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| Saturday 11 December 2004 Chailey 1 East Court FC 1 East Court FC remain at the top of Mid Sussex Football League Division 5 after coming away from one of their title rivals with a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Court were forced to make three changes to their squad in the run-up to the match due to Ross Kelly's hamstring injury and illness to Paul Brice and Adam Shillibeer. East Court had the lions share of possession in the first half with Lee Champion and captain Simon Nickols winning everything in midfield and wing-backs Andrew Wright and Carl Buckler surging down the flanks to good effect. Chailey's only chance in the first period came when a quick free-kick was headed towards goal and well saved by a diving Paul Bishop. Despite controlling the match East Court found it hard to create any clear cut opportunities, but on the stroke of half-time Nick Clarkson-Tooze crossed for Daniel Medcalf who could not quite stretch far enough to apply the finishing touch. The away side took the lead shortly after the break after a contentious refereeing decision. Goalkeeper Paul Bishop looked to have extinguished a Chailey attack but then inadvertently lost control of the ball before picking it up again. Whilst Chailey were campaigning for an indirect free-kick to be awarded, Paul Bishop hit a massive goalkick over the Chailey back line and into the path of hard-working Man of the Match Clarkson-Tooze. Clarkson-Tooze managed to toe-end the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper before calmly rolling the loose ball into the empty net for his 6th goal of the season. After conceding the goal, Chailey finally woke up and showed their true class. Paul Bishop cleanly took a couple of dangerous crosses and the central defensive unit of Martyn Bishop, Nick Palmer and Medcalf made some crucial interceptions. However Chailey did manage an equaliser mid way-through the half when a clever ball over the top was neatly flicked over Paul Bishop and into the back of the net. That was the cue for East Court to push forward and they were unlucky not to score a winning goal. Martyn Bishop hit the crossbar with a header from a Billy Denyer corner and was unlucky to see a well-hit volley fly inches over the goal. Chailey almost scored an own goal from a dangerous Martyn Bishop free-kick, and dubious linesman decisions prevented Denyer and Ben Sunderland having clear runs through on goal. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, C.Buckler, M.Bishop, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, B.Denyer, B.Sunderland, N.Clarkson-Tooze, L.Champion (Ja.Crittell). Unused Subs: C.Butler |