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| Saturday 26 August 2006 East Court 5 Ardingly 2 EAST Court rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 5-2 win over local rivals Ardingly at a rainy Notre Dame. East Court were hit in the build-up with the loss of new signing Carl Zimmatore with a hamstring complaint. The withdrawal led to the home side having only 12 players available with Billy Denyer needing to leave before the final whistle. East Court lined up 4-4-2 with Denyer replacing Zimmatore in central midfield and Ben Sunderland partnering Ross Kelly up front. At the back Andy Wright and Dan Medcalf swapped flanks with Wright moving to the right hand side and Paul Bishop came in for Dan Lamprell between the sticks. Court started the brighter of the two sides but were unable to convert their dominance into goals. With the ball zipping across the surface East Court looked to play a quick passing game and cut through the Ardingly defence at will when it came off. It was Ardingly who took the lead though. With their first opportunity of the match the visitors were in front after a defensive error. It didn't last long though as a ball was crossed in by Stuart Moseley for Denyer to head back across goal into the path of Kelly who made no mistake from 8 yards. Soon after Moseley picked out Denyer with a free kick and he rose highest to guide the ball into the corner of the net. East Court were looking comfortable and should have extended their lead but a lack of communication at the back gifted Ardingly an equaliser as they broke through the offside trap and keeper Bishop was narrowly beaten to the through ball. The second half was a more even affair with Ardingly kicking down the slight slope. East Court were edging the game without being able to break down their opponents and with twenty minutes to go Denyer, the club's all-time leading goalscorer, had to depart. He was replaced in midfield by Adam Shillibeer. For the second match in a row the introduction of Shillibeer seemed to have an effect as East Court soon led 3-2 with Kelly adding his second of the game as he outjumped the visiting goalkeeper from a Moseley cross. Soon after it was four as Carl Buckler profited from a lapse of concentration in the Ardingly backline. Kelly rounded off the scoring to complete a hattrick and give East Court a good win as they head into the season. Moseley was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as he hit the bar in the second half but East Court had to settle for five. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, D.Medcalf, R.Hayes, M.Champion, S.Nickols, S.Moseley, B.Denyer (A.Shillibeer), R.Kelly, B.Sunderland, C.Buckler |