RUSTINGTON ARE ON FOR A CUP TREBLE!

Rustington deservedly triumphed in this fiercely contested final, although not without some anxious second-half moments. Early and late goals earned them their second cup success of the season, and manager Gareth Davies is understandably upbeat about his team's chances of making it a treble next week.

Around 250 noisily partisan spectators paid more than 800 to witness the proceedings '” record receipts for this competition.

Rustington seized a quick advantage which they never lost. Skipper Terry Withers tucked away a 13th minute penalty kick awarded when Craig Cox was wrestled to the ground. Newhaven spent the rest of the game trying to persuade the referee to even up matters. Several times players fell like logs, and came up pleading for retribution, but to no avail.

Cox and James Highton were a constant threat up front, pulling Newhaven's defence this way and that, and the interval lead was a fair reflection on the half.

But after the interval New-haven encamped in their opponents' half for a long period. The goal was a castle under siege, but for all the pressure Rustington's wall rarely looked like being breached.

Every man defended heroically. Russ Tomlinson was a power in the air and Richie Hellen, with his low centre of gravity, was always in the thick of the action.

Withers, too, led by example. In a frantic match he was one of the few players who appeared to have time to look up and use the ball intelligently. Keeper Matt Grieves was faultless in his handling.

The referee succeeded in keeping all the players on the field, though some severely tried his patience. Towards the end, Rustington regained the initiative and substitute Mike Hatch ran through to provide Highton with an easy tap-in. He deserved to get on the scoresheet, having just missed with two rasping shots in the first half.

All that remained was for the cup and medals to be handed out, and for a very happy band of players and supporters to re-cross the river.

Davies said: "We know we have not performed well, but the important thing is the result, the players had to remain alert for 90 minutes. They have done that and thoroughly deserved the victory. They are a great bunch of lads and I just hope we can cap of a fantastic season with one more cup win next Tuesday."

He added: "I feel for Mike Blackall. He has been playing really well and has missed out due to injury. He has already played a major role for us and deserves praise."

RUSTINGTON: Grieves; Duffy, Hellen, Tomlinson, Clayton, Withers; Morten, Rowland, Challen; Cox, Highton. Subs: Smart (Morten 65), Hatch (Cox 70), Zerban (Withers 89), Hooker.

Defender Kevin Clayton became Rustington's first ever hat-trick scorer in the County League on Saturday.

He scored a first-half hat-trick of headers to help give rookies Rustington a comfortable victory against Uckfield but it cost him a broken nose.

Clayton powered home the first on 16 minutes from Ryan Morten's corner.

Craig Cox went close to a second before Clayton headed home from Terry Withers' corner on 21 minutes.

Six minutes before the break, Clayton got his hat-trick. He rose above everyone to nod home another Morten corner but received a broken nose for his trouble.

James Highton made it 4-0 on 78 minutes when he headed home Sean Duffy's cross, before substitute Mike Hatch made it five when he chipped Uckfield's keeper on 83 minutes.

Rustington face Bosham in the Sussex Intermediate Cup on Tuesday. The match is at Arundel with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Davies has a full-strength squad to pick from.

RUSTINGTON: Grieves; Duffy, Clayton, Tomlinson, Hellen, Withers; Rowland, Smart, Morten; Highton, Cox. Subs: Zerban (Tomlinson 50), Wood (Clayton 52), Hatch (Cox 70). Rustington host Lingfield on Saturday (2pm).