Five red cards in remarkable final

The village club came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after extra-time in an all-Macron East Sussex Football League Premier Division final against Ore Athletic on Saturday.

The result only told half the story, though, as the game will be remembered for a first half of six cautions and then an explosion of red cards for Athletic, all of them in extra-time.

Tom Youngman was sent-off for swearing at referee Barry Myers, Dan Coglan and Matt Sellick collected two yellow cards each, Nathan Court saw red for swearing at the referee having already been substituted, and then official Matthew Cornelius was ordered from the dugout for swearing at both the referee and fourth official Paul Wenham, plus refusing to give his name.

Athletic opened the scoring when a free kick was flicked on for Grant Cornelius to beat Shane Ridgers and the same player doubled his team’s advantage with a penalty.

Ridgers then pulled off a great save to keep Iden in it and Alfie Weller made it 2-1 on the stroke of half time by heading home after Frank Walker helped on Sam Cooper’s free kick.

Iden carved out a number of chances during the second half and Rob Levett eventually headed them level from another Cooper free kick.

Extra-time was needed to separate the sides and Iden grabbed the winner in the first additional period. Weller chested down a fantastic ball from Neil Winton and lifted his finish over the goalkeeper.

Iden have the chance to complete a cup double when they take on St Leonards Social in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup final this evening (Tuesday). Kick-off at Robertsbridge Recreation Ground is 6.30pm.

Also tonight, Little Common will face Mile Oak in the Macron Store Sussex County Football League Reserve Section Challenge Cup final at Eastbourne United AFC. Kick-off is 7.30pm.