Welcome to the action. My name is Will Simpson and I will be with you this evening for instant updates on tonight’s Sussex Transport Senior Cup Final at the Amex, between Horsham and Littlehampton.
Horsham enter the evening looking for back-to-back Sussex Senior Cups, after winning their first last year in over 50 years. The Hornets are also fresh from their climactic 5-1 win over Hashtag United, to earn Horsham the Isthmian Premier title by the slimmest of margins – beating Billericay Town’s goal difference by one.
Littlehampton, who sit 39 places below Horsham in the football pyramid, have not had a season near the calibre of their opponents. The Golds finished their Isthmian South East campaign in 18th, and will need something special to beat the Goliath that is Horsham at the Amex.
Although their league position isn’t glorious, Littlehampton have been known for some rampant cup runs. They reached the semi-final of this very competition last season, and in 2022 reached the FA Vase final at Wembley, falling short to Newport Pagnall Town 3-0. The Golds are here tonight courtesy of an inspired 2-1 win over National South side Eastbourne Borough, so they have fried bigger fish.
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Horsham make a sole change from their title-winning match 12 days ago, as Jake Elliot replaces Isaac Philpot in the backline.
For Littlehampton, two changes are made from their 3-1 win over Burgess Hill Town on the final day of the season. Marshall Ball and Jordan Layton start ahead of Marcel Powell and Scott Kirkwood.
If you’d like to watch along to tonight’s action, (obviously in the background with this blog at the forefront of your screens), Sussex County FA are livestreaming the match on their Twitter / X.
1′: We are underway at the Amex!
3′: Horsham have the ball in the net via Danny Barker from a corner, but it’s ruled out for offside, to the relief and jeer of the Littlehampton fans.
6′: Some tidy link-up play from Horsham sees James Hammond tee up Reece Myles-Meekums for a shot on the edge of the box, but he cannot keep it low enough.
9′: Horsham comfortably on top so far. James Hammond made a surging run into the box, but blocked by Nic D’Arienzo.
10′: The first yellow card is brandished to Thomas Butler after halting a Horsham break.
14′: Horsham come close through Reece Myles-Meekums, whose shot is pushed aside by James Binfield for a corner.
15′: Littlehampton threaten for the first time, as a tasty cross flashes just past Josh Short.
17′: CHANCE! Nic D’Arienzo puts a diving header goalbound, but his effort is blocked and then scrambled clear by Ola Ogunwamide.
19′: Play has been halted, as Lucas Rodrigues goes to ground, followed by James Binfield. Rodrigues is back up, but the Littlehampton goalkeeper is still receiving treatment following an awkward landing.
21′: We’re back underway, but James Binfield has once again hit the deck after hitting a long ball. This doesn’t look pretty for the Littlehampton goalkeeper, and his night at the Amex is likely to end prematurely.
23′: SUB: James Binfield is forced off, as Mac Chisholm replaces him.
25′: CHANCE! Jordan Layton directs a half-volley inside the box at goal, but his effort is valiantly blocked by Luis-Tijan Sparks.
32′: Tension is rising. Marshall Ball clashes with the Horsham bench after attempting to collect the ball quickly after going out for a throw-in. Charlie Hester-Cook then gives Ball a shove back.
35′: A HUGE last-ditch tackle from Thomas Butler to deny Lucas Rodrigues a shot inside the box. Horsham turning up the pressure once again.
36′: BIG CHANCE! Horsham break again with speed, but Harvey Sparks’ squared ball cannot be converted by Charlie Hester-Cook following a massive save by substitute goalkeeper Mac Chisholm.
40′: CHANCE! Dazzling footwork from Lucas Rodrigues to cut inside the box, but a fantastic tackle by Nic D’Arienzo leads to a corner.
43′: Horsham continue to mount pressure on Littlehampton – the half-time whistle can’t come any sooner for the Golds.
45′: We are into two minutes of additional time here.
HALF-TIME: Horsham 0-0 Littlehampton. Nothing to separate the sides yet, despite Horsham’s general dominance. Littlehampton will be grateful not to be behind, but have defended resiliently to keep the match in the balance.
46′: We’re back underway at the Amex! No changes to report.
