Blues gain creditable draw

The return of Nick Whiteman, Paul Henty, Josh Brown, Paul Balch and Chris Honey inspired The Blues to a highly creditable goalless draw away to top five opposition in Arundel.

Joint manager Andy Laskey said: "Arundel are a very good side and the difference between us against them and Hassocks (who thrashed Sidley 6-0 only four days previously) was the experience.

"You can cope with maybe four or five missing, but when you've got 10 missing it puts too much pressure on the youngsters who come in."

Whiteman and Henty gave a defence which had shipped 10 goals in its previous two Sussex Division One games some badly-needed solidity alongside Dave Henham.

Balch's experience perked up the midfield, Brown provided some energy on the flank and the aerial threat of the superb Honey provided a different option up-front.

Whiteman and Lewis Parsons won 50-50 tackles in the first five minutes which visibly lifted inevitably fragile confidence levels.

Fifteenth-placed Sidley were the better side during the first half and Darren Witham let fly with a tremendous 25-yard shot which crashed against the crossbar.

Scott McDonald, who had a cracking game in behind the front two of Honey and Peter Baker, also went close, while Honey shaved the post with a header and fired just over sliding in to meet Brown's cross.

Arundel came into the contest far more with the wind at their backs after the break without ever threatening a repeat of their 5-1 victory at Gullivers during November.

United had to deal with a series of excellently delivered corners at one stage, but goalkeeper Peter Newstead wasn't required to produce anything too much out of the ordinary.

At the other end, Honey was again not far away, Whiteman flashed a half-volley just too high and McDonald had an effort saved.