfold thrash rivals Faygate

A physical Faygate started in a confident mood and had the better of the opening exchanges, taking the lead on 12 minutes from the penalty spot after Kris Harding’s foul.

Slowly Cowfold began to get their passing game going but despite creating a number of chances they took until the 43rd minute to level, Smith gratefully accepting a second chance when the ball rebounded back to him off a defender after his initial shot had been saved.

There was still time for Cowfold to net twice more before the break - Simon Pike with a fabulous strike from 25 yards before Dan Dalton crossed for James Wrigley to score with the cheekiest of flicks.

Sticking to their passing football Craig Deane showed good footwork before finding Greg Brabon to smash home a fourth into the top corner after the restart.

By now Faygate were a spent force, although credit to midfielders Tom Clarke and Dan Smith who kept going. Smith beat two players before finding the top corner for a fifth, and a minute later the same player had the easiest task of completing his hat-trick when a high Faygate clearance held up in the wind and left him with only the keeper to beat.

Smith then found Dan Dalton an another superb cross allowed Phil Marshall to wrap up the scoring with a pinpoint header.

Cowfold will hope a truly memorable performance has now made them genuine Premier League title contenders.

Premier Division

West Chiltington returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Newtown Villa as they put last week’s Hunston defeat behind them.

Chilt took an early lead when Dan Clayton powered home an fine header on 15 minutes. The visitors dominated the remainder of the first half but missed a host of good chances and they were forced to defend strongly in the second period to secure the three points.

Chilt boss Keith Tomsett said: “I was delighted with our response to a disappointing display last week. We probably scored with our hardest chance and then missed numerous chances to put the game to bed. We will need to be more clinical in the coming weeks but the result is the most important thing at this stage of the season.”

Division 5 Central

West Chiltington Reserves were given a helping hand as they defeated Petworth 3-1 with the aid of two own goals.

Chilt started brightly and were 3-0 up at the break with Lea Durant scoring in addition to the two put through their own net by the visitors. Petworth did pull a goal back early in the second half but never really threatened a comeback.