Golds book spot in cup final

Goals in each half from the impressive Jason Jarvis and substitute Nathan Peacock - with his first touch after coming on - sealed Golds’ spot in the final for the second successive season.

They will take on Seaford, who triumphed on penalties over Steyning on Tuesday evening, in the final on the traditional Good Friday cup day next week at Peacehaven, looking to avenge last year’s 5-1 defeat against East Preston.

Golds were worthy winners in a competitive match played at Worthing United’s Lyons Farm ground, which saw their opponents barely trouble Andy McCarthy, in goal with regular stopper Jon Hendrick unavailable.

The first chance fell to The Magpies as the lively Shaun Findlay’s cross found Joe Holvey on the edge of the box, but he blazed over.

At the other end, George Gaskin, who took up a wide role, cut in and lofted a shot from range, which was held by Loxwood stopper Sam Smith.

Golds were breaking quickly with the ball and moving it well as Loxwood gave them little time to play, while The Magpies used winger Findlay as their outlet, although he struggled to find a way past Shay Wiggans.

Littlehampton took the lead on 21 minutes as a low ball into the box caught out the Loxwood back four, who were flat-footed, and Jarvis latched onto the pass and poked past Smith.

A minute later and Smith was on his toes to tip over Billy Rayner’s effort from range to deny Littlehampton a quick-fire double.

Five minutes from the break, a misplaced header from Josh Bates went straight to Paul White and he threaded through Elliott Hawkes, only for Ross McKay - who lead the back four superbly all night - to put in a crucial block tackle.

Golds’ back four were magnificent all night and this continued into the second half as they snuffed out any attack Loxwood threw at them.

After the break, Littlehampton had two golden chances to extend their lead. The first saw Alex Kew draw a tackle from Eddie French and turn the former Horsham defender before slotting in Michael Hendrick, who fired across the goal from a narrow angle.

Moments later and Mitchell Hand’s cross picked out a well-placed Jarvis, but he nodded over.

Jarvis was having a good old fashioned battle with Loxwood centre-backs French and Harry Bowles, before he was withdrawn after the hour mark as Golds brought on David O’Callaghan and Danny Hand.

Loxwood’s best chance of the night came on 78 minutes in what proved a pivotal moment. French drove forward, rode a couple of tackles and back-heeled to Hawkes, but the forward put his effort wide when one-on-one with McCarthy.

The trailing side then withdrew left-back Phil Awcock and threw on another striker for the final minutes, which gave Littlehampton the extra space they needed as they dominated the closing stages.

Within a minute of coming on, Peacock made sure of their place in the final four minutes from time as he nodded home a corner, and, despite an effort to clear it on the line, referee Duncan Brooker signalled it had crossed, sparking wild celebrations from the Littlehampton players.

Golds assistant manager Richie Hellen said: “I thought it was a really good performance and I thought we controlled the game. I don’t think our keeper had a shot to save.

“The back four were superb, as were the midfield, everyone really, and I thought it was a fair result.

“I thought we did really well and the subs all did well when they came on as well.”

On the final against Seaford, he added: “It should be a good game and we’ll give them a good game.

“It’s our first objective completed with one of two semi-finals, but our real and main aim at the start of the season was to win the league.”

LITTLEHAMPTON: McCarthy; Wiggans, McKay, Bates, M.Hand; Gaskin, Rayner, Kew, Thompson, M.Hendrick; Jarvis. Subs: O’Callaghan (Kew 68), D.Hand (Jarvis 70), Peacock (Rayner 85), Manning, Askew.