Keeper talks after Cup Final pasting

WORTHING Hockey Club goalkeeper Chris Binns spoke of what it was like to be in the firing line during the Sussex Cup Final.

He faced former South Africa striker Craig Carolan, the full-time Brighton & Hove player-coach, whose lethal finishing in his last match for the club brought him the first five goals and the eighth in the 9-0 scoreline for the South Premier League club over the Kent-Sussex Regional underdogs.

It was tough for Worthing to endure in temperatures on the pitch of probably up to 80 degrees.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Binns, 38, was formerly with Chichester and having just completed his first second season at Worthing. He said: "I have faced some dangerous strikers before but Craig hits the ball so hard, it's unbelievable. Give him space and he'll kill you. Unfortunately we didn't get in front of him.

"He's a class act and Brighton & Hove have certainly got their money's worth out of him. I felt he was the difference between the sides in the first half (4-0 with two late goals]. If you'd have taken him out of the equation it would have been a bit different.

"Brighton squeezed us, closed us down and made us play very deep. I like to be busy but rather too many goals went past me. We got tired towards the end of the second half but it was really hot out there.

"It was good for the town for three of their teams to have got to the finals (Worthing, Penguin, Worthing Vets]. A lot of young players will learn from the experience and we will take steps forwards."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Triumphant Brighton & Hove captain Luke Williams offered beaten Worthing consolatory encouragement after receiving the Sussex Cup.

He said: "Well done. You played well and made it hard for us. Play like that and you will get promotion into our league. Craig's play was awesome today and it was a lovely way for him to end his career with us."