Mussels win at Golds

Boddy's kick got caught in the wind, flew over Littlehampton keeper Jon Hendrick's head, hit the back post and ended up in the net.

It was the least Mussels deserved for a bright opening. In the opening minute, Shaheen Sadough's poweful effort from 15 yards hit Hendrick, post and bar but according to the match officials did not cross the line.

Richard Carter then hit a 20-yard free kick over and Darren Annis' cross-shot was well stopped by Hendrick before Boddy's goal.

Shoreham were playing with a strong wind behind them and looked to make that count with a second before half-time. From Boddy's cross on 17 minutes, Annis almost made it 2-0 but his close-range shot hit Hendrick's legs.

Tom Smith then saw a weak effort saved by Hendrick before Littlehampton came more into the game as the first half came to a close. Jehan Huet's 25-yarder was stopped by Ronan Callaghan diving to his left on 32 minutes. Then, after Tom Bird's drive was turned behind for a corner, Hodder's free header from Ryan Hudson's corner went over.

Playing against the wind, Shoreham looked to kill the game off early in the second period. Smith dragged a shot wide and Annis, through one-on-one was then denied again by Hendrick.

On 53 minutes, Mussels should have doubled their lead. Sadough's low effort was parried by Hendrick but Annis, from three yards, hit the rebound against the bar.

If that was a let-off, Golds failed to really make it count. They worked hard but failed to create a clear equalising chance. The closest they came was with eight minutes left but Kev Clayton's header from Hudson's corner was a comfortable save for Callaghan.

SHOREHAM: R.Callaghan; Dorrington, Jordan, Hurley, Simmons; Boddy, Georgiou, Carter, Sadough; Annis, Smith. Subs: Jones (Annis 64), Wallace, Goatcher.

For Shoreham assistant-manager Darren Donnelly's reaction and pictures from the game, see this Thursday's Shoreham Herald.