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| Saturday 25 September 2004 East Court FC 4 Fletching 0 EAST Court progressed to the second round of the Mid Sussex League Sommerville Cup with victory over Fletching at Imberhorne School on Saturday (September 25). Although the scoreline suggested a comfortable win, things could have been different had it not been for a couple of crucial saves from man of the match, goalkeeper Chris Butler. He denied Fletching from the penalty spot after East Court had gone into a 2-0 lead and then made another vital stop early in the second half at the same scoreline. Player-manager Daniel Medcalf was forced to watch the match from the sidelines so Martyn Bishop, Nick Palmer and Adam Shillibeer made up the back three. The home side took the lead through Ben Sunderland. Lee Champion hit the ball forward, which was missed by a Fletching player, and found Sunderland clear with just the keeper to beat. He was denied with his initial effort but managed to score the rebound. Another slip in the Fletching defence saw East Court double their lead when Bishop's forward ball found Billy Denyer, who controlled it before smashing home a left footed drive into the top corner. Butler's penalty save came shortly after. Denyer was adjudged to have handled the ball but Butler dived to right to push the spot kick round the post. Early in the second period Ross Kelly found himself in space but saw his shot smash against the upright. Butler prevented Fletching from reducing the deficit after a long throw wasn't cleared and the goalkeeper managed to push the effort on to the post and saw it rebound to safety. The away side went close again shortly after when they clipped the top of the crossbar. East Court made the game safe when they were awarded a penalty after Denyer was upended and Champion stepped up to slot home the spot kick. Andrew Wright was replaced by Tom Greig, Paul Brice replaced Ross Kelly and Nick Clarkson-Tooze was given a run out up front. Carl Buckler was busy down the left while captain Simon Nickols was always on top in the midfield battle. East Court scored a fourth shortly before the end when Denyer's corner found Bishop and he made no mistake with a downward header into the net. Team: C.Butler, A.Wright (T.Greig), C.Buckler, A.Shillibeer, M.Bishop, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, B.Denyer, R.Kelly (P.Brice), B.Sunderland (N.Clarkson-Tooze), L.Champion |