Simpemba: Winning at the Amex is great for the fans

Eastbourne Borough captain Ian Simpemba reckoned winning a cup final at Brighton's Amex Stadium is a great thank you to the club's fans.
Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614205 SUS-160520-235123001Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614205 SUS-160520-235123001
Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards SR1614205 SUS-160520-235123001

The former Ireland U19s international knows the winning feeling well, having previously lifted the trophy in 2005 as Crawley Town captain.

He said: “The arena is great for the punters because they follow us all around the country and it’s a great for them.

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“But for us it’s all about the silverware, it’s the cup, it’s the medal you get at the end of it and I’m delighted!”

Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614211 SUS-160520-220235001Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614211 SUS-160520-220235001
Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards SR1614211 SUS-160520-220235001

He praised their opponents for putting their defence under pressure.

Worthing are a very good side. They came out and started well and that’s their gameplan.”

Simpemba, 33, praised Eastbourne’s player of the season Nathaniel Pinney for his match-winning display.

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He said: “Pinney looks like a very lethargic lad but once the ball’s in the area he’s sharp and his football brain is excellent, especially for this level and he’s deceptively quick as well.

Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614158 SUS-160520-235011001Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards  SR1614158 SUS-160520-235011001
Sussex Senior Cup Final - Worthing v Eastbourne Borough. Pic Steve Robards SR1614158 SUS-160520-235011001

“That’s the difference, once Pinns gets a chance, more often than not, he scores.

“His quality is well above this level. A big pitch like that where he’s got a bit of room to manoevre and work in and he’s very dangerous.”

The Sports skipper believed winning the Parafix Sussex Senior Cup was the perfect way to round-off the season.

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Simpemba revealed: “We were absolutely flying until the bank holiday weekend, were on the verge of the play-offs but then lost our consistency and slipped into midtable mediocrity.

“This was always in the back of our minds: a big game, great stadium, a great competition to win.

“I’ve played with lads who have played 600-700 league games at all sorts of levels and they have had great careers but never actually won anything.

“This was important, very important, so it was a lovely way to round off the season.

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“No matter what level you play at, winning something is what it is all about. It’s why you do it!”

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