Gunners finally ended their losing streak with a well deserved 4-1 win over Loxwood Res at Laurel Park. The pitch at Laurel Park was a definite improvement over last season.
Gunners started the game brightly and had some early possession before Loxwood got more into the game.
The opening goal came from a penalty which was scored by Stuart Bye after the opposing player had handled the ball.
Gunners also had a couple of other chances to score the closest of which came from a Peter Ali cross from the right which Matt Rees was unable to turn into the net.
However Gunners added a second when Dave Owen slipped the ball to Richard Alderton whose left foot shot crept inside the post for his first goal for Gunners. Gunners had a 2-0 lead at half time.
Loxwood had a great chance to get back into the game early in the second half when a goal bound shot was very well saved by Julian Willis.
The defence were under a bit more pressure in the second half and although it wasn’t pretty they did just enough to clear the ball away from goal.
Gunners did manage to extend their lead when substitute Marcus Randle hooked the ball towards the opposing goal, the Loxwood keeper tried to punch the ball out and ended up punching the ball into his own net for an own goal.
Gunners looked comfortable at this point but Loxwood pushed more men forward and game themselves a life line when a ball was played over the top of the defence which Gunners were not able to clear and the Loxwood forward struck a sweet shot from outside the box into the goal.
However, a few minutes later Gunners killed the game off when Paul Ali played Matt Rees through on goal and he neatly slipped the ball past the keeper for his first goal for the team after 45 appearances for the club.
Gunners ended up 4-1 winners and were good value for the win. Peter Ali was Gunners "Man of the Match" for a good defensive display.
Match Facts
MOM : Pe Ali
Goals : S Bye (1), M Rees (1), R Alderton (1), Own Goal (1)
Team
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