Freeman at the double for Common

Goals in either half from Mark Freeman were sufficient for the Recreation Ground outfit to make it four points from two Division Three games.

"It was a good result," said chairman Ken Cherry. "I think we did enough to win it. They had a couple of chances and didn't put them away, but we defended well and learnt a bit from the week before (when they were pegged back during the second half of their 1-1 draw with Forest)."

It was Pottage who started the match stronger, however, as they looked for a second successive win in their bid to make an immediate return to senior football.

The home side tried to play football, but lacked an end product despite the efforts of former Southwick striker Carl Dunk. Pottage missed three glorious opportunities to take the lead early on as they mis-kicked in front of goal, had an effort cleared off the line and hit the Common post.

As in the previous week, though, it was Common that took the lead in the 30th minute when Warren Parsons slipped a pass into Freeman, who showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and give Common the advantage at the break.

Pottage came out searching for an equaliser in the second half and were duly rewarded when Dunk hit the ball past the oncoming Matt Shoesmith on the hour.

The equaliser only served to spur Common on, though, and they enjoyed their best spell of the match as they went in search of a winner. And that coveted goal came in the 70th minute when Brian Ray was released down the left and his ball set up Freeman to score into an empty net.

By this time Pottage were becoming frustrated and were unable to break down a resolute Common defence well-marshalled by Phil Henderson.