Loxwood hit AFC Uckfield for six to extend unbeaten run

Goals from Mark Pritchard-Cave, Toby House, Byron Napper, Clyde Jacques and a Michael Wood brace helped the Magpies to victory in what manager Mark Beard described as the best the club has played in his reign.

It sees them extend their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions as they named an unchanged side for the first team this season.

The result lifted them up to ninth in the table, leapfrogging their hosts and Beard said: “It was easily the best game we have played since I have been here.

“From start to finish, after the first ten minutes, we were excellent. We were not being patient enough at first – as I have been told three or four times by people that have played them (AFC Uckfield), that they like to stick 11 behind the ball.

“We were rushing and trying to force it in behind, when we should have been patient. I said to them even if we keep it for 30 passes and bring it back, that’s fine. Once we did that, we dominated and it could have been a few more as well.

“We looked a lot more solid at the back and going forwards the movement and quality was unbelievable.

“Tony House and Michael Wood are really starting up a good partnership. They were always making good runs and getting in good areas, but now the passes are coming off and it is starting to click. They are full of confidence.”

In an even opening 20 minutes, Uckfield did have the ball in the net in the seventh minute but Phil Broom was flagged offside. In the 22nd minute, Wood was fouled just inside the area and Cave stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot kick.

After spurning a couple of good chances and having one ruled out for offside, Joel Colbran’s low driven cross was finished by House to give Loxwood a 2-0 lead at the break.

In the 53rd minute, Loxwood added a third when Wood followed up a Rhyan Ramsey shot. Byron Napper then unleashed a left-footed drive that went in off the post leaving the ‘keeper motionless.

With 15 minutes left, Beard delivered another excellent ball into the box and Clyde Jacques seized on the loose ball to prod home.

Three minutes from time despite a good stop by Harrison Hilfiker, Uckfield substitute Shaun Loft tucked away the rebound for a consolation goal.

Two minutes later though the five-goal lead was restored when Tom Summerfield slipped the ball to Wood who beat his man and tucked the ball home.

Loxwood: Hilfiker, Bachelor, Jacques, Scally, Colbran (Summerfield 60), Beard, Cave (French 72), Napper, Ramsey, Wood, House (Haulkham 72). Unused subs Raman, Smith.

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