Littlehampton Seal Oakwood Fate - Littlehampton Town vs. Oakwood

View of The Sportsfield from the balcony of the clubhouse.

I was in Sussex once again for a game this weekend. The game I attended was the Sussex County Division 2 match between Littlehampton Town and Oakwood. The visitors needed a win to have any chance of beating relegation and looking at the league table, it seems like the main problem this season has been that they have drawn too many games. Littlehampton were looking for a win so that they seal fourth place and finish as close to Dorking Wanderers as possible. I'd seen Littlehampton lose after taking the lead at Bexhill the previous month and they looked like a decent side in that match. I visited Oakwood's Tinsley Lane ground in the 2008 - 2009 season when they played Shoreham.

Moments after kick off.

Littlehampton are on top from the opening moments and have an appeal for a penalty waved away by the referee. They soon take the lead when an effort creeps in at the far post despite the best efforts of the Oakwood keeper. They soon have the chance to extend their lead when the Oakwood player slips but the attacker fails to take advantage. Oakwood have their first real attack when the pacey forward gets to the byline and wins corner which is safely gathered by the keeper. Littlehampton have another chance when the right full back darts in to the box but his effort is saved by the keeper at his near post.

Another view of the stand and terraces.

At the start of the second half, the Littlehampton player is fouled on the edge of the box and there is the possibility that the Oakwood defender was the last man but he escapes with a yellow. The resulting free kick goes just wide. The hosts double their lead when the number nine cuts inside from the wing and slams the ball home. They have a great chance when the striker is put clean through but he hits the post. They don't have wait long for third as they soon score following a free kick from the edge of the box. Littlehampton are passing the ball around comfortably and they add a fourth just before full time. A long ball forward isn't cut out and the striker lofts the ball over the keepers head.

The view from the fantastic stand.

Littlehampton is another brilliant Sussex coastal town and it worth arriving early for a walk down to the seafront. The town centre has a few interesting pubs for a pint before the game. The Dolphin is decorated with lots of war time objects and The Crown Hotel across the road is decorated with lots of naval memorabilia. The ground is a fifteen minute walk from Littlehampton station. Trains to Littlehampton depart from Victoria every half hour and the journey takes the best part of two hours. The clubhouse is quite large and it possible to watch the game from the balcony and the clubhouse has Sky Sports.

View down the far touchline. The clubhouse and cricket pavilion are in the background.