Midhurst win at Arundel - Unicorn and Wick are out of cup

Midhurst won 3-1 at Arundel / Picture: Tommy McMillan

Midhurst and Easebourne FC returned to action after a four-month break with a 3-1 win at Arundel thanks to Marcus Bedford's treble in the SCLF Supplementary Shield.

The game started at a fast pace as the hosts put the Stags under pressure from the first whistle.

Arundel had the first big chance when a corner led to a shot being deflected wide by one of their own players.

In the 16th minute Liam Dreckmann beat his man and put in a great cross – and Marcus Bedford got in front of his man and headed home.

On 36 minutes Jake Slater opened up the Arundel defence with a great ball which put Bedford through and his first-time shot flew past the Arundel keeper.

Three minutes before the break Stags keeper Josh Bird made a smart save. Stags had the ball in the net in the 55th minute when Lewis Hamilton picked out Bedford, but he was flagged offside.

Arundel pulled a goal back in the 66th minute as a rare mistake by Stags full-back Oli Kershaw allowed Harry Callaghan to net.

Bird made a couple of good saves then for the Stags Bedford forced a save from the Arundel keeper.

Arundel pushed men forward and were caught on the break as Hamilton was bundled over in the box for a penalty that Bedford converted.

Stags boss Andy Ewen said: “It was great to get back to competitive football. We have a good group and the lads know we’ll be rotating, giving everyone opportunities to play after difficult times.”

Unicorn & Wick 3 Goring 2

Unicorn and Wick have been eliminated from the West Sussex and District Sunday League Division One Cup – but manager Dennis Barclay insisted: “We went out on our shields.”