It was a tough week for Bosham, Lavant and Chapel in the latest round of games in the West Sussex League.
Bosham 1 Upper Beeding 1
Premier division
Bosham’s home campaign for the season ended this weekend with a bit of a whimper as they failed to gain revenge for a defeat at Upper Beeding a week earlier.
With the title now seemingly out of their grasp, the Reds took to the park going all out for the win.
Beeding went close first when Jamie Rowland hit the post from a tight angle, enabling keeper Simon Hasted to snap up the ball on the rebound.
Kieran Hartley went on one of his renowned mazy runs and fired an effort on target which produced a fine save from Ciaran Twose.
Bosham went close again right on half-time, again through Hartley. This time the striker whipped in a stunning free-kick, but Twose made a stunning, full-stretch save to keep the Robins at bay.
Just after the hour, the deadlock was broken as the Reds got their noses in front through the dangerous James Bracher.
Adam Brett allowed Bracher to run on to a lovely through-ball and the striker took full advantage to wrongfoot Twose and bury the ball into the corner.
More goals seemed likely from Bosham but they wouldn’t come - and a late bombshell from Upper Beeding left a sour taste in the mouth.
There were just minutes left and the Yellows were struggling to produce a clinical move when Steve Alexander let fly from distance and the effort sailed past the outstretched hand of Hasted to spark wild celebrations in the yellow ranks.
The game petered out and the draw was frustrating for all.
Bosham’s final game of the season is away to Barnham reserves on Saturday and they will hope to end on a high.
BOSHAM: Hasted, Probee, Jack Hancock, Hartley, Sumnall, Evans, Maitland, Docherty, Bracher, Joe Hancock, Brett. Subs: Desai, Davies.
ALAN PRICE
Lavant 0 Cowfold 2
Premier division
For the second week running at home, Lavant lost to a team in the top four.
The visitors deserved their win as they wanted it more than the home side, who played the first half without conviction. Despite this, only a 29th-minute penalty, struck home by Nigel Smith, gave Cowfold a half-time lead.
Lavant improved in the second half but talent and the formation used were insufficient without commitment and physical energy.
The home side were deficient in this and when Matt Lyttle’s header back to his keeper fell short, Smith again pounced
to clock up his and Cowfold’s second goal 11 minutes after the restart.
Lavant keeper Neil Sanson pulled off two excellent saves from Kris Harding each side of the interval but otherwise, chances were in short supply.
Lavant came close to scoring when James Sandford and Ryan Seacombe combined, only for the latter to pull his shot wide. Cowfold are well placed to take the league title while Lavant must work harder to break into the top four.
LAVANT: Sanson, Purgavie, Wright, Lyttle; Sandford, Brooks, Gabb, Knight, Neville; Smith, Seacombe. Sub: Weller.
Tangmere Res 11 Chapel 3
Division five south
Holidays and work commitments meant Chapel started with ten men against the side second in the table.
Tangmere had the most of the early play but did not trouble Chapel’s makeshift keeper until they were awarded a disputed penalty in the 20th minute to make it 1-0.
Tangmere continued to dominate but Carver broke clear to equalise in the 31st minute and Chapel were in front four minutes later when a defender headed a free-kick into his own net.
Chapel had 11 players after the break but could not stop the home team from equalising within three minutes.
Taylor restored the lead and a second penalty tied the score once more.
The game changed dramatically in the last 25 minutes with the introduction of Tangmere’s leading scorer from division two. He scored four and contributed to the others as the home side ran in eight more goals.