Barnham bring high-flyers down with a bump

League high-flyers East Preston were brought down to earth with a bump against an improving Barnham side who gained their second win on the bounce.

A series of outstanding saves by Joe Dubben kept Barnham in the game early on. A free kick on the edge of the Barnham box seemed to have been cleared but from 30 yards an East Preston player sent a superb shot into the net.

Pete Dearden replied when he turned and fired in an instinctive shot.

Marcus Taylor on the wing battled in front of goal and tapped it across the line to give the visitors the lead.

The second half saw East Preston draw level. The game became ever more feisty and with ten minutes to go an East Preston player was sent for an early shower.

Barnham’s Baz Harrison ran in on goal and was fouled in the box and the resulting penalty was converted with a fine strike into the top corner by captain Stevie Menzies – the final kick of the game.

BARNHAM: Dubben, Richards, Perkins, Davidson, Roberts, Gilbert, Menzies, Temple, Taylor, Bennett, Dearden. Subs: Fortin, James

Pagham 2 Bosham 9

Bosham kept their league run going with a convincing win against Pagham at Avisford Park.

They created the better chances in the early stages with efforts from Louis Buntin, Jack Antony and Tim Callen going wide.

The breakthrough came after 15 minutes when Buntin capitalised on a weak goal kick to slot home from ten yards.

Pagham equalised with a free-kick from 25 yards out that flew into the top corner.

Bosham took control with further goals from Buntin, Tyler Todd and Callen. Pagham did pull another back following an error in defence.

The second half saw Bosham keeper Callum Fewell replaced by Will Burch because of a shoulder injury and Billy Brown coming on for James Adams.

Further goals came from Buntin, completing his hat-trick, a further three from Callen – the best of which was a diving header from a great cross from Charlie Hawes – and one from skipper James Johnson.

Pagham lost their cool and had a player booked and one sent off.

Bosham man of the match was Jack Antony.

BOSHAM: Fewell, Domblides, Andrews, Ayling, Adams, Merrick, Callen, Johnson, Antony, Todd, Buntin, Burch, Brown, Hawes.

Predators under-18s (pictured at the top of the article) would like to thank Lee Balchin of Anglo Plumbing & Heating – better known as skipper of Bognor RFC’s first XV – for sponsoring their new away kit.

They say they’re one of the only clubs to give players of any ability the chance to play football.

Predators are a community charter-standard club and have a new home ground in Bognor.