Selsey 4 Oakwood 0: Football family unites to pay fitting tribute to Selsey president David White

Selsey gave a dominant display to beat Oakwood, beating them with goals by Cameron Corell, Ryan Morey, Ben Mepham and Joe Manners.
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There was only one side in the game, but the home side took a long time to establish a winning lead.

Chances were missed by Morey, Brad Dean, James Kilhams and three times by Joe Clarke, who shot wide, hit the post and headed wide.

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It was an emotional occasion as the entire Selsey club gave tribute to their president David White who passed away recently.

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His family joined the first team, reserves and all ten youth teams out on the pitch where they held a minute’s silence and gave a minute’s applause.

Officials from both Selsey and Oakwood and the family laid wreaths in the centre while tributes were given.

Selsey manager Steve Bailey spoke glowingly of the man who kept the club going during difficult times and was pleased to mark the day with a victory.

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He said: “After winning five on the spin and winning team of the month to losing two really poorly, it was nice to come back and a win, especially today.

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“I thought the occasion got to us a bit. We were rushing it and trying to be too good but it was comfortable in the end.

“It was well supported, Dave was a terrific guy.

“We’ve had some torrid times over the last couple of years and he’s been 100 per cent behind us.

“It was nice for whole youth set-up out there, supporting what he was aiming for.

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“It was a good thing the family was there which must have been very hard.”

The former chairman had been at the club since the 1990s, helped them when they nearly went out of business and was instrumental in bringing in Bailey.

Bailey added: “We are building the youth, which was Dave’s vision and a lot of the good things happening here are as a result of his hard work.”

Corell gave Selsey the lead in the 33rd minute from short-range on the rebound after an initial attempt was blocked.

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Morey made in 2-0 with a wonderful goal direct from a corner which deceived Oaks’ stand-in keeper Joe Clarke in the strong chill sea breeze – he missed the ball with his punch, allowing it to go straight into the net.

The second half was one-way traffic, with a further goal added by Mepham, who headed in Morey’s free-kick after 81 minutes.

Manners added a fourth three minutes beofre the end, heading in a cross from left.

Oakwood’s main chances came from Toby Gilbert and Kieron Purkis, who shot well over the bar.

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Selsey: Smith, McGreal, Parsons, Chittock, Kilhams, Lynch, Corell (Groom 65), Manners, Dean (Miller 50), Clarke (Mepham 80), Morey.

Unused sub: Dine

Oakwood: Clark, T.Gilbert (Gardiner 65), Berger, Wells, Piller, Wragg, Purkis, Nourse (Matthes 61), Slark, Tidey, Gallaagher.

Unused subs: Shuga’a

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