Littlehampton Town and Horsham claim Sussex Senior Cup semi spots

The Marigolds are in the semi-finals for the second year running – a great effort for a step four side – thanks to a 2-1 home quarter-final win over their Isthmian south east division rivals Lancing.

Harry Heath gave the Lancers the lead at a chilly Sportsfield before Scott Kirkwood equalised. Player/joint manager George Gaskin’s finish in the 58th minute proved the winner.

The Golds join Eastbourne Borough and Horsham in the semi-finals one game from the showpiece Amex final – with the Hornets in the hat courtesy of a penalty shootout win at Woodside Road following a 1-1 draw.

Chris Agutter’s side were looking for their second cup win in four days after their FA Trophy triumph of Saturday, and took the lead through Joel Colbran on 19 minutes.

But Lucas Rodrigues levelled in the second half and after both sides failed to find a winner, Horsham won 5-3 on spot kicks.

Agutter said the Rebels’ performance was ‘ the uglier version of Jekyll and Hyde’. He said the three or four changes made to the starting line-up, largely because of injuries, should not have led to the big drop-off in standards compared to the win over Torquay.

Also played on Tuesday night was the remaining last-16 tie – in which Brighton U21s beat Burgess Hill Town 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Culver Road, a fine effort by Jay Lovett and Gary Mansell’s team against the Amex youngsters.

Brighton now host Whitehawk in the last quarter-final.

Semi-final line-up: Eastbourne Borough, Littlehampton, Horsham, Brighton or Whitehawk.