Bennett pleased with Golds’ form

Golds, who are now unbeaten in four league games, were held 0-0 by high-flying Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday evening, after a 3-1 win against Mile Oak on Saturday.

Littlehampton boss Mark Bennett is pleased with his side’s form and is hopeful of finishing in one of the three promotion places. He said: “A draw was probably a fair result against Dorking.

“In my opinion, they’re the best side we’ve played this season and we were pleased with a point as we had a few players missing, but we had chances to win it and those two extra points could be huge by the end of the season.

“But, it’s still only November and there’s a long way still to go and there will be a lot of twists and turns.

“We’re hopeful of getting up into the top three and won’t give up trying.”

Golds had the best opening of the first half on Tuesday but Jason Jarvis opted to pass when he was in a good position to shoot.

Danny Hand missed with a free header on 70 minutes and then went down in the penalty area but Golds’ penalty appeals were waved away. Golds had one last opportunity to win it but substitute Jimmy Taylor drove wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Bennett praised keeper Jon Hendrick after Golds’ win over Mile Oak on Saturday.

Golds had Hendrick to thank for their 1-0 half-time lead. He denied Chris Paine with a header, Lloyd Skinner’s drive was beaten away and Michael Gould saw a snap-shot turned away by the stopper.

Taylor, Alex Kew and Danny Hand had Littlehampton’s best chances in an even first half, which saw them go in at the break a goal up thanks to Jarvis’ goal on 40 minutes.

Oak’s Aaron Ransom had a shot cleared off the line before Jarvis doubled Golds’ lead 25 minutes from time with a close-range finish.

Paine’s 25-yarder was tipped over by Hendrick as Oak continued to press, and they did pull a goal back through Skinner’s low finish on 73 minutes.

That kept Oak in contention for a point, but Paine’s late own goal was enough for Golds to seal the points.

Bennett said: “Jon was excellent, he kept us in it in the first half and a win’s a win. We made hard work of it but the fact we had four or five key players out and still won is pleasing.”

Golds are at Seaford on Saturday.

LITTLEHAMPTON v Dorking: J.Hendrick; Goff, A.Wrigley, McKay, M.Hand; Gaskin, Bibb, J.Wrigley, Kew; Jarvis, D.Hand. Subs: Taylor (Kew 45), Peters (Goff 50), Kempson (Gaskin 80).

v Mile Oak: J.Hendrick; Peters, McKay, A.Wrigley, M Hand; Taylor, Bibb, J.Wrigley, M.Hendrick; Jarvis, Kew. Subs: D.Hand (M.Hendrick 15), Elder (Bibb 64), Gaskin (Taylor 77), Janman.