Under-18 football: Sussex cup success aided by Chichester and Pagham lads

Chichester City had Corey Heath, Jonathan Tallent, Harry Perry and Alex Ansa-McIntyre in the squad while Pagham had James Binfield, Ryan Davidson and Harry Williams.

All of them played a massive part in an eight-goal thriller.

Sussex were the more dominant side in the first half but were unable to break the deadlock.

However, early in the second half Sussex finally went ahead through a goal by debutant Perry.

Despite remaining the dominant team and having numerous attempts on goal, Sussex were pinned back level but went 3-1 down within a ten-minute spell to the disbelief of the travelling players and supporters.

It could have been even worse but for a fantastic penalty save from Pagham’s James Binfield which prevented Sussex from going 4-1 down - however that save proved the turning point.

With just over ten minutes remaining Ansa-McIntyre replaced the tiring Perry and the introduction of fresh legs up front changed the game.

Fellow City player Tallent scored to make it 3-2 and Sussex pinned back Somerset - and right at the death Ansa pulled Sussex level to the joy of the whole team and travelling fans and officials.

Extra time saw Sussex score another two goals from supersub Ansa. What a debut and impact from the Chichester player: a hat-trick in his first game for Sussex after coming on as a late substitute.

Sussex go through to round three of the FA County Youth Cup with a possible home tie at Lancing against the Liverpool FA looming for a place in the quarter-finals.

UNDER-13

Chichester City Youth 2 Worthing 5

Chichester struggled to get going and were put under pressure from the start.

The strong breeze and poor conditions meant Chichester were unable to settle and have any control.

Chichester were slow to defend and poor passing and lack of control in midfield gave Worthing space to control the game. Chichester went a goal behind after ten minutes.

Alex Smith struck back five minutes later with a well-taken goal, but Worthing scored twice before half-time to make it 3-1.

Chichester started the second half brightly and Smith scored again - and for the next ten minutes, Chichester had a good spell.

But two missed chances seemed to knock the confidence out of them and when Worthing scored again to make it 4-2 that made any comeback doubtful.

Chichester made a number of changes but Worthing made it 5-2 and the game ended with Chichester’s first defeat in the league this season.

George Conway was Chi’s man of the match.

CHICHESTER: Knight, Conway, Chuter, Lidster, Hall, Stonefrost, Smith, Hubbard, Huband, Thorpe, Burden, Clarke.

UNDER-12

Whyke United 1 Barnham Trojans 2

Barnham deservedly won this competitive encounter.

They settled the better of the teams in the first half and despite going behind to an early Whyke goal, they kept pressing forward.

Whyke always looked dangerous on the break with their counter-attacking style but Barnham converted one of their chances through the lively Davidson just before half-time.

Barnham’s midfield continued to dominate in the second half with fine displays by Cook, Kennett, Johnson and Ursell.

A flowing move finished off by a fine shot from Ursell brought the best out of the Whyke keeper, who somehow leapt across his goal and produce a tremendous fingertip save.

Barnham almost paid for not converting their chances when a defender lost his footing on the uneven surface, leaving a Whyke striker through on goal. But goalkeper Howley’s great positioning forced the Whyke striker to skew his shot wide.

This seemed to spur on Barnham and the winning goal was created by fine play from Davidson, crossing from the byline for Wright to turn in at the near post for the deserved winner.

Barnham’s defence of Higgins-Pearce, Litterick, Hassell and Perry were resolute.

Man of the match was Kennett, who caused the defence problems throughout.

BARNHAM: Howley, Hassell, Perry, Litterick, Higgins-Pearce, Kennett, Johnson, Cook, Ursell, Davidson, Wright, Shergold.

Albion in the Community have a new Saturday morning club - free for children who attend school Year 1 to Year 6 - at Woodhorn Farm, Oving, every Saturday in term-time from 9.30am until 10.30am.

Albion are working with The Woodhorn Group to provide this opportunity for local children and increase participation in the area.

All coaches are FA-qualified, CRB-checked and first-aid qualified and have years of experience coaching children of all abilities. For more information email [email protected] or phone 01243 816908.