Cowfold march into the Sussex Intermediate Cup final

Cowfold FC reached their second Sussex Intermediate Cup final in recent years with a nerve-jangling 3-2 win over Holbrook on Saturday.
Cowfold will play either Predators or Hurstpierpoint in the final at Lancing on April 15Cowfold will play either Predators or Hurstpierpoint in the final at Lancing on April 15
Cowfold will play either Predators or Hurstpierpoint in the final at Lancing on April 15

Dan Skett finally settled a close encounter four minutes from time when he poked home through a crowded six-yard box to book Cowfold’s place in the final at Lancing on April 15.

There they will take on either Predators or Hurstpierpoint with the chance to etch their name on the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

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It will be another good occasion for manager Ant Parson’s side, who remain in the hunt to retain the West Sussex Football League Premier Division title they won last year and have applied for acceptance in the Sussex County League from next season.

On another day of high hopes for Cowfold FC it was another day when management and supporters had their emotions put through the wringer.

Both sides found it tough on a heavy pitch and perhaps showed a few nerves with a final place of this prestigious competition up for grabs.

Favourites Cowfold dominated much of the first half and should have had the result wrapped up by the break. The young pairing of Luke Parsons and Dan Skett dominated the early period in the centre midfield area.

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It took until just after the half hour mark for them to achieve the breakthrough when Kyle Mitchell-Harris expertly turned in James Wrigley’s fine free kick.

Holbrook had done little at this stage to suggest they would make a game of it and it came as a bit of a surprise when they were gifted a goal to equalise. A through ball held up a little on the surface causing confusion between ‘keeper and defender and the excellent Chris Spiers nipped in between them to poke the ball home.

The Cowfold response came shortly after the restart when Wrigley created an opportunity for himself, following good work from Chris Bellison, and he smashed the ball to the ‘keeper’s left to make it 2-1.

Cowfold could not extend their lead thanks to some dogged Holbrook defending, and a mix-up at the back from the hosts allowed the visitors to find a shoock equaliser.

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With the scores at 2-2 another draining 30 minutes of extra-time looked inevitable before Skett prodded home a late corner to put Cowfold into the final.

Cowfold FC have thanked the vocal crowd who turned out on the day and hope for the same support down at Lancing for the final.

Fold: Beck, Easton, Mitchell-Harris, Tarrant, Tucker, Dalton, Parsons, Skett, Brabon, Wrigley, Bellison.

Subs used: Smith. Unused: Wassell, Nash, Deane, Passfield.

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