Mile Oak downed by struggling Saltdean
By Mollie Bennett
MILE Oak Football Club went down to defeat at home to bottom-of-the-table Saltdean United last Wednesday.
On a difficult pitch, the first half was a scrappy affair as rock-bottom Saltdean are fighting for their lives.
Nick Kerly headed just wide, before Oak went ahead through Kieran Howard’s 36th-minute 25-yard volley.
The Tigers equalised almost instantly courtesy of Dan Davis, who neatly finished into the bottom corner. Oak almost went back ahead before half-time but Kerly’s shot hit a post.
Saltdean took the lead with 20 minutes left when Leighton Freeman bundled a low cross home. Oak pushed for an equaliser and Ryan Pretlove had an effort saved and Gary French was booked for diving when Oak felt they should have had a penalty.
Elliot Quant made it 3-1 to Saltdean, before Chris Paine got a goal back but Mile Oak were unable to find an equaliser.
Mile Oak assistant manager Tony Burnett said: “It was disappointing to lose after being on a good run and beating top-of-the-table Littlehampton.
“It was a stonewall penalty on Gary and, if it had been given, it would have been a different game.
“We seem to struggle against the lower sides but they are fighting for their lives and they only won their first game a few weeks ago.”
MILE OAK: Stenning; Marsh, Paine; Loughlin, Austin-Slade; French, Howard, Eaton, Pretlove; Kerly, Ransom. Subs: Pulling (Eaton 65); Wedge-Bull, Burnett (Ransom, Kerly 73).