Weather and Pitch Conditions
It was a very cold, sunny winter’s day at Mill Road, with the pitch remaining firm with a little give and frozen in places. While many other league fixtures fell victim to frozen pitches, full credit must go to the fantastic voluntary ground staff at Mill Road for ensuring the match could go ahead.
Team News
• Unavailable: Sam Conolly (injury), Billy Ground (injury)
• Returning to the Squad: Sam Pearson, Steve Herbert, Harrison Mott, Matt Storm, Luke Fenlon
Match Report
Having suffered a heavy 1–5 defeat in the opening league game of the season, Arundel knew they faced a stern test in this quarter-final clash, with the winner progressing to a semi-final away at Godalming Town.
The match proved to be a tightly contested and entertaining affair. Both sides showed their intent from the off, creating decent chances at either end through neat passages of play. However, it was AFC Walcountians who drew first blood on 22 minutes, as their left winger cut inside and calmly slotted home past Maicek Kason into the Arundel net.
As the half wore on, Arundel began to assert themselves, with Zac Bignell and Daegan Walsh both going close, but neither could find the finishing touch. The visitors held a slender 1–0 advantage at the break.
The introduction of Matt Storm and Sam Pearson in the second half injected fresh impetus into Arundel’s attack. Despite this, it was Walcountians who doubled their lead in the 56th minute, courtesy of a deflected low drive that crept just inside the post.
Arundel responded well, with Sam Pearson firing narrowly wide from five yards after good work from Zac Bignell. Moments later, Walcountians nearly extended their lead further, blazing the ball over the bar after a quick break.
The comeback was on when Sam Pearson latched onto a ball over the top, lifting his effort smartly over the advancing keeper to bring Arundel back to 1–2.
The game became frenetic as both sides poured forward in search of the next goal.
With four minutes remaining, Harry Russell levelled the scores, powering home a firm header from a corner to make it 2–2 and set up a grandstand finish.
As the match seemed destined for penalties, heartbreak struck for Arundel in the 92nd minute, when Walcountians scrambled home a close-range winner. The visitors were reduced to ten men late on, but managed to hold on and book their semi-final spot against Godalming Town.
Match Summary and Key Details
• Final Score: Arundel 2–3 AFC Walcountians
• Scorers (Arundel): Sam Pearson, Harry Russell
• Discipline: Levi Martin (Yellow), Will Breden (Yellow), Harrison Mott (Sin Bin)
• Man of the Match: Luke Fenlon
• Next Fixture: Arundel vs Loxwood FC, Tuesday 6th January, 19:45 KO
Conclusion
Despite a spirited and battling performance, Arundel were left to rue what might have been after a dramatic late defeat. The team will look to regroup quickly and take positives from their display as they prepare to face Loxwood FC in their next game in the league.
