Match Reports
25/04/09
Eastbourne 0-2 Men's 2nd XI
Kings of Sussex!
After an impressive league season Brighton 2's have continued on their quest for the historic treble after winning a highly competitive Sussex Cup final match against hosts Eastbourne.
With Eastbourne being unbeaten in 2009 before this final, a status that not even the impressive Brighton side could boast, this was always going to be a tough game for the South Open league champions. The task was made harder due to the location of the finals at Eastbourne home ground that is known within the county as a hard place to come and play hockey.
Eastbourne fielded a team mixed of youth, skill and experience and started the first 15 minutes the much better side. When Brighton finally got used to the pitch chances were created at both ends of the pitch with the teams cancelling each other out. A fantastic first half performance from Ex Brighton junior Tom Rigby kept the attacking style of Brighton's game at bay.
At half time the score was nil - nil but Brighton did not look like they were playing in top gear, this could be said about them since winning the league over a month ago, so a big push was going to be needed to got over this ever increasing hurdle.
The second half saw Brighton with much more of the play around the Eastbourne final third with Kenny Rogers and Ross Hardwick going to work on the right hand side of the pitch.
Brighton's pressure paid off about 15 minutes into the second half when they won their second short corner - and it was the time of the lucky number 7 routine to put them 1-0 ahead.
The rest of the second half was spent with Eastbourne trying to get back into the game but the Excellent Defence of Kenny, Luke, Laurie and Dermot with Psycho behind handled everything Eastbourne could try to attack.
The Brighton Midfield worked as hard as ever helping the defence and creating goal scoring opportunities for the ever dangerous forward line of Dave Delea, Neil Beglin and top goal scorer Ollie Postlethwaite.
The result did not look in danger and with 5 minutes to go Brighton did what has won them many games this season finishing with a late goal to kill off the game. Ross Hardwick drove with the ball into the Eastbourne Right hand side of the D about 5 yards away from the place line where he crossed the ball to the near post for Ollie P to step in front of his marker and the goal keeper to deflect the ball into the near side of the goal.
We now only have to wait 13 days and a trip the Guildford to find out if Brighton can complete their quest for the treble. There is only thing for certain - you don't want to miss this occasion for anything!