Wick aim for home win after bizarre sending-off at Roffey

The Dragons travelled to Roffey on Saturday after beating Storrington in the Southern Combination Division One and causing an upset with victory over AFC Croydon Athletic in the FA Vase which has earned a home tie with Saltdean United in the second round qualifying. But missed chances meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

"We were the better team and created the better chances but couldn’t tuck them away. It was frustrating,’ said Wick manager Tom Simmonds. ‘We were without eight players through injury and suspension but still played well and really we should have won. We will be seeking to put that right at home to Selsey."

Both sides had a player sent off at Bartholomew Way with the hosts losing captain Matt Rendell after he brought down Dragons’ makeshift striker Johan van Driel as he burst clear.

Andy Cox failed to punish them by steering wide at the far post from the resultant free-kick but van Driel gave Wick a fifth minute lead with a lovely finish into the left-hand corner.

Roffey were lucky not to go down to nine men when Tom Cannon was kicked after an initial foul on him had been whistled and as he lay on the ground.

Alex Kew and van Driel, playing in attack because of injuries to leading scorer Dan Simmonds and Scott Murfin, both struck the woodwork before the break and Kieran Playle-Howard went close from distance and was denied by the home goalkeeper as he broke through.

Roffey substitute Archie Goddard, signed from Broadbridge Heath the previous day, equalised 13 minutes from time and Ryan Barrett was then bizarrely sent off for swearing at one of his teammates.