The Old Barn complete a footballing first for West Sussex

Dean Brockwell’s team beat Dor’ve Phlatseo in the final having beaten three of the best sides in the Sussex Sunday Premier, the champions of the Lewes League and cup holders PBS Marquis – so no-one can say they haven’t won this cup the hard way.

The Old Barn went at Dor’ve for the first 15 minutes and should have scored when Dewey had an open goal - but a bobble threw him.

After that, Dor’ve played good football and went ahead through Aaron MacMillan when his close-range shot crept in.

Dor’ve possession was not capitalised on and it stayed 1-0 at half time.

After a strong talking-to at half-time The Old Barn came out fighting hard and sub Dan Evans rifled a belter past Matty Grimstone in goal. Evans was probably Barn’s best player on the day.

Five minutes from time, the Barn went down to ten men with a second yellow for Danny Jones, one of the rocks at the centre of the defence.

Then a Barn throw-in deep in the Dor’ve half was sliced into his own net by skipper Aaron Hasan, which led to a pitch invasion and some amazing celebrations.

Mark Livermore, already booked, celebrated without his shirt and was sent off, leaving nine men for the five minutes added on.

Dor’ve hit the bar and had a shot cleared off the line but Barn held on and celebrated their success accordingly.

The Old Barn are the first team in West Sussex to win the competition, which started in 1969.

Now it’s a case of bring on next season, when The Old Barn hope locals will come and support them at the Felpham Community College pitch.

THE OLD BARN: Ashley Pugh, Danny Jones, Jonas Templeman, Mark Livermore, Danny Miller, Danny Towers, Scott Towers, Jonny Miller, Tom Stairs, Kev Dewey, Michael ‘Scholesy’ Woolston. Subs: John Winwood, Alex Jasper, Dan Jenner, Danny Evans, Carl Turney.