Sussex non-league round-up: Bognor beat Brighton to reach Sussex final, Shoreham are champions, Hastings dream is over

In the first of this year’s Senior Cup semis at Culver Road, Bognor and Brighton’s U21s could not be separated over 90 absorbing minutes.

Remiero Moulton put the young Seagulls ahead on 27 minutes but Sam De St Croix levelled for Robbie Blake’s Isthmian League premier side 11 minutes later.

It went to spot-kicks and Bognor scored all five of theirs with Brighton missing one – Josh McCormick keeping his cool to convert the winning kick.

Rocks keeper Rowley saved the first penalty by Matt Everitt, diving to his left to push it away. Nathan Odokonyero made no mistake slotting the ball in low sending Toby Bull the wrong way.

Then Cameron Peupion stepped up next to slot it into the net with Rowley going the wrong way. Dan Gifford hit his with venom high into the net in response – 2-1 Rocks.

Sam Packham hit the next one beyond Rowley who dived the right way. Craig Robson slotted the next penalty coolly into the net, piling the pressure on Brighton.

Ben Wilson fired the next one along the deck and in for the Seagulls. Calvin Davies stepped up next for Bognor and again sent it along the floor and into the net. Samy Couchane was next and he hit his straight down the middle and in – 4-4. It was all down to Bognor's final penalty kick taker and McCormick belted his high into the net to send Rocks into the final to the delight of his teammates, the Rocks bench and their fans.

It is a huge lift for the Rocks after an up-and-down season in the league and they will face Worthing or Hasrings at the Amex next month to try to win the cup they last lifted four years ago.

In the National League South, Worthing strengthened their case for a play-off spot, moving up to sixth place with a 1-0 win at Farnborough courtesy of another Ollie Pearce goal, this one coming as early as the fourth minute.

Hastings United’s hopes of an Isthmian premier play-off are over after they drew 2-2 at home to Billericay. Joe Gbode made it 1-1 and, deep into time added on, David Smith got United’s second equaliser but it was not enough to keep them in the hunt – and with Horsham already out of the running for a top five finish, Lewes are the only Sussex side who can make those step three play-offs with one game to go.

In the Isthmian south east it’s all to play for on Saturday among the sides in danger of ending in the relegation play-offs – who will face a one-off make-or-break game against an SCFL or SECFL runner-up.

Haywards Heath and VCD occupy those two spots at present but a 2-1 defeat for VCD at Cray Valley and a poor 4-0 defeat for Burgess Hill at Sittingbourne mean any two of those three sides could finish in the play-off places.

Lancing would be in danger if VCD and Burgess Hill were both to win their final games, but a point for the Lancers on Saturday should see them safe and their goal difference is eight better than VCD’s in any case. Haywards Heath go to Hythe on Saturday, Burgess Hill host Beckenham and Lancing are at home to Sittingbourne.

Also in the Isthmian south east Chichester City earned a second home win in four days by beating East Grinstead 2-0 with goals from Joe Clarke and Lloyd Rowlatt. Littlehampton lost 1-0 at home to a late Sevenoaks goal on a night when a local referee had to rush to the ground from home to answer an SOS when the match official was injured.

In the SCFL premier, Crawley Down Gatwick won 4-1 at Midhurst to move level on points at the top with Broadbridge Heath, but Heath have two games left, the Anvils only one.

In SCFL division one, Shoreham are champions thanks to a 3-2 win at home to Mile Oak and will be in the premier division next season. Meanwhile Wick won 2-0 at Chessington to clinch a play-off place.

MORE SUSSEX SPORT...

Tributes paid after death of Sussex FA chairman.

Rocks Women win Sussex Challenge Trophy.

Broadbridge Heath title bid suffers setback.

Sussexworld head of sport wins national award.