Arundel lose at home to Crowborough

Mullets had their chances, but a combination of good Crows defending and bad luck meant that it was not their day.

A frantic start to the match saw Mullets get off to the perfect start, when Howard Neighbour headed home a Matt Axell cross on five minutes.

Crows were level within three minutes, however, through a Thom Nowell wonder strike.

Michael Culverhouse then put Crowborough 2-1 up on 11 minutes and that lead was increased four minutes later. A long ball caught Mullets out and skipper Dave Adams ran through to slot home and make it 3-1.

The first-half scoring was not finished there, though, and Chris Ransome’s own goal, under pressure from Dave Walker, gave Arundel hope shortly before half-time.

The second half was all Arundel as they battered Crowborough’s goal, ultimately without success. Scott Tipper fired over, saw another effort cleared off the line and hit the post.

Neighbour struck the post, and Josh Biggs, who has re-signed from Ryman League Worthing, was denied by a goal-line clearance. Dave Walker fired over and Rob Wimble missed a late chance as Mullets poured forward in search of an equaliser.

Arundel assistant manager Simon Butler said: “I can’t fault the lads as it was a good performance and we battered them.

“Credit to them, though, they defended really well, but a draw or the points for us would have been fair.”

ARUNDEL: O’Connor; D.Walker, Sneller, McCoy, Hall; R.Biggs, Hamilton, Axell, Neighbour; Tipper, Norgate. Subs: J.Biggs (Hamilton 45), Gardner, Wimble (R.Biggs, Norgate 72), Turney, Griffiths.