Robins rout Rottingdean as Sids rock Roffey

Bosham made light work of a struggling Rottingdean, securing a 6-0 win on the road to maintain their lead at the top of the SCFL division-two table.
Bradley Miles was among the Bosham scorers / Picture by Kate ShemiltBradley Miles was among the Bosham scorers / Picture by Kate Shemilt
Bradley Miles was among the Bosham scorers / Picture by Kate Shemilt

The Robins were gifted the perfect start when a dangerous cross from Bradley Miles was diverted into his own net by the unlucky Zak Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke had scored crucial goals to beat the Reds last season in the same fixture but keeper Mike Herriott was left stranded as the ball was diverted past him.

The hosts regrouped and came back with vigour, driven on by Danny Stearman and Bradley King. But few chances were made and Bosham were able to control things at the back – though were dealt a blow when Pat Bulbeck was forced off with a knee injury. Ben Blanshard more than made up for the loss in his place.

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Just after the half-hour Bosham doubled their lead through Miles with a special strike. Neil Redman supplied a dangerous ball into the area and Miles swivelled and fired an instant volley into the net, leaving Herriott dumbfounded.

Close to the interval Louis Bell’s sensational free-kick from 30 yards went like a rocket into the top corner, leaving Herriott with no chance.

The game was all but over as a contest but Rottingdean came out galvanised after the break and were much the better side with the Robins becoming a little nervy at the back.

Bosham’s midfield went off the boil and, on the hour, Rottingdean thought they had breached the Bosham clean sheet only for an offside flag to save the day for the Robins.

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Then Bosham woke from their slumber and regained control. Blanshard leapt strongly to place a header perfectly in the far corner, from a corner, and the effort sneaked in despite the best efforts of Perry Haughton on the line.

Redman produced sublime skill to outfox the keeper and a defender to slot into an empty net to make it five and James Wilson rounded off the scoring a minute later, bursting though a tiring defence to slot home easily.

This week Bosham entertain Westfield in the Sussex Intermediate Cup.

Bosham: Magee, Probee, Bulbeck, Redman, Gilbert, Bell, Docherty, Dowden, Miles, Wilson, Mullen. Sub: Blanshard.

ALAN PRICE

Sidlesham 2 Roffey 1

Division two

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Sidlesham got the better of a strong Roffey side at the Memorial Ground.

It was a tough game of limited chances with both sides looking to give nothing away.

Roffey looked bright early on and it wasn’t long before the home side were indebted to keeper Connor Kelly, who made an incredible save low down to his right as it looked certain the Roffey striker was going to give his side the lead.

This stunned Sidlesham into action and they went in front. Tom Bayley was fouled on the left and Callum Dowdell sent over a fine free-kick to the impressive MoM John Phillips, who rose highest at the far post to head in.

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Another free kick from Dowdell was almost met by Matt Roberts.

Back came Roffey with good attacking play but again Kelly was up to the job with safe hands to keep his side ahead.

Roffey levelled when a corner was only half-cleared and their striker turned and poked the ball past Kelly to make it 1-1 at the break.

The second half started with Sidlesham looking to put their stamp on the game and they took the lead midway through the half.

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Bayley raced clear down the left and with the keeper to beat he fired a first-time shot into the far corner, his 20th goal of the season.

Sidlesham now started to control the game and Roffey were finding it hard to get back into it.

Roffey piled on more pressure in the final third, but with Sidlesham defending well and Kelly in fine form, Sidlesham hung on and got the result they deserved in second half.

Sidlesham travel to Ferring this Saturday (2pm).

Sids: Kelly, Colbourne, Sandals, Robinson, Hayes, Roberts, Phillips, Kelly, Bayley, Jefkins, Dowdell. Subs: Bassil, Litterick,Williams, Hayes, Sibanda.

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