Depleted Swans pick up a good point

A superb save by the Westfield keeper from Luke Jearum’s penalty late on failed to snatch the win for the visitors after a hard-fought and physical game.

Swans were already without four regulars, before Tom Pickford pulled out the morning of the game with a neck injury, and Chris Johnson did not turn up, which left them with just one outfield sub.

Storrington manager Nigel Dyer, however, was impressed with his side’s display and hailed his players. He said: “After last week’s poor performance, we were looking to get back on track. It was a hard-fought performance from us in an end-to-end physical game, which, overall, I thought we should have won as we had the better chances to do so.

“We did especially well with the players we had missing and changing a lot of the positions that players are used to playing.”

Swans started well with Marcus Robertshaw causing problems every time he was on the ball. Lack of communication led to a couple of chances on goal for Westfield but poor finishing let them down, while at the other end, Chris Watton drove a beauty against the bar.

The second half started with Westfield on top, but Swans stood firm with the central pairing of Sam Elliott and Alex Forsey playing well.

Swans got two efforts off the line from two corners as Jason Downer pounced on one and Elliott smashed away another.

From a John Rhodie pass, Robertshaw shot just wide, before again beating the defence and setting up Joe Warner with what seemed a simple tap in, only for the ball to get trapped between his legs.

Westfield then had a couple chances of their own but poor finishing again cost them.

Robertshaw was then caught by the Westfield keeper and the referee pointed to the spot. But Jearum’s spot-kick was matched with an equally good save.

Dyer added: “Watton and Jearum worked their socks off in midfield. Also, Alex Forsey came in for his first start at centre-back and was superb alongside Sam Elliott, to earn the man-of-the-match award.”

STORRINGTON: Downer; Davis, S.Elliott, Forsey, Rhodie; Jarvie, Watton, Jearum, Robertshaw; Humphreys, Warner. Subs: Loversidge, G.Elliott

l Swans’ home match with Littlehampton in the league on Tuesday was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.