Common clinch first away win

Little Common’s footballers finally chalked up their first away league win of the season on Saturday.
Sam Brown had a solid game in Little Common's midfield during the 1-0 win away to Seaford Town on Saturday. Picture courtesy Bob MatthewsSam Brown had a solid game in Little Common's midfield during the 1-0 win away to Seaford Town on Saturday. Picture courtesy Bob Matthews
Sam Brown had a solid game in Little Common's midfield during the 1-0 win away to Seaford Town on Saturday. Picture courtesy Bob Matthews

An early goal from Lewis Hole was enough to see off bottom-of-the-table Seaford Town 1-0 and end a run of just one point from their previous six Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two away trips.

Common player-manager Russell Eldridge said: “We got the victory which we were very happy with, especially after the defeat the week before (2-0 at Mile Oak). People may say it was only 1-0, but we did enough and it was a professional performance.”

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The Commoners had scored 10 goals without reply in two previous victories over Seaford this season, including a 7-0 triumph at the same ground in a Parafix Sussex Senior Challenge Cup first round tie last month.

But they were made to work far harder on this occasion by a Seaford side which although yet to pick up a point in 15 league matches, was only beaten by a last gasp goal away to leaders Worthing United a fortnight previously.

The decisive moment came in just the eighth minute when Eldridge played the ball through to Hole, who struck an early shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner for his 16th goal of the season in all competitions.

Although possession was fairly even during the first half, Eldridge felt that Common edged the chances and might have had a couple more goals to show for their endeavours. Hole had a penalty appeal turned down.

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Common did what they needed to do during the second period and probably had another gear if they needed it. Steve Morris and Martin Denny had sights of goal, and the best chance fell to Hole, but his finish just cleared the crossbar.

Away goalkeeper Matt Cruttwell made one good save to repel a shot from the edge of the box, but other than that Seaford created comparatively little.

“It wasn’t a classic, but we got the job done,” added Eldridge. “It was a solid team performance where people did their jobs and everyone mucked in. We defended well to keep a clean sheet which was good.

“They were a bit different to last time and I think it will only be a matter of time before they do get a win.”

Common: Cruttwell; R. Mote, McEniry, Smith, S. Mote; Denny (Tomlinson), Brown, Eldridge, Denny (Bristow); Hole (MacDonald), Morris.