Sussex Soccer Shorts

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Chicago Titans (Soccer) score the winning goal at Herstmonceux FC today with a cool lob over an advancing Herstmonceux goalkeeper in this post-season friendly. Nicknamed ‘The Eggplantz’ (‘Aubergines’ to us Brits!) after the colour of their shirts, the Titans - who were formed in 1992 - are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a two-game tour of Sussex. And despite being put under intense pressure in the second half, the American side held on to the lead they had built by half-time to win 2-1. (Today’s match programme was sponsored by www.sussexsoccershorts.tk)

Chicago Titans (Soccer) score the winning goal at Herstmonceux FC today with a cool lob over an advancing Herstmonceux goalkeeper in this post-season friendly. Nicknamed ‘The Eggplantz’ (‘Aubergines’ to us Brits!) after the colour of their shirts, the Titans - who were formed in 1992 - are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a two-game tour of Sussex. And despite being put under intense pressure in the second half, the American side held on to the lead they had built by half-time to win 2-1. (Today’s match programme was sponsored by www.sussexsoccershorts.tk)

Action from today’s Sussex Senior Cup Final at the American Express Community Stadium as the SussexSoccerShorts.tk season ends where it started - with a Sussex Senior Cup Final at ‘The Stingray’. But, with both of “last season’s” finalists (Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Eastbourne Borough FC) having been beaten in the semi-finals, it was two Ryman League sides - Crawley Down FC and Whitehawk FC - who’d earned the right to contest the 2011/12 showpiece event. An average first half, after which Crawley Down (in red) led 1-0, was followed by a pulsating second in which both sides had numerous chances to add to the scoring. And in the end it was Whitehawk who were crowned champions, their winner coming in injury time, as the team from East Brighton completed a second-half comeback to win 2-1.

Action from today’s Sussex Senior Cup Final at the American Express Community Stadium as the SussexSoccerShorts.tk season ends where it started - with a Sussex Senior Cup Final at ‘The Stingray’. But, with both of “last season’s” finalists (Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Eastbourne Borough FC) having been beaten in the semi-finals, it was two Ryman League sides - Crawley Down FC and Whitehawk FC - who’d earned the right to contest the 2011/12 showpiece event. An average first half, after which Crawley Down (in red) led 1-0, was followed by a pulsating second in which both sides had numerous chances to add to the scoring. And in the end it was Whitehawk who were crowned champions, their winner coming in injury time, as the team from East Brighton completed a second-half comeback to win 2-1.

Godalming Town FC in Surrey was the unlikely venue for international football this weekend where Sealand and Chagos Islands met in a Nouvelle Federation-Board friendly. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with Sussex football? Well, until recently, the Chagos Islands team played in the now defunct Crawley & District Football League! The Chagos Islands are actually located in the Indian Ocean from where the entire population was removed in the late 1960s/early 1970s to make way for a joint UK/US military base. A number of those evicted from the Islands eventually settled near Crawley in West Sussex with today’s “international” side made up of their children and grandchildren! The match itself was an entertaining affair in front of a small - but extremely enthusiastic - crowd, which Chagos Islands won 3-1.

Godalming Town FC in Surrey was the unlikely venue for international football this weekend where Sealand and Chagos Islands met in a Nouvelle Federation-Board friendly. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with Sussex football? Well, until recently, the Chagos Islands team played in the now defunct Crawley & District Football League! The Chagos Islands are actually located in the Indian Ocean from where the entire population was removed in the late 1960s/early 1970s to make way for a joint UK/US military base. A number of those evicted from the Islands eventually settled near Crawley in West Sussex with today’s “international” side made up of their children and grandchildren! The match itself was an entertaining affair in front of a small - but extremely enthusiastic - crowd, which Chagos Islands won 3-1.

It all came down to the final game of the 2011-12 Sussex County League (Division One) season today, with leaders Three Bridges FC taking on second-placed Rye United FC. A win for Rye would have seen the title travel back to East Sussex, but Three Bridges were not to be denied, winning 1-0 in the driving rain, to secure the league and league cup double.

It all came down to the final game of the 2011-12 Sussex County League (Division One) season today, with leaders Three Bridges FC taking on second-placed Rye United FC. A win for Rye would have seen the title travel back to East Sussex, but Three Bridges were not to be denied, winning 1-0 in the driving rain, to secure the league and league cup double.

