This was a game EP had to win to keep the pressure on the other sides at the top of County League Division 1, against an Arundel side in a poor run of form. It was the visitors who started by far the brighter of the two teams in a relatively uneventful first period. Mullets should have gone ahead with just three minutes on the clock as Josh Biggs crossed from the left for Grant Thetford to slot home from point-blank range but somehow Ben Rose managed to throw himself in front of the midfielder’s effort and keep the scores level. Arundel did take the lead in the 16th minute of the game, though, as the impressive Jordan Dudas broke powerfully from midfield and fed Mike Huckett, whose chip eluded the onrushing Rose. Arundel continued to control the game without creating any chances against an off-colour EP until the break. The warning signs for the visitors began just four minutes into the second half as Joe Shelley headed over from a corner and five minutes later Marc Pullan had his header saved from a similar source. Still EP struggled for a cutting edge until Richard Hudson’s introduction which almost immediately saw James Fernandes forced into an awkward save at his near post, before the winger was slightly harshly booked for diving, having cut inside Nathan Da Costa, although a penalty may also have been unfair on the right-back. The game changed in the 82nd minute as Nick Fogden’s long throw caused havoc in the visiting defence, but Ash Hunter’s superb header off the line maintained Arundel’s lead. From the resulting corner, however, Shelley was allowed to head home unchallenged from three yards to bring the scores level. EP sealed the points in the 87th minute as Mullets failed to clear and Dan Simmonds smashed the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The visitors almost rescued a point at the death but Alex Staines’ header was clawed away by Rose. A relieved EP boss Dominic Di Paola said afterwards: “We were terrible in the first half. I felt that the introduction of Richard Hudson made a difference but injuries are hindering us at the moment, so I have to be happy with the three points.” A frustrated Mullets manager Brett Torode lamented: “I felt we bossed the first half and deservedly got a lead. “I thought Jordan Dudas had an excellent game, but you can’t afford to leave players of their calibre free to have an effort on goal. I can’t fault the effort of any of my lads, though.”
