GOLDS HIT THE MARK LATE ON FOR VICTORY

GOALS IN the last 10 minutes from Mark Hinshelwood '” his first for the club '” and Mark Windsor gave Littlehampton their third successive home win on Saturday, and their seventh home victory in their last eight league matches. The win was slightly marred, though, by a nasty head injury sustained by Golds defender Mark McCallum.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2005, 10:33 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:01 BST

McCallum went up for for a header midway through the second half, and clashed heads with a Hassocks forward. He was taken to hospital by Golds assistant manager Andy Baumfield, with Mark Vickers overtaking team-control with manager Carl Stabler unavailable.

McCallum cut open his eyebrow, with bone visible, and required stitches in and outside of his eye, although the stitches were expected to be removed at the end of this week.

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In terribly windy conditions, Golds battled against the gusts in the first half, but fell behind to the last kick of the first period. After a quick break down the right wing, Pat Harding stole in to put Hassocks ahead.

Both teams had created chances in the first half, with Golds keeper Alex Bryant making one superb save. Mark Windsor went closest for Littlehampton with a far-post header, and Grant Vanson fired a 25-yard effort wide.

Windsor missed a great chance to equalise early in the second half, when he turned his marker but shot wide left-footed.

With time running out, Mickey Turner went through one-on-one with Bryant, but the keeper came out on top to keep Golds in the game.

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The save proved vital, as with just 10 minutes left Mark Hinsh-elwood treated Golds fans to a collectors' item, with his first goal for the club in his second season. He collected the ball on the halfway line and ran forward 15 yards before his cross got caught in the wind, and ended up sailing over Hassocks keeper Joel Harding's head and into the top corner.

Then in injury time, Golds got the winner. Windsor headed a cross from the left against the post, but was quickest to react to the rebound to give his side all three points with his eighth goal since joining in November from Eastbourne Borough.

Coach Vickers said: "The whole team played well, and with the amount of chances we created I think we were deserved winners. Peter Brackley made a good impact when he came on as a substitute, and defensively we were resolute."

The win keeps Golds in third place, and they have closed the gap on leaders Horsham YMCA to 11 points.

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Last Wednesday, in a game of few chances, Littlehampton came out on top against Worthing United with two excellent finishes. Windsor converted the first on 16 minutes following Lee Gibbs and Phil Churchill combining on the left.

Then with two minutes left, Gibbs cut into the box and fired left-footed into the right-hand top corner.

Littlehampton do not have a game on Saturday because Sussex entertain Devon in the South West Counties Championship, but are away to Pagham in the Brighton Charity Cup second round on Tuesday.

LITTLEHAMPTON v Hassocks: Bryant; Williams, McCallum, Hazell, Young, M.Hinshelwood; Churchill, Pearce, Vanson, Gibbs; Windsor. Subs: Brackley (Gibbs 60), Torode (McCallum 65), Rayner, Loversidge, West.

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v Worthing United: Bryant; Williams, Young, Hazell, M.Hinshelwood; Brackley, Pearce, Rayner, Gibbs; Windsor, Churchill. Subs: Torode (Brackley 72), Justo (Churchill 80), Groves (Gibbs 89), Loversidge, Baker.