Cup heartbreak for Golds

Action from the Littlehampton v Seaford cup final

Second-half goals from Ben Dartnell and substitute Ollie Davies saw Seaford lift the trophy at Peacehaven in front of a crowd of 300.

Seaford fans were rewarded for braving the cold when Dartnell turned home after Drew Greenall headed down a long free kick which had been pumped forwards on 78 minutes.

And, as Golds tried to find an equaliser late on, they were caught at the back and Andy McCarthy could only push Greenall’s shot into the path of Davies, who tapped home in injury-time to seal it.

Unfortunately, Division 2 leaders Golds never really got going and can have little complaints about the result as Seaford deserved their victory.

Littlehampton assistant manager Richie Hellen said: “We got what we deserved today. Too many people did not turn up and Seaford thoroughly deserved it.

“I’d like to think a few of the players will have a look at themselves and come back stronger. We’ve got to look at ourselves as that wasn’t good enough and hopefully it will spur us on in the league.

“It was really disappointing today, especially after last year (losing 5-1 to East Preston in the final) I thought we’d learnt our lesson.”

The game started at a fast pace with Seaford’s Harry Mills glancing a header just wide and Greenal firing over when well placed. At the other end, Jason Jarvis went through but Sheldon Levett raced out to clear the danger.

As the game settled, chances were at a premium, although Littlehampton’s Danny Hand sent a curling effort just wide of the far post after good work on the left.

Golds’ best chance of the game came on 52 minutes as substitute Alex Kew flicked on for George Gaskin, but the striker’s effort came out off the base of the post and into the grateful arms of Levett.

That just about summed up Littlehampton’s day while Seaford continued to ask questions and got their rewards.

LITTLEHAMPTON: McCarthy; Wiggans, Bates, McCarthy, M.Hand; Gaskin, O’Callaghan, Thompson, Raynor, D.Hand; Jarvis. Subs: Peters, D.Gaskin (Bates 80), Kew (Jarvis 45), Peacock (D.Hand 57), Askew.

Full report and pictures in next Thursday’s Littlehampton Gazette.