Hello, I’m Aaron McNicholas and I will be taking you through the live coverage of Horsham vs Littlehampton Town in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup final. Tonight’s fixture takes place under the lights of the American Express Stadium, as Horsham look to claim successive wins in the competition.
The Hornets arrive in buoyant mood after winning the Isthmian League Premier Division with a thrilling final day 5-1 demolition of Hashtag United. The victory allows Dominic Di Paola’s side to come into the game with fresh legs, having avoided the relentless scheduling of the play-off process and Horsham shape up as a formidable favourite for the county-based final.
Littlehampton finished 39 places lower than their opponents in the Isthmian league structure but are no strangers to an upset, having stunned Eastbourne Borough of the National League South in the semi-final to set up this fixture. The Golds will arrive aiming to win their first Senior Cup since 1970 when they overcame Worthing 1-0 at the Goldstone Ground.
Jake Elliott comes into the line up for Horsham for Isaac Philpot in the only change for The Hornets from their final day win. Meanwhile, Littlehampton Town bring in Jordan Leyton and Marshall Ball to try and make the difference, with Scott Kirkwood and Marcel Powell making way.
Both sets of fans make their voices heard, creating an atmosphere worthy of the Premier League stadium which acts as the setting for tonight’s encounter.
1′: Referee Jonathon Wilks blows his whistle and we’re underway.
4′: Horsham have the ball in the net thanks to Danny Barker, turned in from a corner but the flag is up for offside.
7′: Reece Myles-Meekums strikes one from distance but the ball rises over the bar.
8′: Hammond gets a shot off inside Littlehampton’s box but it strikes Thomas Butler and goes out for a corner which comes to nothing.
10′ : Yellow Thomas Butler is shown the first yellow of the evening after bringing down Rodrigues on the counter.
12′: Horsham are having the better of the opening exchanges, linking together some neat passes and applying pressure.
15′: Meekums hits a curled effort from the edge of the box but The Marigold’s keeper is level to it and tips it behind for a corner.
16′: Littlehampton threaten for the first time from a long throw, captain Layton gets his head to it but it goes behind for a goal kick.
19′: Chance! The ball rolls to Nic D’Arienzo in the area. His powerful shot is blocked and cleared.
21′: James Binfield and Lucas Rodrigues receive treatment, causing a stoppage to play at the Amex.
23′: SUB Binfield is withdrawn from the field of play following the injury. He is replaced by Mac Chisholm.
25′: Chance! Barely back underway following the break in play, Jordan Layton has a well struck half-volley blocked by Jack Strange.
28′: Littlehampton have played their way back into the game, carving out several half opportunities. No side has developed a clear opening yet.
32′: Marshall Ball clashes with coaching staff on the touchline after a strong tackle in front of the dugout. Tempers flare temporarily but no cards are brandished.
35′: Horsham come forward in a flowing move, working the ball into the box well. Butler swoops in on the slide, dispossessing Rodrigues.
37′: Chance! A break away move from The Hornets finds Hester-Cook free on the six yard box but he fails to convert, finding Mac Chisholm in his way. A great chance to take the lead, gone begging…
39′: Meekums produces a dangerous cross but Ola can’t get on the end of it. The Horsham pressure builds.
40′: Chance! Horsham’s Rodrigues rounds challenges from D’Arienzo and Butler as we winds his way towards goal, but his eventual effort is blocked by Chisholm.
43′: The Marigolds are coming under increasing pressure towards the end of this first half. Manager Mitchell Hand will be keen to get his side in level.
Half-time! Horsham 0-0 Littlehampton. A stalemate at the break but some great chances have been spurned by Horsham who will be disappointed not to have converted yet. Littlehampton have threatened at points and are far from out of this tie.
Second Half: The sides are back out and Jonathon Wilks’ whistle signals the resumption of the match.
46′: The half-time break saw no changes for either side. Both teams looked promising in the first period, hopefully the goals will arrive soon.
