FOOTBALL: Dodd sparkles to help EP win at Golds

IT was East Preston Football Club's Terry Dodd who sparkled on the eve of Bonfire Night to send Littlehampton's Sussex Senior Cup hopes up in smoke at The Sportsfield on Tuesday.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Nov 2008, 15:21 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:04 BST

His two assists and clinching goal ultimately proved the difference in a game where Golds more than held their own for long periods against their higher-division opponents.

Indeed, Littlehampton started the brighter and had EP on the back foot in the early stages. No clear chances were made, though, and Golds were made to pay in the 20th minute. Dodd created his own space on the left of the box and drove in a low shot that was too hot for Jim Everett to handle. Asa Nicholson was on hand to pick up the pieces and forced home from close-range.

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Golds got another dose of this medicine on 35 minutes when Dodd's inch-perfect cross from the left found Nicholson in acres of space in front of goal. The midfielder instantly controlled the ball and applied the finish to double EP's lead.

If EP thought they were in for an easy night's work, they got a rude awakening at the start of the second half. Joe Charman drilled a shot just wide and Nathan Peacock rattled the bar after good work down the left.

These warnings were not heeded and Golds got the goal they deserved in the 58th minute. Mark Burgess hooked against the bar following a corner and Barry Pidgeon was quickest to react to volley home the rebound.

For a time it looked like Golds might be able to draw level until Dodd put the game to bed 10 minutes from time. He latched on to a straight ball down the middle and had the strength to hold off Adam Palmer before sliding it past Everett.

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EP boss Trevor Waller was pleased with the result if not the performance. He said: "We were sloppy at times and credit to Littlehampton who fought for every ball. Still, I'd sooner win playing poorly than lose playing well and we're now unbeaten in four.

"We're a young team and we just need to find a bit more consistency."

East Preston now travel to Shoreham or Westfield in the third round.

On Saturday, Golds host high-flying Division 1 side Eastbourne UA in the Sussex RUR Cup. EP travel to Oakwood in Division 1.

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LITTLEHAMPTON: Everett; Young, Palmer, Pidgeon, Bennett; Charman, Rowland, Burgess, Peacock; Power, Gaskin. Subs. Robertshaw (Peacock 67), Simmons (Burgess 75), Matthews (Charman 80), Manning.

EAST PRESTON: Hendrick; Meeney, Holman, Windsor, Campbell; Nicholson, Oatway, Keet, Darwin; Budge, Dodd. Subs. Bowyer (Meeney 74), L.Waller (Darwin 84), Clayton (Campbell 86), Huet. Att: 118.

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