Today’s big game in the West Sussex League took place at Billingshurst FC as they entertained top-side, Sidlesham FC. Both sides have applied to join the Sussex County League for next season and so the game took on extra importance as the season end draws ever closer. A 4-2 win for Billingshurst, amidst gale force conditions, leaves them just 6 points behind Sidlesham with 5 games in hand. However, the two sides also meet again in the league on 28th April.

Today’s big game in the West Sussex League took place at Billingshurst FC as they entertained top-side, Sidlesham FC. Both sides have applied to join the Sussex County League for next season and so the game took on extra importance as the season end draws ever closer. A 4-2 win for Billingshurst, amidst gale force conditions, leaves them just 6 points behind Sidlesham with 5 games in hand. However, the two sides also meet again in the league on 28th April.

An alternative view of Sussex County League football as Roffey FC host Pease Pottage Village FC in a Division Three game today (won 1-5 by the visitors). Formed in 1901, it took Roffey 110 years to gain entry to the Sussex County League. However, a tough first season has ended in the club finishing bottom of their division and facing a possible immediate relegation back to the Mid Sussex League.

An alternative view of Sussex County League football as Roffey FC host Pease Pottage Village FC in a Division Three game today (won 1-5 by the visitors). Formed in 1901, it took Roffey 110 years to gain entry to the Sussex County League. However, a tough first season has ended in the club finishing bottom of their division and facing a possible immediate relegation back to the Mid Sussex League.

It was free admission day at Seaford Town FC today as the club took on Oakwood FC in a crucial bottom-of-the-table (Sussex County League, Division Two) clash. A nervous encounter of few chances ended in a 0-0 draw - a result that does little to help either club as they both strive to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

It was free admission day at Seaford Town FC today as the club took on Oakwood FC in a crucial bottom-of-the-table (Sussex County League, Division Two) clash. A nervous encounter of few chances ended in a 0-0 draw - a result that does little to help either club as they both strive to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s FC are the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup champions after defeating Lewes Ladies FC 3-1 in the final at Culver Road, Lancing, this evening. Both Brighton and Lewes have had very good seasons and, in winning silverware themselves in the league, Lewes have won promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League (Southern Division) where, next season, they will meet Brighton in home and away league fixtures. (Photo: Terry Buckman. See more photos from this game)

Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s FC are the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup champions after defeating Lewes Ladies FC 3-1 in the final at Culver Road, Lancing, this evening. Both Brighton and Lewes have had very good seasons and, in winning silverware themselves in the league, Lewes have won promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League (Southern Division) where, next season, they will meet Brighton in home and away league fixtures. (Photo: Terry Buckman. See more photos from this game)

Bottom side, Chichester City FC, clear a Three Bridges FC attack from the line in the Sussex County League (Division One) clash at Oaklands Park, Chichester this afternoon. In a feisty affair, that resulted in several bookings and one red card, the away side came away with all three points after a 1-2 win to maintain the pressure on league leaders, Rye United FC. Three Bridges remain 11 points behind Rye, but have five games in hand.

Bottom side, Chichester City FC, clear a Three Bridges FC attack from the line in the Sussex County League (Division One) clash at Oaklands Park, Chichester this afternoon. In a feisty affair, that resulted in several bookings and one red card, the away side came away with all three points after a 1-2 win to maintain the pressure on league leaders, Rye United FC. Three Bridges remain 11 points behind Rye, but have five games in hand.

A bumper (record attendance) crowd of 110 was present at The War Memorial Recreation Ground in Polegate this afternoon for the Montgomery (Mid Sussex League) Challenge Cup Semi-Final between Polegate Town FC and AFC Ringmer. The visitors took an early lead with Polegate then levelling before the break. The hosts looked more dominant in the second half, however, going on to win 3-1 and book a place in the final at Burgess Hill Town FC on Wednesday 28th March. Here the team takes a few seconds out for a post-match photo before the celebrations got underway. (Photo: Terry Buckman. See more photos from this game)

A bumper (record attendance) crowd of 110 was present at The War Memorial Recreation Ground in Polegate this afternoon for the Montgomery (Mid Sussex League) Challenge Cup Semi-Final between Polegate Town FC and AFC Ringmer. The visitors took an early lead with Polegate then levelling before the break. The hosts looked more dominant in the second half, however, going on to win 3-1 and book a place in the final at Burgess Hill Town FC on Wednesday 28th March. Here the team takes a few seconds out for a post-match photo before the celebrations got underway. (Photo: Terry Buckman. See more photos from this game)