Eight in a row! Smith strikes late to keep Bognor's winning run going

Bognor have won eight games in a row / Picture by Tommy McMillan

The Rocks could have hit double figures in a dominant display but were happy to make do with a late winner by Smith.

Merstham had the first real chance of the game five minutes in as winger Brendan Ocran was sent in through on goal but Amadou Tangara raced out to make a good save. The following ball into the box nearly forced Joe Cook to turn the ball into his own net.

The opening seven minutes were as entertaining as ever, and Bognor were next with a chance to take the lead as Josh Flint’s strike rattled against the post and Doug Tuck couldn’t convert the rebound.

Unfortunately, Bognor were forced into an early change as Tuck hobbled off the fieldten minutes in, replaced by Harvey Whyte. Bognor nearly went ahead as Ashton Leigh put in a dangerous cross which flew over the goalkeeper but the ball couldn’t be nudged home.

Bognor hit the woodwork for the second time as the resulting corner was headed by James Crane, but somehow the ball didn’t roll over the line. A quiet spell ended when Whyte’s skills in the middle sent the ball down the line to Ashton.Leigh, whose first time cross was fumbled by Matte Pierson, but Smith couldn’t get a toe to the ball.

It was like deja vu as Ashton.Leigh was sent down the line but Smith couldn’t get in front of the defender to poke home.

Finally after 34 minutes the Rocks took the lead when Tommy.Leigh was first to react from a fumble in the box to tap home and put Bognor 1-0 up.

Crane nearly scored his fourth goal in two games, Ashton.Leigh’s cross finding the head of the defender but he couldn’t direct the ball on target. Against the run of play Merstham had an effort on goal, but Tangara held the ball well. HT 1-0

It took only two minutes for Bognor to have their first chance of the second half. A poor clearance gave Smith a great chance to double the lead, but his strong shot was well saved by Pierson who pushed the ball away.

How on earth Bognor didn’t make it two on 53 minutes, no-one at Nyewood Lane will know. Tommy.Leigh was once again involved as his shot was inches from bobbling over the line after a scramble six yards out.

Rocks were all over Merstham and could have added another goal. Some great play between, Ashton.Leigh and Smith gave Brad Lethbridge the perfect chance to score but his shot was cleared off the line.

Bognor failed to clear the lines and were bombarded with attacks by the visitors, but some brave defending and an important save by Tangara allowed the ball to go out for a corner which led to nothing.

But Bognor were left dumbfounded as Merstham equalised with 10 minutes left. A cheap free kick given away meant Splatt put in the perfect ball into the box which seemed to miss everybody and trickle in off a touch by veteran Barry Hayles.

Bognor pressed again and with just one minute remaining, they regained their lead. Smith rose highest to meet Lethbridge’s delicious cross into the box and headed the ball into the top of the net to the delight of the players and the home faithful.

The win means Bognor have won ten of their past 11 games and remain eighth.

Bognor: Tangara, Dandy, Cook, Wood, Crane, Flint, Tuck, T.Leigh, A.Leigh, Smith, Lethbridge. Subs: Whyte, Hopkinson, Walsh, Wakley, Baker