Pearce takes direct route to Rocks victory

Ollie Pearce was the goal hero at Brentwood / Picture by Tim Hale

The Rocks moved into second place in the Ryman premier with the three points - two points behind leaders Dulwich Hamlet, who they host at Nyewood Lane on Saturday.

It was no more than they deserved after plenty of second-half pressure with the wind at their backs although as the game wore on it looked like they’d have to settle for a point.

It was obvious from the start that Storm Barney was going to play a big part in proceedings and in the first half Bognor were playing against the wind.

They defended stoutly and Brentwood’s best chance of the half didn’t arrive until two minutes before the break when Liam Hope shot just over.

The rocks came out for the second half looking strong and began pressing from the off.

A good effort by James Crane on 63 minutes was goalbound until it hit a defender and went out for a corner.

Bognor brought on Alfie Rutherford and Alex Parsons for Chike Kandi and Doug Tuck and both made an impression.

Jason Prior had a shot tipped over by keeper Martyn Guest as the game entered its final ten minutes and soon the Rocks had the lead as Pearce’s corner from the left flew in, perhaps helped by conditions.

Rutherford was narrowly wide with two chances in three minutes as the Rocks looked to wrap it up but the lack of a second goal didn’t matter as Jamie Howell’s team held on for another victory.

Now it’s all eyes on the second-versus-first clash at Nyewood Lane on Saturday.

Rocks: Smith, Whyte, Crane, Tuck (Parsons), El-Abd, Robson, Pearce, Nilsen, Prior, Kandi (Rutherford), Field. Subs not used: Wollers, Green, Beck.

ROGER NASH

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