Roffey target crucial period after return to winning ways

Roffey manager Tim Penlington is looking forward to a exciting Christmas period after they got back to winning ways on Saturday.
football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634544 SUS-161127-160353001football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634544 SUS-161127-160353001
football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards SR1634544 SUS-161127-160353001

The Bartholomew Way side put two straight defeats behind them with a Sussex Intermediate Cup victory over East Sussex Premier League high fliers Old Hastonians.

Roffey had suffered their first defeat of the season against Jarvis Brook at the start of the month, before exiting the Division 2 Cup to Alfold sevens days ago.

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But goals from Luke MacGregor, Jamie Wanstall, Gavin Fowler and Ben Chowney helped them to a 4-1 win on Saturday.

football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634539football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634539
football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards SR1634539

Penlington said: “We had a good win over Old Hastonians and have an exciting home tie against Crowborough Reserves (last 16) coming up.

“We have a tough side of the draw with Lewes under-21s and Bosham on this side but I feel we can compete with anyone.”

Roffey, who also sit fifth in the Division 2 table, still have promotion in their sights ahead of a clash with second-place Sidlesham on Saturday.

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The Sids are ten points ahead of Roffey having played two more games and Penlington added: “I still very much believe we can achieve promotion through the league.

football. Roffey v Old Hastonians.  Pic Steve Robards  SR1634582 SUS-161127-160653001football. Roffey v Old Hastonians.  Pic Steve Robards  SR1634582 SUS-161127-160653001
football. Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards SR1634582 SUS-161127-160653001

“There is a core of about four or five teams who are all in the mix but we have proven that we are as good as anyone.

“Now I have a few injuries back and we have strengthened the squad I am very optimistic about our chances I am looking forward to an exciting December and 2017.”

Against Hastonians, Fowler headed a corner into MacGregor who fired Roffey ahead after ten minutes and despite more pressure, that is how the scoreline remained at half-time.

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At the start of the second half, Dan Dunster swung a free-kick in and Wanstall was able to meet it to head past the goalkeeper.

football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634539football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards  SR1634539
football Roffey v Old Hastonians. Pic Steve Robards SR1634539

The visitors were then handed a lifeline with a generous penalty which was dispatched with 15 minutes left to play.

As the visitors pushed forwards, Roffey struck on a counter-attack when Chowney released Fowler to slot home, before Chowney’s effort late on also crossed the line.

Roffey: Jeal, Coughlan, Major, Rendell, Simester, Dunster, Macgregor, Wanstall, Chowney, Fowler, Nourse. Subs: Robinson, Munday, Lardent.