Ifield lift Sussex County League Division 3 Cup

Division 3 leaders Newhaven had begun to assert themselves towards the end of a close first half but they were stunned by goals from Matthew Rendall and Andy Dhiman at the start of the second half.

The Dockers did hit back straight away through Luke Ducchossoy to make it 2-1, but it stayed that was thanks to a gutsy defensive display as Ifield celebrated cup success.

Following Three Bridges’ John O’Hara League Cup win earlier on Good Friday it capped a good day for Crawley’s County League sides.

Mid-table Ifield went into the final some nine places and 29 points behind the current Division 3 leaders.

Yet the first half was closely contested until, in the final minutes Newhaven applied some heavy pressure with Lee Robinson clattering a shot against the underside of the bar.

But it was Ifield who went ahead just a minute after the restart when captain Rendall was allowed a free run at a Dhiman corner and he headed past Dockers keeper Graham Leach.

And 1-0 soon became 2-0 when Ryan Brackpool’s through ball found man of the match Dhiman, who kept his feet under a challenge before dinking a shot into the net.

Newhaven’s response was instant as straight from kick off Robinson cutback for Ducchossoy to blast home.

Dockers top scorer Tyler Goatcher missed two good chances but a determined Ifield were well worth their win and there were wild celebrations for Mark Wright’s men at the final whistle.