Unbeaten run ends as Common slump

LITTLE Common's six-match unbeaten run came to an end with a disappointing defeat at Hurstpierpoint on Saturday.

The visitors never came close to finding the form that had seen them take 10 points out of a possible 12 in four previous Sussex Division Three outings.

Common manager Mark Linch said: "Hurstpierpoint had five new players who signed on that week and all five started, but with the team we had available we should have done a lot better. We were just poor from the start."

Common found it difficult to impose themselves and struggled to deal with the direct approach employed by their hosts. The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes when Manton was allowed time and space at the far post to head home.

Jared Lusted almost provided an immediate response but was unable to finish after rounding the goalkeeper.

Linch's side fell further behind early in the second period when a dubious free kick awarded on the edge of the area was curled into the top corner by Rouane.

Common's afternoon was made worse when Kingsley Parsons was harshly dismissed following a challenge on the goalkeeper at a corner. "In all my years in football I have never seen anything like it," said Linch, who felt Parsons was desperately unfortunate to see red. "That didn't help but we didn't deserve to win."

Despite being a man short, Common did most of the attacking in the second period, but it was Hurstpierpoint who had the final word when Hurst claimed their third in the 90th minute.

Little Common: Shoesmith, Penfold, Parsons, Steward, Eldridge, Bigg, Matthews (Whyborne), Linch (Kelly), Kettyles, Lusted, Ansty (Collins).

lLittle Common Football Club has relaunched its website and for further details long-on at www.little-commonfc.co.uk