#mileoak

By Mollie Bennett

MILE Oak Football Club went down to defeat at home to bottom-of-the-table Saltdean United last Wednesday. 

On a difficult pitch, the first half was a scrappy affair as rock-bottom Saltdean are fighting for their lives. 

Nick Kerly headed just wide, before Oak went ahead through Kieran Howard’s 36th-minute 25-yard volley. 

The Tigers equalised almost instantly courtesy of Dan Davis, who neatly finished into the bottom corner. Oak almost went back ahead before half-time but Kerly’s shot hit a post. 

Saltdean took the lead with 20 minutes left when Leighton Freeman bundled a low cross home. Oak pushed for an equaliser and Ryan Pretlove had an effort saved and Gary French was booked for diving when Oak felt they should have had a penalty. 

Elliot Quant made it 3-1 to Saltdean, before Chris Paine got a goal back but Mile Oak were unable to find an equaliser. 

Mile Oak assistant manager Tony Burnett said: “It was disappointing to lose after being on a good run and beating top-of-the-table Littlehampton. 

“It was a stonewall penalty on Gary and, if it had been given, it would have been a different game. 

“We seem to struggle against the lower sides but they are fighting for their lives and they only won their first game a few weeks ago.”