Win makes it a happy 80th for Ken

The Commoners chalked up a fourth successive Sussex County Football League Division Two victory despite playing most of Saturday’s match with 10 men.

Common opened the scoring in the first nine minutes. Zack McEniry’s cross was headed on by Lewis Hole and Russell Eldridge outjumped the goalkeeper to head into the net.

Common’s hard-working approach saw them control the remainder of the half with the visitors rarely threatening the home goal and it was no surprise when top scorer Hole netted his 32nd of the campaign on the half-hour with a right-footed effort into the far corner of the net.

Common’s fine afternoon soon turned sour when Hole was shown a straight red card five minutes before the interval following comments made to the match official.

Kicking against the wind and with 10 men, Common knew the second period would be a battle and they adapted well in the early stages before allowing their visitors back into the match on the hour when a cross into the box was spilled by goalkeeper Jon Saunders and trickled over the line.

With 20 minutes to go, the visitors drew level when an inswinging corner found its way straight into the net. Common were soon in front once again, though. A clever free kick between James Vaughan and Eldridge saw the latter hit an unstoppable drive into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Common made the match safe 10 minutes from time when substitute Adam Smith scored with his first touch following McEniry’s header from a Jerome Smith free kick. Saunders was on hand to deny Loxwood late on with McEniry and Smith both blocking efforts to ensure victory.

Common: Saunders, Cooper, Mote (Elliott-Noye), Eldridge, McEniry, J. Smith, Vaughan, Brown, Hole, Lusted (A. Smith), Denny (Bristow).