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| Saturday 28 September 2002 East Court FC 5 Copthorne Rovers II 1 EAST Court FC maintained their 100 per cent record on Saturday when they overcame Copthorne Rovers II in this Mid Sussex Football League division 7 clash. But although the scoreline suggests it was a one-sided game, it could easily have been a different story had Copthorne managed to capitalise on a poor start from the home side. For the second week running East Court were slow off the mark and found themselves a goal behind. But then the Copthorne keeper was sent off after he pulled down James Salter in the penalty area after the East Court forward had chased down a backpass. The referee, who had a good game, had no hesitation in showing the red card but Simon Nickols blasted the spot kick straight at the replacement keeper. East Court were then indebted to keeper Paul Bishop just before halftime when he saved one on one from a Copthorne forward and prevented East Court from going 2-0 down. In the second half East Court got their act together and David Nolan equalised after being put through by Billy Denyer. Ross Kelly then slotted in a second. Copthorne had a chance to equalise but Bishop did enough to put off the attacker. An excellent crossfield ball from Andrew Wright set up Salter for number three. Kelly added his second and East Court's fourth, before Nickols got on the scoresheet when he volleyed home Salter's corner. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, D.Nolan, M.Nolan, D.Medcalf, O.Wright, S.Nickols, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, J.Salter, T.Greig (C.Buckler). Unused Sub: A.Seeds |
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| Ross Kelly (far left) and Billy Denyer wheel away in triumph after scoring at the Car Park End at Imberhorne |