United returned to action after the herroics of last weeks win against Westbourne, full of confidence looking for another positive result. Only two changes were made from the game over Westbourne with Folly and Mitchell unavailable, West and Webb were drafted in. A.Owens retained his place between the sticks, a new back three of Turner, Webb and the versatile Hoops dropping into defence from midfield. A midfield five of D.Batten, E.Owens, Noller, Sage and West, with Davis and Mayell keeping their places up front.
United started brightly and carved out an early chance when the ball was worked out to D.Batten on the edge of the box, he cut inside onto his favoured right foot and shot just wide of the near post. With all the good early possession, Whyke took the lead against the run of play, a corner was delivered in, after winning the first ball, a follow up shot from inside the box deflected in. But with renewed confidence in recent weeks, the tables were soon turned, when two goals within ten minutes put the oranges ahead. The first was from a set piece from Noller, the ball was only half cleared and top scorer Sage smashed home from the edge of the box to keep his run of scoring in each of the last four games continuing. To take the lead another great delivery from Noller, found Davis who flicked the ball towards the far post and an unmarked Mayell calmly volleyed home. United could have extended their lead, first E.Owens rose highest from a corner and his header, heading for the top corner, the opposition keeper pulled of a great save, however a few minutes later he was beaten, with another fine strike from Sage from the edge of the box only for the post to come to his and his teams rescue. Shortly before half time united were dealt a blow, once a set piece was cleared, when everyone was stepping up, a long punt into the box was pounced upon from a deep run and with the keeper looking to claim, the attacker just managed to get his head to the ball first and it was level at the break.
The second half United started well but chances were few and far between and Whyke started to look dangerous. D.Batten was replaced by Weller, and Davis was replaced by Merrett, the latter coming on just after Whyke took the lead. Whyke had started to go route one and it soon paid off for them, and a calm finish inside the box put the visitors in the lead. Minutes later they extended it with a possible offside in the build up, another finish inside the box left united with a lot of work to do. Another controversial goal for Whyke put the game to bed, when their forward fouled Webb to win the ball before slotting home. United though, refused to lie down and give up, a trait that has been with them all season, and late chances were created, Mayell shooting over from the edge of the box and an attempt that the keeper saved, Merrett had a shot on the half volley straight at the keeper and Weller had a one on one with the keeper after an exquisite threw ball from Sage, he took a touch to control onto his right foot and with the keeper on rushing his effort went over the keeper but just past the post. At the final whistle the united players took a lot of positives out of the game, but were left disappointed with the second half after an excellent first, and wondering what could have been. Next up for the oranges are Bognor Railway Club a week today.
