HAILSHAM-based Welcroft Park Rangers of the Mid Sussex League won the Eastbourne FA Vice President’s Cup on Thursday 4th May after a pulsating local derby cup final against East Sussex League Herstmonceux.
Both sides had seen fine seasons in the league – Welcroft having won the Mid Sussex Fourth Division South at a canter, whilst Herstmonceux top East Sussex Division Three with one game remaining, setting the stage for an exciting match which certainly did not disappoint.
The game started at a high tempo and hardly dropped off all evening, with Rangers coming close to drawing first blood with a Jamie Bundy effort on 7 that was straight at Tim Saunders in the ‘Ceux goal, before what appeared a strong penalty shout for Herstmonceux was waved away.
With action end to end, ‘Ceux then came within a whisker of leading on 12 – a fine reverse pass leading to a powerful drive that crashed against the underside of the crossbar before being claimed by a grateful Connor Page. It didn’t seem long before the large crowd would get a goal, and on 15, Rangers took the lead – a very well worked move from a throw finding Billy Coles, who hit a powerful strike into the corner from just outside the box. Strike partner Bundy then hit the woodwork on 20 with a thunderous drive, but on 21, it was Herstmonceux who were celebrating – breaking quickly, with Jake Brown beating Page to a loose ball to force the equaliser.
With both sides challenging for every ball, it was Welcroft who then regained the lead on 37, when a fumble in the area led to a golden opportunity for Kirk Ferguson to prod home from close range. As Welcroft looked to stretch their advantage before the break, a through ball looked to have released Bundy, with many somewhat surprised that a ‘Ceux handball was only punished with a yellow card.
With a narrow lead for Rangers at half time, both sides continued to impress in the second period, despite team changes, with Herstmonceux certainly doing well to blunt the prolific Welcroft front three, and causing problems of their own as well. With around 20 minutes to go, ‘Ceux levelled, with a fine through ball finding Liam Johnson, who struck a superb first time effort beyond Page from around 25 yards out.
After the disappointment of being twice pegged back, Welcroft regained their composure, and on 79, forced what would prove to be the winner with Jordon Cull applying the finish at the far post following a cross. Herstmonceux had chances late on – Jake Barker unable to get a shot away when well placed, whilst Rory Collins would also see an effort held. Rangers thought they had grabbed a late fourth, with a shot hooked off the line after hitting the post, before the final whistle blew to signal wild celebrations.
Welcroft Park Rangers; Page, Smith, Stevens, Stevens-Grant, Gillett, Offord, Bundy, Ferguson, Coles, Delgado, Molyneux
Subs; Coleman, Knowles, Cull, Rembridge, Fox
Herstmonceux; Saunders, Fermin, Hartney, Wood, Seavers, Gregory, Collins, Ellis, Brown, Eyers, Shearing
Subs; Barker, Sitwell, Arnott, Johnson, Jones
Referee; M Milligan (Polegate)