49′: A cagey opening to the second half sees the majority of play in the middle of the park as players probe for openings.
52′: Yellow! Gaskin enters the referee’s book for The Golds after Wilks had waved advantage in build up.
53′: An in-swinging corner from Hammond troubles Mac Chisholm, who flaps at the delivery. The ball is eventually put behind for another corner.
55′: Chance! Horsham apply greater pressure as Ogunwamide slots the ball to Meekums who hits it. Chisholm produces another fine stop to keep the score tied.
56′: Chance! The Hornets come close again! Sparks’ corner finds it’s way to the head of Rodrigues who strikes the post and the game remains goalless.
57′: Yellow! Scott Faber becomes the third Littlehampton player to be booked as he brings down James Hammond.
59′ Littlehampton are finding themselves increasingly penned in and struggling to make any kind of headway when they get the ball.
62′: The match is still deadlocked as the hour mark passes. Littlehampton will be delighted having been considered big underdogs in tonight’s encounter.
63′: Sub Scott Faber is replaced by Scott Kirkwood to provide some fresh legs for Littlehampton.
66‘: Yellow Following a strong challenge on Scott Kirkwood in the centre of the field, Barker becomes the first Hornet player to go into the book.
68′: Luis-Tijan Sparks is on the floor with what seems to be cramp.
69′: SUB Ola Ogunwamide is replaced by Shamir Fenelon for Horsham.
70′: Sparks is back on his feet and play restarts.
71′: SUB Mitchell Hand makes his third change of the final, introducing Kyle O’Brien as captain Jordan Layton Makes way.
74′: Chance! Harding produces an excellent cross but Rodrigues fails to convert for The Hornets.
75′: Chance! Littlehampton craft their best chance of the match with a cross whipped in to find Gaskin barrelling in at the near post. His header flies wide…
76′: SUB Rodrigues leaves the field having recently missed an opportunity to put his side in front. Chris Dickson arrives in his place to lead the line.
79′: Having come on as a substitute himself, Marigold’s back up keeper, Mac Chisholm, is down injured.
80′: Chisholm is on his feet. No third choice keeper needed. Yet…
80′: SUB Jack Brivio is brought on in place of Charlie Hester-Cook as we enter the final 10 minutes here at the AMEX.
82′: Yellow! Lee Harding is the latest player to be on the receiving end of a booking for a late challenge.
85′: Yellow! O’Brien scythes down a Horsham counter attacking charge to enter the referee’s book, much to the glee of Hornets fans in the AMEX.
88′: SUB Daniel Ajakaiye replaces Jake Elliott for Horsham as the closing stages approach. I wonder how good his spot kicks are…
88′: Chance! Sparks curls in an ominous delivery which Brivio gets on the end of but the ball slides over the bar and out for a goal kick.
89′: 3,055 have made the trip to Brighton for tonight’s final, turning one stand into a sea of gold.
90′: Six additional minutes are announced over the stadium’s tannoy. Can anyone take charge and win the game late on?
90+4′: Yellow Marigold’s midfielder Marshall Ball flies in studs up on Brivio in a dangerous area and gets a deserved yellow. Ball can count himself lucky not to have seen red.
90+6′: GOALLLLLL!!!! James Hammond hits a superb rocket of a free-kick into the back of the net, curling away from the outstretched Chisholm who is finally beaten.
90+6′: A perfect night for Horsham’s captain is secured as Hammond leads his side to Sussex Senior Cup glory once again!
Full-time: Horsham win the Sussex Senior Cup for the second year running! The title tops an unbelievable season for The Hornets who secured the league on the final day only a matter of weeks ago.
It took a magnificent strike to finally break Littlehampton Town’s resistance and Mitchell Hands’ men will be bitterly disappointed to have conceded so late having been in the game for so long.
The atmosphere is electric in the AMEX as the trophy is paraded around the ground. It will be a very rowdy train back to Horsham tonight, as they become your Sussex Transport Senior Cup champions for 2025!
