10-man Common beaten by leaders
The Commoners went down 3-0 away to Eastbourne United AFC with all of the goals coming during a second half in which Common also had their goalkeeper sent-off.
Although Common had scored 13 goals in winning their previous three league games, it was always going to be a tough ask against an Eastbourne side which reached the last 32 of the FA Vase at the weekend by winning away to Combined Counties League Premier Division leaders South Park.
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Hide AdThe two teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in September’s reverse fixture and there was again nothing to separated them as they reached half time level at 0-0 in the return match. In fact, Common looked fairly comfortable apart from the odd scare.
But Matt Maclean gave United a 55th minute lead after Common failed to clear a corner, and fourth-placed Common’s task went from difficult to virtually impossible when Wes Tate made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after away goalkeeper Cameron Smith was dismissed for a foul.
Common defender Zack McEniry took over the gloves - not for the first time this season - but couldn’t prevent Linton Rogers adding an 86th minute third goal for an Eastbourne team now boasting 38 points from a possible 45.
Common: C. Smith, Cooper, Mote, Eldridge, Ammoun, McEniry, Cruttwell, Morris, Hole, McMinigal, Lusted. Subs: Denny, Crone, Richardson, Buckley, Farrence.
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Hide AdSussex Division Two top seven (played-points): 1 Eastbourne United AFC 15-38, 2 Haywards Heath Town 17-37, 3 Loxwood 16-35, 4 LITTLE COMMON 18-32, 5 Broadbridge Heath 15-31, 6 Steyning Town 15-26, 7 BEXHILL UNITED 17-23.