Sussex Senior Cup woe for Arundel and EP

BOTH Arundel and East Preston football clubs exited the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday evening to higher-division opposition.

Mullets went down 8-1 at Conference South Eastbourne Borough, while EP lost 4-3 at County League Division 1 side Three Bridges.

EP boss Dominic Di Paola took positives from his side’s second-round defeat and was pleased with his side’s performance against division-higher Bridges, as they were sunk only by two late goals.

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He said: “We were a bit unfortunate to lose really, as from 2-0 down at half-time, we led 3-2 and played them off the park.

“We let in cheap, naïve goals, but it was all us playing the football, they are a big physical side and one of the most horrible I have come across. Joe Shelley got a broken nose and Barney Boutwood a big bruise.

“It was an eye-opener to the sorts of teams we’ll be playing if we do manage to go up this year. We made some naïve mistakes but, in terms of football, we were light years ahead.

“I am not disappointed at all, as I said to the guys, there was only one side playing football and we were quality.”

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After EP conceded possession twice when attacking in the first half, Three Bridges were two ahead at half-time.

Lee Carney, who was sent-off late on for a second booking, hit the first on 28 minutes and Elliot Romain the second nine minutes later.

EP then had a fine 15-minute spell at the start of the second half to go ahead. Substitute George Gaskin hit the first after a move down the left, Charlie Oatway rounded the goalkeeper for the second, before a fine eight-player move saw Oatway finish well to put them ahead with a diving header.

But Three Bridges came back and Abubacarr Touray levelled after a poor clearance on 83 minutes, before Matt Axell got turned on the wing and a ball in allowed Callum Donaghey to hit the winner with three minutes left.

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Arundel were 3-0 down after just 14 minutes at Borough but that remained the score until half-time.

Borough moved 5-0 ahead in the second half, before Mullets pulled a goal back when Josh Biggs and Howard Neighbour combined in midfield and Biggs put top-scorer Scott Tipper through and he held off a defender before firing home his 19th goal of the season.

Borough’s extra fitness then told in the last 10 minutes when they added a further three goals.

Mullets chairman and stand-in manager Bob Marchant said: “Their three early goals put us on the back foot but for the last part of the first half and the first part of the second half, we did all right.

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“Their extra fitness then came into it near the end and they scored three late on.

“Everyone played well in the circumstances, though. The difference in class was huge all over the park. They were very strong and very quick but everyone enjoyed themselves.”

EAST PRESTON: Bryant; Gibbs, S.Di Paola, O’Hagan, Barnard; Oatway, Clark, Shelley, Axell; Garnham, Boutwood. Subs: Gaskin (Garnham 55), Stokes, Duncan (S.Di Paola, Barnard 87).

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; Peake, Hunter, L.Walker, Hall; J.Biggs, Grove, Neighbour, Norgate; Tipper, Turney. Subs: Hardwell (Turney 70), Burton (Neighbour 75), Jenkins (Tipper 80).

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