49′: A slow start so far, with Horsham mostly probing. Both teams feeling each other out, which has been the theme of much of this clash so far.
51′: James Hammond’s corner creates a mix-up in the box, which is bundled away for another corner.
52′: George Gaskin is booked for Littlehampton, for a late tackle that was waived on for advantage a few minutes ago.
55′: CHANCE! Reece Myles-Meekums drives a shot at goal, but it’s tipped over by Mac Chisholm. For a man not expecting minutes from the bench, Chisholm is really playing his part.
56′: POST! From the resultant corner, Lucas Rodrigues heads the second ball onto the post.
57′: Scott Faber is the third Littlehampton player to see a yellow card, after his flailed tackle brings down James Hammond.
60′: Charlie Hester-Cook finds space on the right-flank, whose cross is headed wide by Lucas Rodrigues.
62′: Still goalless at the hour mark, despite Horsham’s chances. 39 league positions separate these sides, so Littlehampton are providing a commendable effort to stay in this final.
63′: SUB: Scott Faber makes way for Scott Kirkwood.
66′: Danny Barker receives Horsham’s first booking, as Scott Kirkwood beats him to the ball.
68′: Luis-Tijan Sparks has gone down with what looks like cramp.
69′ SUB: Ola Ogunwmide, who put in a strong performance, is replaced by Shamir Fenelon.
70′: Littlehampton FC’s Twitter / X account get a little ahead of themselves, tweeting that it is full-time at 0-0. This is, indeed, not the case.
71′: SUB: Littlehampton make their third change, as skipper Jordan Layton makes way for Kyle O’Brien.
75′ BIG CHANCE! Littlehampton with arguably their best chance of the night! Kieron Pamment flashes a delicious ball into the box, which is headed wide of the near-post by George Gaskin.
75′: SUB: Lucas Rodrigues’ night is over, as he is replaced by Chris Dickson.
79′: Mac Chisholm, Littlehampton’s substitute goalkeeper, has gone to ground. Littlehampton will be praying he can resume, or face putting an outfield player in net…
80′: Mac Chisholm is back up, and the Littlehampton fans breathe a collective sigh of relief.
81′: SUB: Jack Brivio enters the fray with ten minutes to play, replacing Charlie Hester-Cool.
82′: Lee Harding enters the referee’s book for a late tackle.
85′: A definite yellow card for a cynical tackle from substitute Kyle O’Brien to deny Horsham a fast break.
88′: SUB: Jake Elliot makes way for Daniel Ajakaiye, who is entrusted to see the game out and possibly take a penalty if it comes to it.
88′: CHANCE! Harvey Sparks’ whipped delivery from the corner is headed wide by Jack Brivio.
89′: Today’s attendance is 3,055 – not bad for a 7:30pm kick-off in the Sussex Senior Cup Final.
90′: Six additional minutes before penalties. Let’s see if there’s a winning goal here – it could go either way!
90+3′: Marhsall Ball sees yellow for what can only be described as a meaty tackle on Jack Brivio following a loose ball.
90+4′: SUB: Matthew Storm comes on for Luis-Tijan Sparks for the remaining minutes of added time. Is Storm a penalty taker in Mitchell Hand’s eyes?
90+5′: GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! JAMES HAMMOND WITH A WORLDIE OF A FREE KICK AND SURELY THE WINNER!!!!!!!!!
90+5′: Hammond’s dream last night has become reality. Stationed with a free kick from 25-yards out, he bends his shot to perfection over the Littlehampton wall and into the top left hand corner. Fairytale stuff for the Hornets captain – and surely now seals Horsham the cup!
FULL-TIME: HORSHAM ARE YOUR SUSSEX SENIOR CUP WINNERS!!! They were made to work for it, but what a way to win the trophy. James Hammond caps off a remarkable campaign for Horsham with a remarkable strike from a free-kick, earning the Hornets a league and cup double! Back-to-back Sussex Senior Cup wins for Horsham.
Littlehampton must be heartbroken to lose so late, but should leave the Amex proud of their performance. They fought to the end, and had chances of their own to win it – for a side in Step Four against a side about to enter Step Two, it was a truly valiant shift.