Arundel FC

A battling performance by the Mullets in difficult conditions earned them a much needed 3 points with a 2-0 win away at Hailsham Town.  A goal in each half from Matt Axell and David Walker secured the win.

On a night where a thick fog threatened the gamegoing ahead, a goal in each half from Matt Axell andDave Walker’s second in two games were enough to give the team the win.

The away side started the game the better,managing to get the ball down on a testing playing surface and created the first clear cut chance of thegame when a good through ball by the returning Matt Huckett found Russ Hardwell in a one onesituation. The Hailsham keeper stayed big thoughand managed to block the wingers effort.

The defence was still looking slightly shaky, as the hosts enjoyed a good 10 minute spell, still reeling from the 4 goals concended at home to Hassocksin the previous game but the ball didn’t drop to anyof the home forwards and when it did the Mullets defence were getting bodies in the way.

The break through came ten minutes before half time. Following a good team move, Josh Biggs’ run across the box and back heel gave Matt Axell a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box and his low drive beat the keeper low down into the far corner.

The second half nearly started in disaterous fashion for the Mullets as a free kick fromt the Hailsham right in the opening minutes flashed across the goal and just wide with no home players able to applythe finishing touch.

Dave Walker fresh from his goal at the weekend then had a goal disollowed for a push in the box before his strike that did count with 20 minutes remaining that gave the reds the breathing space they needed.

Gary Norgate was fouled on the edge of the area and Russ Hardwell stepped up to take the free kick. He hit it low and hard across the keeper who could only parry it with the ball bouncing awkwardly infront of him and Walker pounced from inside the six yard box to bundle the ball home.

After that the visitors were content with what they had and set their sights on securing a confidence boosting clean sheet.

The Stringers pushed more people forward in an attempt to get back into the game, this bought about opportunities on the break for the away side who could have added more in the final minutes with Josh Biggs missing two presentable opportunites, while Ryan Alexander nearly pulled one back for the home side after a mistake by Axell allowed him a shooting chance but O’Connor clawed the ball away from the near post and out for a corner.

The final whistle followed ending a perfect night of 3 points, a win, clean sheet and no injuries.

Team: O’Connor; Sneller (Hall), Grantham, Walker, Pickford; Grove, Biggs(J)(capt), Hardwell, Axel; Norgate, Huckett (Biggs(R)).