Sloppy start costs Common dear

NOT for the first time this season, Little Common's sloppy start to a match proved costly as they lost for the first time in three Sussex Division Three matches on Saturday.

Common gifted their opponents a 2-0 lead after only 10 minutes and that poor opening was the main reason their barren run at home was extended to one point from six games.

Gary Holmes fired The Dockers into the lead after only three minutes before Simon Halsey struck a penalty after a rash challenge from Kingsley Parsons.

Common got themselves back into the match when Parsons met a Tim Bigg free kick in the 18th minute to make it four successive games in which they've scored having failed to do so in four of their previous five ties.

But it was Newhaven who continued to pose more of a threat going forward and they soon restored their two goal advantage when Holmes beat the offside trap to claim his second goal.

Another Bigg free kick into the Newhaven area again caused trouble and, when Conrad Sparks was tripped, the referee pointed to the penalty spot for Mark Freeman to grab his ninth goal of the season.

As conditions deteriorated, Newhaven held firm to claim all three points and leave Common searching for their first victory at The Recreation Ground since November 12.

Little Common remain ninth in the table going into their final three games of the campaign, while Newhaven are just outside the promotion picture in fourth spot.

Common: Shoesmith, Clifton, Eldridge, Ralley (Lusted), K. Parsons, Bigg, W. Parsons, Brown (Mende), Freeman, Ray (Jirbandey), Sparks.