Five-star Southwick win at Little Common

A forgettable first half gave way to an eventful second period, during which all eight goals were scored.

Common opened the scoring and netted the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One game’s last two goals, but conceded five times in 25 minutes in between.

Southwick probably shaded a fairly even opening 45 minutes and had the only real chance right at the end, but Common goalkeeper Joe Turner pulled off a good save to deny a clean through Tom Donnelly.

Prior to that, Turner scrambled across to his right to keep out a good 30-yard free kick by Elliott Tucker. Common’s best moments were a 30-yard attempt by Cam Burgon which wasn’t far away and Jake Sherwood’s blocked shot following a Russell Eldridge free kick.

The game exploded into life once Crone put Common ahead in the 49th minute, racing through and rounding goalkeeper Aaron Howard before firing into the empty net for his 30th goal of the season in all competitions.

Common’s lead, however, lasted just three minutes. Ross Myers skipped past Eldridge in the box and although his shot was parried by Turner, Tom Donnelly tapped in the rebound.

Two minutes later, Common were behind. Turner did well to keep out a thunderous half-volley from Jordan Peskett after Common failed to clear a Tucker free kick, but Dean Smith stabbed home the loose ball.

Southwick looked in control against a Common side playing its fifth game in 11 days and Turner had to backpeddle smartly to tip over Tom Shelley’s speculative effort from fully 40 yards.

The visitors then scored three goals in seven minutes to put the result firmly beyond doubt. Donnelly made it 3-1 with a delightful curling shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the D in the 71st minute.

Eldridge then couldn’t deal with an awkward lofted ball forward and the impressive Myers scored with a sublime lob. Southwick captain Cameron McClymont came up from the back to score his team’s fifth with a free header from another Tucker free kick.

Common did at least keep going to the end and got one back in the 80th minute when Dan Estherby’s free kick was nodded down for Liam Foster to score with a close range finish.

Lewis Hole headed against the far post from an Estherby cross before Estherby completed the scoring in the third minute of added time, tapping home after Crone’s shot from outside the box was parried by Howard diving to his right.

Wickers boss John Kilgarriff praised his side’s performance and said: “It was a really pleasing performance and we’ve had a fantastic season so far.

“We weren’t clinical enough in the first half but took our chances in the second half.”

Sixth-placed Wickers entertain third-placed Oakwood on Saturday.

SOUTHWICK: Howard; Tucker, C.McClymont, Lipscombe, McLennan; Piner, Smith, Shelley, Peskett, Myers; Donnelly. Subs: Green (McLennan 70), Thomas, Bilal (Peskett, Smith 75).

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