His goals were vital as The Barrowmen squeezed to a 4-3 win over their near neighbours and rivals Southwick. On a sunny afternoon at Old Barn Way new manager Gerry Murphy's stamp on the side was highly visual throughout as they showed a strong character, and good organisation and held their nerve to run out winners in a very competitive and hard fought match.

However, it was the home side that started the stronger and on ten minutes we were lucky not to go behind when Wickers striker McDowell struck the outside of Ben Rose's right post. Once we settled though we got our teeth into the match and started to make inroads of our own with Craig Knowles tormenting nicely down the right.

We created the best of the chances and almost went ahead when a good delivery from Knowles found Ash Elms on the penalty spot who volleyed just inches over the bar.
We persisted with Chad Milner, Shane Moses and Rob Clark looking threatening with Ben Greer grafting hard again in midfield, however the hosts still had a lot to say and near the break Rose dived to his right to save well from Myers.

During this period of the match though we were the stronger side and right on half-time got our reward when Knowles set up Ben Greer to hit a terrific low 30 yard low drive straight into the back of the Wickers net with literally the last kick of the half. Always a particularly nice time to take the lead! 1-0 Town!!
Half time - Southwick 0 Town 1

In the second-half, just like in the first, Wickers started on the 'front foot' and after just five minutes they drew level with a goal from the persistent McDowell after a slip by Webb. 1-1.

We did not however let the set back set us back and just two minutes later restored our lead when Milner burst into their box and hit a fine angled drive finding the far corner of Wickers net for his third goal in two games. 2-1 Town!!

The match was a bit like the 'alamo' round about this time as it only took another three minutes for the scores to level again when Myers header from a free kick just about crept inside our near post for 2-2.

Despite having pressure to absorb ourselves, we were the better side on the counter and continued to press and on seventy minutes Knowles finished off a nice four man move with a sublime finish, lobbing the Wickers keeper to find the middle of their net for 3-2 to Town. Come on Town!

On seventy five we gave ourselves a little bit of a 'cushion' when Greer again found the net with a decent finish after Clarks long range effort fell at his feet in the box. 4-2 Town!!

With ten minutes to go a cracking 25 yard left foot volley effort from Wickers right-back Demario flew in just under Rose's crossbar to set up a 'grand finale' at 4-3. That was the Southwick goal of the season settled right there and then.

We held our nerve though with Rose keeping out a couple of good efforts and ended the day well worthy of all three points and indeed sealing a winning start for the new manager.

Great all round effort, kept the heads up, kept coming back out fighting when on the ropes and the newly found belief shone through! Still massive room for improvements but the early signs of Murphys reign look promising.

Final score - Southwick 3 Town 4

(Next Saturday we have another 'local derby' away to Mile Oak - KO @ Chalky Road 3pm)

Town line up - Rose, Hare, Webb, Dodd, Wadey, Elms (capt), Greer, Knowles, Milner (Taylor), Moses, Clark Unused subs - Pugley, Smart

Ref - Anthony O'Brien Assts - Duncan Carter & Patrick O'Reilly