Sussex Transport Senior Cup: Goals galore - and Three Bridges hit 10 - as the big boys avoid shocks
And then there were eight… the line-up for the Sussex Transport Senior Cup is confirmed after a busy night of ties. They contained no fewer than 37 goals – but no shocks.
Unusually, all eight third round ties were staged one evening – and there were some intriguing matches in prospect.
Ones to watch in that last right will be Three Bridges, who are top of the Isthmian south east and romped through 10-0 at home to mid-table SCFL premier outfit Wick.
Reece Hallard (2), Bryan Villavicencio, Nabeel Ghannam and Kevin Rivera scored to make it 5-0 by half-time, then in the second half Ben Holden, Rivera again, Hayden Velvick and a Charlie Bennett double made it ten.
Plenty of neutral eyes were on events at Priory Lane where, normally, step two Eastbourne Borough would expect to get through without too many scares against step five Haywards Heath Town.
The Sports have been fragile at home this season – they have yet to win there in the league but have come through through three cup ties – and Kev Green’s Haywards Heath have won 20 games in a row since a couple of early-season cup exits of their own.
As it turned out Borough had too much for Heath – Victor Akinwale scoring twice within a couple of second half minutes to put the Sports in command then adding another as it finished 3-0.
Borough were one of three National South teams out to avoid an upset against SCFL premier opponents.
Horsham – winners of the trophy for each of the past two seasons – were at home to Crawley Down Gatwick and got the job done comfortably, going 3-0 up within half an hour through Shamir Fenelon (2) and Greg Luer. Lucas Rodrigues (2), Freddie Hammond with his first Hornets goal and James Roberts netted in the second half for a 7-1 win – James Laws getting one back for CDG.
Worthing, winners in 2023, visited Newhaven and Razz Coleman De Graft gave them a 1-0 interval lead before Nathan Odokonyero and Joe Coom made sure of victory in the second half. Josh Jeffries saved a Newhaven penalty.
Four of the other five ties also pitted sides from two different levels against one another.
Brighton and Hove Albion U21s, who won the trophy in 2022, are always one of the favourites for the cup but they faced a tricky trip to Eastbourne Town, who have notched some notable results in the Isthmian south east division this season.
A single Albion goal on the half-hour mark was enough to put them through to the last eight.
It was step four v five at Oaklands Park, temporary home of Bognor, with the 2019 winners at home to SCFL premier side Roffey. Callum Laycock, Brandon Dhebby and Preston Woolston were the scorers as the Rocks went safely through 3-0.
And it was step five v six as Horsham YM – fresh from putting 10 past Shoreham on Saturday – entertain the lowest-ranked team left in, SCFL Division 1’s East Preston.
Ousmane Dansoko (2) and Leon Fisher gave YM an early 3-0 interval lead
The only third round tie between two sides from the same step of the pyramid was at Broadbridge Heath, who hosted their Isthmian south east rivals Hastings and it went with the formbook as Chris Simmons’ Bears continued their recent fine form.
Callum Dowdell and Zac Young made it 2-0 before Hastings got one back through Walter Figueria before the break, but Jake Lawrence got two in the second half and Dowdell another to make it 5-1.
STSC third round results
Bognor Regis Town 3 Roffey 0
Broadbridge Heath 5 Hastings United 1
Eastbourne Borough 3 Haywards Heath Town 0
Eastbourne Town 0 Brighton & Hove Albion U21s 1
Horsham 7 Crawley Down Gatwick 1
Horsham YMCA 3 East Preston 0
Newhaven 0 Worthing 3
Three Bridges 10 (ten) Wick 0