MATCH REPORT: SHOREHAM FC

Image credit: Will Hugall

Rotherfield were eager to bounce back from last Saturday's result against Westfield with another home fixture, as we welcomed bottom of the league Shoreham.

The visitors arrived to the Recreation Ground with no points on the board, so they had a point to prove against a side who had won three out of the last four fixtures.

However, the first half, in particular, was a lacklustre performance with little threat from both sides. The Greens did retain the ball, but the final service wasn't there.

It was 35 minutes in when the deadlock broke when a Greens final ball was picked up by the hosts and a Shoreham forward drove forward and finished passed, keeper Kieran Sumner.

0-1 down at the break but all was not lost. The Greens made three changes soon after the restart with Saunders, Zimmerman and Gray entering the fray.

55 minutes in and Gray was able to advance forward and restore parity with a calm finish past the Shoreham keeper. However, parity was short lived as Shoreham took the lead with an effort that was heading for Sumner's gloves but took a wicked deflection off of Carbune to end up in the net.

It was Gray who saved the day again, with another finish with aplomb to make it 2-2.

Rotherfield dominated possession for the reminder of the half and as the dark clouds rolled in and a heavy shower drenched all involved, Rotherfield were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Jack Spampanato stepped up to deliver over the wall and Callum Ridley, tapped home what was thought to be the winner, only to be deemed offside by the officials.

Final Score 2-2

Squad: Sumner, Kerslake, Turner, Carbune, Russell, Ridley, Peevor, Milroy, Fyffe, Spampanato, Kent

Subs: Clarke, Zimmerman, Gray, Saunders, Watts (unused)

Man Of The Match: Dan Gray - only played 15 minutes but saved Rotherfield from a banana skin defeat with his two goals.