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Yet again The Chequer's profligacy in front of goal cost
them dearly. Chequer created eight excellent scoring chances
yet converted only one in a game we should have won comfortably.
Sports played some fine football, and
they took the lead after 20 minutes when Adam Price's
weak headed clearance from a Sports corner fell straight
to a Rustington player who smashed home from 20 yards.
Chequer had numerous chances to draw level, but Warren
Partridge twice hit the post, and brother Lewis tamely
shot at the keeper from eight yards out. Sports also hit
the post and despite Chequer creating more chances the
first half was a fairly even affair.
The second half was a different story.
Whilst Sports were dangerous on the break, Chequer camped
themselves in the Sports half, creating chance after chance.
Warren outdid himself by managing to hit the post a third
time and Tom Pickford blazed wide from six yards after
excellent work by Si Price had left him with just the
keeper to beat. The Rustington keeper also made a couple
of good reaction saves and twice goal bound efforts were
cleared off the line.
Then, halfway through the second half,
their number 14 ran from inside his own half, skipping
several challenges and his shot from 18 yards, which was
not goal bound, took an unfortunate deflection off Sean
Hourigan to leave David Kennett no chance of saving and
we were 2-0 down.
Chequer continued to dominate, whilst
Sports pace up front and in midfield was always threatening.
With three minutes left we were lucky to see a Sport's
effort crash off the post. The resulting clearance gave
Danny Gainsford the chance to chase down the ball and
square to the unmarked Warren Partridge who finally found
the net. Unfortunately it was too late and for the second
game running, despite creating far more chances than our
opponents, we came away 2-1 losers.
Sport's didn't look as strong as last
year, but we must give them credit as, although they were
under the kosh for most of the second half, they have
some fine footballers and, despite our domination of chances
and possession, arguably played the better football. We
look forward to the return match later in the season.
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Squad:
(4-4-2)
David Kennett
Richard Wilkie
(booked)
Adam Price
Sean Hourigan
Steve Duffett
Tom Pickford
Lewis Partridge
Danny Gainsford
Adam Searle
Si Price
Warren Partridge
Goalscorers:
Warren Partridge
M.O.M.:
Sean Hourigan
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