Littlehampton went into Tuesday night’s Pitching In Isthmian League South East Division
game against AFC Croydon Athletic in desperate need of league points. A run of three victories in February had pulled Golds clear of the trap door and that marvellous victory over Eastbourne Borough in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup had increased the feel good factor.

However Saturday’s loss at Margate was their fourth league defeat in succession and Phoenix Sports' revival over the same period meant Golds ended the day in the relegation zone, albeit by only one point.

This home fixture against a visiting side with little to play for was an ideal opportunity to stop the rot but it was clear Golds were short of confidence in a first half largely devoid of incident. Kieron Pamment had an early effort narrowly off target but both sides cancelled each other out in a stop-start affair.

The second half saw a much improved Littlehampton performance that saw them dominate possession and territory. Clear sights on goal were at a premium though until the 63rd minute when Golds finally made the breakthrough.

Pamment’s free kick from the left was only partially cleared to Nodirbek Bobomurodov who lashed home crisply from about 15 yards with the aid of a slight deflection from a Croydon defender. It was no more than Golds deserved and from then on they kept the visitors comfortably at arms length.

Jordan Layton came close to doubling the advantage towards the end but was denied by Amadou Tangara in the visitor's goal. However James Binfield remained untroubled at the other end as Littlehampton deservedly held on to a victory that pulled them two points clear of the relegation zone. With four of their remaining seven league games at the Sportsfield there will be optimism that with more performances like this Golds can steer themselves clear of danger.

John Clarke