Mussels claim a crucial three points off Chi

Mullets overcame basement side Chichester, who played most of the second half with 10 men, in the Boxing Day clash at Mill Road.

Gary Norgate’s double claimed three crucial points for Arundel, although they remained in the last relegation spot, five points ahead of second-from-bottom St Francis, while Chichester remain well adrift, 12 points behind Arundel.

Torode now sees every one of Mullets’ remaining games as crucial, while also keeping his side fit is key to their survival hopes. He said: “We had to win it, really, it wasn’t the prettiest of spectacles, but we got the job done.

“We needed the three points to keep us in touch with those above us, but I think it’s going to be a battle to the end.

“It has pulled those above us back in, although Shoreham have been on a good run and they look like they will get out of it. Ringmer, though, are back in and Worthing United aren’t much above them.”

Norgate crashed home the opener on 21 minutes after he was fed in the box and controlled the ball before firing home into the bottom right-hand corner, which is how it remained at half-time.

Within just three minutes of the second half, Norgate had doubled the lead, as he made some space and applied the finish, again into the bottom corner.

Chi then had a player sent off, before winning a soft-looking penalty on the hour mark after Josh Sutcliffe was penalised in the area, much to Torode’s surprise as he felt there was no contact.

He said: “After going 2-0 up, I thought it was going to be comfortable, but they lost a player right after our second goal which made them play better, to be honest. They then got a penalty right out of the blue and it was a bit nip and tuck from them on – a bit of a heart stopper.”

Arundel keeper James Fernandes was forced into a low stop from a long-range effort, but that was the closest Chi went to an equaliser.