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| Saturday 28 February 2004 Scaynes Hill II 2 East Court 1 POOR finishing an an inspired goalkeeping display saw East Court's promotion hopes in Mid Sussex League Division 6 severely dented on Saturday (February 28). A third league defeat of the season leaves the side in fourth place, two points adrift of second placed Keymer and Hassocks, who they play at home in a crucial game later this month. East Court started well but were unable to find a finish. Billy Denyer and Ben Sunderland put efforts over the bar while Lee Champion hit the side netting after Carl Buckler had chipped the Scaynes Hill keeper. Denyer was released clean through mid-way through the half but his shot was blocked by the home side's shot-stopper. Scaynes Hill took the lead when a corner was met by a bullet header which East Court keeper Andrew Mackie nor player-manager Daniel Medcalf could prevent going in. The home team extended their lead five minutes into the second half with a player unleashing an unstoppable 25 yard shot past Mackie. East Court bombarded the Scaynes Hill defence and Martyn Bishop, who came on at half-time for James Crittell, had a header cleared off the line. A scramble in the box saw the ball bounce towards the Scaynes Hill goal and cleared off the line, although the away team were adamant it had gone in. Denyer pulled a goal back with a well taken finish, placing the ball into the bottom right corner. Bishop missed a golden chance to equalise when he shot over from six yards after Duncan Bewley put in a superb cross. Captain Simon Nickols was denied by a brilliant stop by the Scaynes Hill keeper who somehow managed to turn away the rebound as well. Try as they might East Court could not find an equaliser and returned home empty-handed. Team: A.Mackie, C.Buckler, N.Palmer, C.Butler, D.Medcalf, Ja.Crittell (M.Bishop), S.Nickols, B.Denyer, L.Champion, B.Sunderland (N.Clarkson-Tooze), D.Bewley Unused sub: N.Dawson |