Wick reach Sussex RUR Cup semi-finals

It gives Wick boss Gary Block his first semi-final match in the seven seasons he has been managing in the county, although he admitted his side rode their luck a little in the first half to get there.

He said: “Probably, in all fairness, we could have been three up at half-time, although they did have one decent goal disallowed, so we could easily have been one behind.

“Julian Boniface let the ball bounce and then our centre-half George Watson was bustled off the ball by their striker, who put it in past the keeper as he came out. But the ref blew for a foul on the keeper, which was a bit harsh on them.”

In the first half, Wick had a number of chances to go ahead. They hit the post, and were denied by a fine save, while Andy Brown failed to convert a sitter, with his head, from Ruben French’s cross.

Hunter had also looked dangerous whipping balls across the box, which Wick failed to get on the end of.

After the break, Wick were second best until Hunter crashed home the winner on 65 minutes.

Dean Maynard flicked on the ball and Hunter fired into the bottom corner. After the goal, Wick looked the more likely to extend the lead and comfortably saw the game out, with goalkeeper Greg Forster, who was playing his first match since breaking a finger in October, keeping a clean sheet on his return.

Block said: “I have never been in a semi-final since I have been managing in Sussex, and that’s seven seasons. I have been before, in Surrey, but not down here, so I am pleased. The boys love cup finals so they’re all happy about the semi, although it’s tough now as if you’re going to get knocked out, it’s always better in the quarters than the semis.”

In the next round, Wick face County League Division 2 promotion-chasers AFC Uckfield, and Block said: “It’ll be tough, they have had some good results in the competition and already knocked out a couple of Division 1 sides.”

WICK: Forster; Urqhart, Boniface, Hotson, French; A.Brown, Towers, Baggura, Hunter; Ro.Brown, Maynard. Subs: Dormer (Ro.Brown 70), Ri.Brown, Wilkins (Hunter, A.Brown 75).