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The Sussex Senior Cup Semi-Final (at Horsham FC)
WORTHING (1) 2 (Francis, Pulling)
THREE BRIDGES (0) 0
Attendance 358
This is the tie all Rebels fans had been waiting for albeit tinged with a touch of sadness that it wasn’t the final itself as former boss Sammy Donnelly squared off against current incumbent Alan Pook. In contrast to other former managers, Sammy remains universally popular at Woodside Road and the presence of WFC legends Damian Webber, Danny Smith and Simon Funnell, and to a lesser extent other former Rebels Andy Alexander and Justin Simmons, made this tie so bittersweet, the half way line proving to be a popular choice for those with divided loyalties.
It was 5 years ago that Sammy brought his Worthing side to a rain-sodden Queen Street and, against all odds; his nine-man Worthing side overcame the highly fancied Crawley Town to earn their place in the final. History was in his favour and despite the obvious fondness for his old club, he fancied it tonight and he fancied the idea of another cup final.
Worthing brought Sean Edwards and Darren Freeman into the side at the expense of the cup-tied Andy Lutwyche and Des Guille and immediately imposed themselves on the game with Nko Ekoku and Sam Francis being particularly effective in the final third. Unusually, for a Donnelly side, Three Bridges played a defensive game and hoped to catch Worthing on the break but with Funnell and Massaro not offering much up front, a breakaway goal did seem unlikely. However, their back line defended admirably with goalkeeper Mansfield outstanding and Damian Webber using his experience to deal with anything thrown at him, his performance right on the dividing line of fair and foul play. It would be hypocritical of me to moan about this of course, having spent the best part of the last five years cheering it when Damian wore the red shirt with such pride. Chris Dicker came closest to opening the scoring as he hit the bar with Mansfield well beaten having brought the ball a long way out of defence. It was on the stroke of half time that Worthing scored the killer goal – Mark Pulling’s corners had been a constant threat all game and this one was delivered to the near post met by Sam Francis’ head for an interval lead.
The second half didn’t halt the Rebels momentum and Mark Pulling doubled the advantage after a goalmouth scramble. His emotional response to the second goal was one of the highlights of the season so far – here is a player who no-one expected to cut it at the higher level but due to hard work, bravery and committed play is looking more and more at home every week. Three Bridges’ robust style was irking the Rebels and the game became a niggly affair. After heavy challenges on Mark Knee and Sam Francis, Shaun Grice took matters into his own hands by fairly winning a 50/50 ball, his momentum injuring a Bridges player in the process. Freeman picked up another needless booking when taking a free kick and the reaction from the bench when substituted suggested he wasn’t the most popular of players for doing so. As the game petered out there was enough time for the ghost of Woodside past to pay us a visit as Danny Smith made a thunderous but fair tackle on Sam Francis that provoked a roar from the disappointingly low crowd and an equally thunderous but awful challenge by Nko Ekoku which forced a Three Bridges midfielder off with a badly injured ankle. Ekoku was immediately substituted and can perhaps be relieved that it wasn’t a red card, but he showed his appreciation to the loud travelling Rebels supporters as he went off. In his journeyman career, perhaps this is the first time he has been truly appreciated by a big crowd?
When the final whistle went, it was a bit of an anti-climax, as celebrating a final appearance was great but accompanied with a touch of sadness as to whose dreams we had to shatter in order to do it. As our former leader waved to his unwaveringly loyal former subjects you can bet there was a tear in the eye and fond memories of that rainy evening in 1999.
TEAM – Will Packham 7, Sean Edwards 6, Mark Knee 7, Chris Dicker 7, Clay Lamont 7, Mark Pulling 9, Shaun Grice 6, Paul Rogers 7, Sam Francis 8 (sub Daryl Plummer 6), Darren Freeman 7 (sub Andrew Beech 6), Nko Ekoku 7 (sub Gavin Jones 6) SUBS NOT USED Roy Pook, Damian Dobbyn
MY MAN OF THE MATCH – Mark
Pulling, often the unsung hero but today he stood out with his willingness
to chase and his excellence from set pieces.
7th Feb 2004