Report By Andy Williams
GROUP leaders East Sussex Over-60s took a giant step towards securing qualification for the quarter-finals of this year’s National Over-60s FA Cup with a deserved 3-2 triumph over highly-rated Group C opponents South West London.
At the end of April, without three of their key players, East Sussex were demolished 5-0 by the South West Londoners, so knew they faced a massive challenge at Epsom in the return.
Andy Williams returned to the centre of midfield, but injured skipper Alan Osman remained sidelined along with Dave Bridges and Wayne Partridge.
Osman, ably assistance by Partridge, managed all aspects of the team on the day.
Neither team took control during a cautious opening period but as the half progressed, East Sussex began to dominate.
Paul Elphick and Williams dominated the centre, winning every duel, denying the home side’s playmakers any space and dispossessing them at will.
Although wide midfielders Steve Turner and Kevin Clee were equally effective defensively, it was their fine attacking play that caught the eye.
Colin Riggs was a powerhouse in his role as the target man as he tirelessly alternated between receiving the ball to feet and running in behind, while David Tasker’s closing down and choice and execution of passes, contributed to many attacking moves.
The East Sussex keeper Koosha Movelagh comfortably saved the one attempt on target that South West London managed in the entire first half, and the defensive quartet of skipper Johnny Harris, Bob Smith, David Brookes and John Fraser defended impeccably throughout a first half dominated by the men in orange and doggedly when required of them in the latter stages of the game.
Turner made the breakthrough for East Sussex on the half-hour, cynically brought down by the last defender after his mazy run past three defenders took him into the area.
Although the referee rightly awarded the penalty, inexplicably, he failed to dismiss the defender. Turner made no mistake with an expertly taken spot-kick and East Sussex led 1-0 at half-time.
South West London rallied after half-time, gaining more possession, but it was East Sussex who doubled their lead.
It was Clee who scored on this occasion, making a stunning run from his own half. First, he went right, then he cut across inside, beating three defenders, before rounding the keeper and slotting home. A magnificent solo effort.
Shortly afterwards, South West London replied with a deflected 25-yard drive.
Although the goal motivated the Londoners, it was East Sussex who looked the more likely to score next.
A fine move involving Brookes, Williams and Riggs set Clee free down the right but his magnificent cross was fizzed over by substitute Garry Cooper.
Williams had to leave the field due to a muscle injury with fifteen minutes to go and, shortly afterwards, with East Sussex still trying to reorganise, South West London equalised with an unstoppable top corner strike from 25 yards.
The Londoners were now on top and East Sussex were holding on for a point.
However, the determined East Sussex defence stood firm and two moments followed that would define the outcome of the match.
First, Koosha pulled off a crucial one-on-one save. Then Fraser cleverly released Carter down the left, who cut inside and, with the outside of his right foot, delicately placed the perfect pass in behind the South West London defence for Clee to control before rounding the goalkeeper and coolly slotting home the winner.
