Clymping suffer cup final defeat

In what was a fairly evenly-contested match up until Paul Hodder’s red card 20 minutes from time, Hurst made Clymping pay from set-pieces as they ran out eventual winners at Woodside Road to avenge a defeat in last year’s final.

Both sides made a shaky start to the match, but Billingshurst managed to edge in front just five minutes in. Remi Thomas, who was the stand-out performer on the night, whipped a teasing corner into the box and, following a goalmouth scramble, Pete Proto managed to squeeze the ball over the line.

Chances were then few and far between, although Clymping goalkeeper Gary Wimbledon was relieved to see a rasping Thomas drive from distance fly just past his right-hand post on the half hour, but shortly after Hurst doubled their lead, again from a set-piece.

Thomas delivered another excellent corner and Proto’s central defensive partner Ollie Lambkin met it with a powerful header which arrowed into the net, although there were question marks over the defending once more.

However, this seemed to spark Clymping into life, and, but for two magnificent stops from Billingshurst goalkeeper Tom Betts, they may have pulled one back before the break.

First, Wimbledon’s long kick was flicked on by Anthony Dennehey into the path of the arriving Jordan Farrell at the back post, but Betts produced an outstanding save from point-blank range.

Mike Williamson’s men sensed nerves in the Hurst backline but were again denied by Betts, as he tipped a Nathan Parke header just wide.

Clymping came out for the second period with renewed belief that they could get back into the match, and they did just that after 56 minutes with what was a superb goal.

Rob Brown chased down his defender before playing an inch-perfect pass with the outside of his foot into the path of Jordan Farrell, who lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and it just crossed the line before being hooked away.

That seemed to open up proceedings somewhat and just after the hour mark, Billingshurst restored their two-goal lead from another corner. This time it was Marcus Strevens who was the beneficiary of suspect Clymping defending as he glanced the ball home.

There was still time for Hodder to receive his marching orders for a second bookable offence, and then a sublime individual goal from Luke Hickling wrapped up the victory in the dying stages of the match.

Clymping manager Mike Williamson said: “We were caught out at set-pieces and we gave them two goals.

“At the start of the second-half we were on top and there only looked to be one winner but the sending off cost us.

“I thought the referee was very poor and I’m not being bitter but on another day it might have been a different story.”

CLYMPING: Wimbledon, Barnett, Reeves, Barnard, Thompson, A.Brown, R.Brown, Hodder, Farrell, Dennehey, Parke. Subs: Bishop (Barnett 77), Lawson (Thompson 86), James (Dennehey 90), Stonelake, Witton.