SELSEY gave league debuts to Jack Bingham, Scott and Danny Towers and Marco Giamberladini and welcomed back Matt Wood when they went to AFC Uckfield for their Sussex League division-one opener. With only three friendlies under their belt, fitness would play a major part - and the Blues were well-beaten 4-0.
The first 15 minutes saw Selsey dominate and they could have gone ahead when Giamberladini got free on the left and crossed for Tom Ridley, but he steered his effort the wrong side of the post.
Ridley’s delicate free-kick found Rob Wimble, who saw his shot deflected for a corner. Jake Buss in the home goal saved well from Wood then Ridley got in behind the defence only to see his shot lack pace.
The missed chances came back to haunt the visitors as Sam Schaafe wriggled free down the right and his cross found Jack Divall, who sidefooted home on 33 minutes.
Eight minutes later a sharp save by Buss stopped Wimble opening his account.
A penalty award to Uckfield for a trip by Mark Lee on Manton was over-ruled for offside.
New manager Richie Towers would have been pleased with the first half but the good work was undone in when Schaafe scored twice in the first ten minutes of the second half to go 3-0 up. Selsey’s lack of fitness started to show and Divall turned provider for Schaafe to completed his hat-trick.
Selsey replaced Scott Towers, Ridley and Giamberladini with Barnie Covill, Ed Bowers and James Parsons and improved.
Wimble tested Buss and Wood’s long-range shot just cleared the bar.
Selsey had the ball in the back of the net only to see it ruled out by an offside flag.
Towers said: “I was pleased with the first-half performance but disappointed with the way we conceded the four goals.
“I feel we’re still some way short of match fitness – we’re two or three weeks behind.”
Towers says when he has a full squad available and has brought in one or two more, the Blues will be a match for anybody.
SELSEY: Joyce, Britton, Bingham, M Hinshelwood, Lee, S Towers (Covill), Giamberladini (Parsons), D Towers,
Wimble, Ridley (Bowers), Wood. Sub not used: R Miles.
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