FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

HAZEL HEADER ENSURES DERBY HONOURS ARE EVEN

LITTLEHAMPTON Football Club twice came from a goal down on Boxing Day to earn a deserved draw at local-rivals Rustington. The draw was the fair result in a hard-fought encounter in front of more than 400 supporters. After Rustington were on top in the first half, Littlehampton took control in the second period and got their second equaliser six minutes after the break.

Adam Hunt's free kick, wide on the right, came off Rustington midfielder Adam Bibb's header and Golds tall striker Chris Hazel lept highest to nod home from eight yards.

In a frantic opening, it had taken Blues less than a minute to take the lead.

Lee Gibbs was fouled on the right-wing and after his inswinging left-footed free kick, which Bibb just missed, hit a post, Andy Boxall was the first to react to fire his side ahead.

But, just seven minutes later, Littlehampton were level. Rustington keeper Andy McCarthy brilliantly denied Ryan Hudson's blistering drive but Blues could not clear their lines, and from Hazel's header down, James Bennett lobbed the equaliser.

It was not long until the next goal and Rustington regained their advantage on 17 minutes. Boxall was tripped in the penalty area by Hunt and Bibb fired the spot-kick low into the bottom left-hand corner.

Rustington began to take control and should have added a third goal before half-time. Andy Smart shot Sean Duffy's low cross wide from six yards, then Smart raced onto keeper Andy McCarthy's long kick, only to be thwarted by Dean Fuller, as he attempted to round Golds' stopper.

Littlehampton then drew level in the early stages of the second period but despite dominating possession, it was Rustington who had the best chance to take all three points.

On 66 minutes, Smart got hold of the ball on the halfway line after Joe-Lewis Cumber's excellent tackle on James Bennett. Smart played Boxall through one-on-one but Boxall's 18-yarder came back off a post and into Fuller's grateful hands.

Rustington manager Gareth Davies said: "We should have had the game wrapped up by half-time but didn't take our chances.

"In the second half, they were the better side and a draw was the fair result in front of a tremendous crowd."

Littlehampton boss Trevor Waller said: "We played okay in the second half but were poor defensively in the first half, and gave away two sloppy goals.

"It was a good game, a fair result and we'll all look forward to the re-match on Easter Monday."