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Report courtesy of 'The Littlehampton Gazette' Thank you
Returning Towers takes positives despite defeat on Monday.
Returning Richard Towers has no doubt Arundel Football Club can get themselves out of trouble following his first game back in charge on Monday. Kieran Hartley got the only goal nine minutes before the break to ensure rivals Chichester City condemned Towers to a 1-0 home defeat after making a return to Mill Road.
The former Wick manager, who replaced joint bosses Barry Pidgeon and Craig Stuart last week, believes he can steer Arundel clear of danger in the coming months. Arundel’s defeat, coupled with a point for Wick at Pagham, saw Mullets slip into the relegation zone on goal difference. However, having seen his squad in a game situation, Towers has no fears.
He said: “I was pleased with the performances from some of the players. “It’s never nice losing, but we gave it a good go and Chichester are a good side. “We had a couple of chances but young Harry Russell looked a little anxious in front of goal. “I’m really looking forward to working with a young squad here and seeing what we can do. “I’m not concerned whatsoever and believe we’ll get ourselves out of trouble.
“The squad here is a good one, I’m always on the look-out for players that will improve a team but I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far.” Harry Russell had a good opening early on but his soft effort was straight at Anthony Ender in Chichester’s goal. The only goal came nine minute before the break when Hartley raced clear and slotted past James Fernandes. Mullets kept things tight and could have nicked a late leveller. Once again the ball fell kindly to Harry Russell but this time he could not adjust his feet quick enough.
Following Wick’s point at Pagham, Towers saw his team slip into the relegation places after just one game in charge.
Mullets are now without a game for a couple of weeks before returning to action on January 21 with a home clash against Broadbridge Heath. Richard Towers admits going so long without a game is far from ideal so early in his tenure but has organised a inter-club friendly at Mill Road on Saturday.
He added: “I just want the games to keep coming but we haven’t got one for a couple of weeks now. “When you first come into any club you need games to see how the players are in that situation. “It’s worked out that we don’t have one for a couple of weeks now, so that’s a little frustrating. “I’ve organised a game between the reserves and firs team to take place on Saturday, then I can have a real look at what we have at the club.
“As I’ve said, I have been really pleased with what I’ve seen here so far and can’t wait to keep working and developing the young squad that Arundel have. I think we’re just a win away from things changing .”
Read more at: http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/sport/football/returning-towers-takes-positives-despite-defeat-1-7757288
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Report supplied courtesy of ' The Chichester Observer' Thank you
A stunning strike from in-form winger Kieran Hartley towards the end of the first half proved enough to earn Chichester three points at Arundel on bank holiday Monday. In the FA Cup at Mill Road on the opening day of the season, Arundel won 4-3 – but the fortunes of the two sides have subsequently taken very different directions. City are third in the SCFL premier and unbeaten in the league since they lost to leaders Shoreham in September. Arundel, on the other hand, are third from bottom with only one win in ten. On a bright, fresh morning both sides struggled to get going in their SCFL tussle. Heavy conditions didn’t help.
Without regular No9 and No10 Scott Jones and Max Thoms City lacked their usual cohesion, but the visitors carved out two decent chances in 60 seconds. First, Arundel keeper James Fernandes pulled off an outstanding save, tipping a fierce header round his left stick for a corner, and then the home side’s No1 was happy to see a well-hit effort from Hartley crash into the side netting. This was an important win for us. We went into the game knowing it would be tough.
Arundel played with lots of character and credit to them. Danny Potter, Chi City coach For Arundel, a speculative cross-shot from Dion Jarvis landed on the roof of his net on 14 minutes, a shot from Jordan Dudas was deflected for a corner five minutes later, before Asa Nicholson pulled a drive wide from the edge of the box. The game’s real moment of quality came in the 38th minute. A superb cross-field ball from Josh Clack found Dan Watts wide on the right. Watts powered to the byline and drilled the ball into the box. Hartley ghosted in and found the net with a cultured finish. City had other opportunities before the break. Midfielder Dan Hegarty got on to a Clack corner with a firm header over the bar and following another corner Jack Lee crashed a loose ball against the post. Chichester started the second 45 at a blistering pace.
In Clack and Hartley, City possess real pace down the flanks that suits their high pressing game. Both pulled shots wide and Hartley was unlucky not to reach a cross whipped in by Chi right-back Harry Williams. Watts couldn’t quite get his shot off following a nice run and cross from Jake Goulding. Arundel’s Harry Russell went close on the hour, first following a quick counter-attack after a City corner that caught the visitors short at the back, then breaking through again and firing inches wide. Chi forced four corners in as many minutes. Fernandes cleared the first with a punch, the next resulted in a scrambled effort that troubled the keeper at his near post. Hartley had a fierce shot blocked from the following set-piece before Hegarty headed another wide.
Arundel almost pegged it back to 1-1 on 75 minutes. Barney Boutwood did well to get an effort away but a shot that looked destined for the top corner curled the wrong side of the post. City subs Perry Northeast and Jamie Horncastle, on for Williams and Lee, made valuable contributions. Northeast sent Goulding away with a great pass and Horncastle slid in bravely to get on the end of a cross from Clack. A minute later Horncastle made a timely challenge as City’s last man. Chichester hung on to to pick up a welcome three points. And with Shoreham losing 2-1 to Littlehampton, City closed the gap on the leaders. Chichester coach Danny Potter said: “This was an important win for us. We went into the game knowing it would be tough. “Arundel played with lots of character and credit to them.”
Read more at: http://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/football/local/hartley-strikes-to-give-city-win-at-arundel-1-7758333
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1. James Fernandes
2. Nathan DaCosta (Capt)
3. Liam DaCosta
4. Jordan Dudas
5. Lloyd Walker
6. Alex Biggs
7. Dion Jarvis
8. Cian Tilley
9. Harry Russell
10. Barney Boutwood (80 mins)
11. Asa Nicholson
12. Scott Tipper
14. Jordan Jones (80 mins)
15. Pete Butt
16. Rob Grove
17. Stuart McDonald
Attendance - 67
Goal Scorers - None
Yellow Cards - Liam DaCosta. Jordan Dudas
Red cards - None