Eastbourne United AFC
Worthing United
P Cooper (31'), L Painter (85')
Full time
Painter Brushes Mavericks Aside
By Dean Allchin
Eastbourne United AFC finished the 2015/16 season with a win as a sublime effort from Liam Painter sealed a 2-1 victory over Worthing United
There were two changes to the starting XI that were edged out at Loxwood the previous Saturday, with Peter Cooper and Toby Clifford returning in place of the absent Bailo Camara and Aaron Filsell.
United began strongly without fully testing Worthing ‘keeper Trigwell as a combination of long range efforts and crosses were comfortably gathered.
United were forced into an early change after Adam Sargent miscontrolled a ball back to him and ended up diving at the feet of Paul Elliott in an attempt to regain possession, but ended up suffering a gashed chin and suspected concussion as a result.
With no substitute ‘keeper on the bench, Tobi Hutchinson was forced into a reshuffle and Toby Clifford replaced Sargent between the sticks.
After a near ten minute delay, Worthing looked to test Clifford and James Wotherspoon came close with an attempted lob that ended up on the roof of the net before Wotherspoon tested Clifford five minutes later with a low effort that the replacement ‘keeper did well to get down to.
It was United who were to take the lead however as Dave Smart and Liam Painter linked up well on the left wing, with the latter swinging in a precise cross for Peter Cooper who looped a header back across Trigwell and into the top corner.
Worthing were soon level with one of the goals of the season at The Oval, as Wotherspoon flicked the ball on to Elliott who hit a first time dipping volley from 25 yards that sailed across the stranded Clifford and in off the underside of the bar to applause from all inside the ground.
The second half saw United put Worthing under pressure with a steady stream of free kicks and corners that were manfully defended by the visitors, with Painter and Bunn also testing Trigwell.
With the game, and season looking likely to finish in a draw, up stepped Painter who took control of the ball just inside the Worthing half and with the visiting defenders backing off, cut inside 25 yards from goal and curled and effort into the far corner past Trigwell to finish the season in style.
Highlights
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85:00
Goal
2 - 0
Liam Painter scores for Eastbourne United AFC
80:00
Sub On
Jake Tompsett is substituted on for Eastbourne United AFC
80:00
Sub Off
Tyler O'Callaghan is substituted off for Eastbourne United AFC
70:00
Sub On
Oscar Hall is substituted on for Eastbourne United AFC
70:00
Sub Off
Peter Cooper is substituted off for Eastbourne United AFC
End of period 1
31:00
Goal
1 - 0
Peter Cooper scores for Eastbourne United AFC
15:00
Sub Off
Adam Sargent is substituted off for Eastbourne United AFC
15:00
Sub On
Ben Weiss is substituted on for Eastbourne United AFC
Start of the game
Replay game
As it happened
- Eastbourne United AFC
- Worthing United
- 0
-
Ben Weiss Sub On 15:00'
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Adam Sargent Sub Off 15:00'
-
Peter Cooper Goal 31:00'
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Peter Cooper Sub Off 70:00'
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Oscar Hall Sub On 70:00'
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Jake Tompsett Sub On 80:00'
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Tyler O'Callaghan Sub Off 80:00'
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Liam Painter Goal 85:00'
Team selection
Team selection has not been published for this fixture yet.
League round up
Other Premier Division results
League table
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 8. | Loxwood | 38 | 71 |
| 9. | Broadbridge Heath | 38 | 63 |
| 10. | Eastbourne United AFC | 38 | 63 |
| 11. | Littlehampton Town | 38 | 60 |
| 12. | Arundel | 38 | 56 |
| 13. | Hassocks | 38 | 47 |
| 14. | Worthing United | 38 | 42 |
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