Littlehampton Town 2 Redhill 1

Blighted by injury, Redhill were knocked out of the John O’Hara League Cup in the second round by Littlehampton on Saturday, writes Michael Stewart.

The Reds were without much of the first-choice midfield and leading centre forward Luke Jones. On top of that Scott Kenward could not play.

Injured midfielder Mark Sherwin, deputised between the posts. But despite all this, after two impressive displays in the league, Redhill had high hopes when they travelled to the relegated Littlehampton.

But Marigolds Manager Carl Stabler, who lead them to FA Vase and FA Cup glory in the 1990s, had assembled a squad that a Division One side would be proud of.

Reds started brightly with Herve King involved in most of Reds attacks.

On the half-hour mark Nathan Hartigan won the ball in midfield but was harshly adjudged to have fouled the home player. Young’s free kick, taken too far up the pitch, left Sherwin motionless as the ball crashed into the net.

A stunning drive from Tabor in the opening minute of the second half saw the ball thunder into the roof of the net for 2-0 But Reds were thrown a lifeline when a cross was diverted into his own net by a home defender to cut the Littlehampton lead back to one goal.

Redhill only remain in one other cup competition, adding extra spice to the mouth-watering Surrey Senior Cup tie at home to Leatherhead on December 2.

On Saturday, Kiln Brow hosts a game of crucial importance as Ian Dawes’ men entertain Southwick who are just two places above them in the Division One table.

REDHILL FC: Sherwin, King (Shears 78), Whithread, Osborn, Vant, Moger, D.Graves, Edmonds (Biggar 45), Dearowa, Hartigan, Sinclair. Unused: Franks