Hello, I’m James Butler covering the Sussex Transport Senior Cup final between Horsham and Hastings here at Brighton’s Amex Stadium. Hastings defeated Littlehampton 3-0 in the semi-final to seal their place in the final for the first time in 24 years as they hope to claim a fifth cup. Horsham came from behind to defeat Steyning Town 4-1 who had a giant-killing run as The Hornets reached the final after an 18-year wait, Dom Di Paola will be hoping he can end 48 year’s wait to lift the trophy they have done so seven times especially after their playoff penalty lose to Chatham Town.
Horsham have defeated Hastings on both occasions in the league this season so they’ll be hoping they can replicate that form today.
1 min We are underway here at the Amex for what should be an exciting game
3 min The first corner of the game is for Hastings but the short corner is unsuccessful
7 min GOAL!!!!! Horsham get the opener through Reece Myles-Meekums who picks up the ball on the left-hand side drives into the box at a tight angle and curls it past Charlie Grainger!
12 min Hastings win the second corner of the game as Sam Adams delivers towards the edge of the box towards Adam Lovatt who balloons his shot over the bar.
14 min Horsham should have doubled their lead! Jordon Mongoy is cheaply dispossessed by James Hammond who lays it off to Fenelon, trying to tee up Daniel Ajakaiye but he oversteps his run.
19 min Another big chance for Horsham as Myles-Meekums cuts a great ball back towards the penalty spot but no one is there to meet it as Hastings regain possession.
26 min Great chance for Horsham as Ajakaiye cuts a perfect ball across the face of goal but Hammond and Myles-Meekums both line up the shot but get in each other’s way as the chance beckons.
33 min GOAL!!!!! A deep cross into the Hastings box is headed back across by Lucas Rodrigues as Shamir Fenelon rises to head home Horsham’s second!
39 min The first yellow card of the game is awarded to Horsham captain Jack Brivio who trips Davide Rodari on the edge of the box in a dangerous position but Adam Lovatt’s free-kick flys over the bar
43 min A precise pass into the Hastings box by Lee Harding is latched onto by Fenelon who turns Sam Gale to get his shot off but fires straight at Grainger.
45 min The fourth official has awarded three minutes of additional time as Horsham looks to go into the break with the cushion of two goals.
HALF-TIME: HORSHAM 2-0 HASTINGS
A half of Horsham’s attacking brilliance, they managed to nullify Hastings from creating anything despite plenty of early possession, being direct and fluid in the final third gives The Hornets a two-goal cushion as they will attempt to seal their eighth Sussex Senior Transport Cup.
46 min Daniel D’Urso blows his whistle as we get back underway here at the Amex for the final 45 of the 23/24 Sussex Transport Senior Cup where Hastings will look to find a way back into the game.
46 min Meekums drives from the left hand side onto his right foot as it opens up for him to thunder an effort goal-bound that smacks against the right post, Horsham agonisingly close to a third!
49 min Harding draws a foul on the edge of the box after Jamal Lubanga pulls him back and receives Hasting’s first yellow card.
55 min Danny Barker receives Horsham’s second yellow card of the game
56 min Amazing football from Horsham as Meekums and Ajakaiye combine in a one-two which sees Meekums take it past Grainger but he just loses his footing before he could shoot.
65 min A dry spell in the game as neither side has managed to create anything in the last 10 minutes but Horsham looks the more threatening as Hastings still lack a cutting edge when they rarely enter the final third.
68 min A third booking for Hastings as Sam Gale is penalised for a professional foul on Philpot.
68 min GOAL!!!!! Daniel Ajakaire gets slotted in by Fenelon as he pulls his shot across goal into the bottom left corner as Horsham score their deserved third.
74 min A late challenge from Rodari means he’s the latest player to go into the book, the Hastings fans will be disappointed their talisman hasn’t been able to get himself into the game.
78 min Ajakaire drives to the byline where he cuts the ball back across the face of goal but JJ Walker clears his lines for a corner.
85 min A great turnout here at the Amex as the attendance is 4869, great support from both sides.
88 min Horsham have managed the game brilliantly since scoring the third, Di Paolo utilises all his subs to maintain the energy levels required to keep the clean sheet and see out a top-class performance.
90 min Adams tees up Tommie Fagg who’s low-driven strikes goes just wide of the post.
90+1 min The fourth official has indicated a minimum of five additional minutes.
90+5 min John Ufuah does well to beat his man and lay off a teasing ball on the edge of the box which Adams blazes over the bar.
FULLTIME! Horsham win their eighth Sussex Transport Senior Cup in comfortable fashion beating Hastings by three goals to nil courtesy of goals from the excellent and dangerous attacking trio of Fenelon, Ajakaiye, and Myles-Meekums. This dominant display by Horsham is rewarded by the trophy lifting the morale after the playoff heartbreak they suffered, as for Hastings and Chris Agutter it’s back to the drawing board for the next campaign.