KSD Celebrations

KSD defy Physics to lift Sunday Cup

KSD Support Services 3-0 Physics Athletico

KSD Support Services won the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup sponsored by Gardner & Scardifield after 3-0 victory over Physics Athletico in an end-to-end contest at Culver Road on Thursday evening.

 A double from Josh Jones and a headed finish from Wes Millis proved to be the difference between the two sides, as KSD were just more clinical than their sprightly opponents.

It was evident this was going to be an open and attacking cup final from the first whistle as both sides had early opportunities to take the lead. 

KSD skipper Kevin Townsend sent a dangerous free-kick from 20-yards out goal-wards which Physics keeper Matt Brown was equal to.

At the other end the Connor Jones, who was a real livewire for Athletico all night, saw his powerful drive expertly tipped over the crossbar by the equally impressive Lee Baker in the KSD goal after just 6 minutes.

Tommy Fraser looked to be pulling the strings in the centre of the park for KSD and a lovely move presented him with an opportunity on the half-volley from the edge of the box on 9 minutes, which Brown did well to get his body behind and hold on to.

The pace of C. Jones was causing the KSD defence problems, and he bore down on goal after springing the offside trap on 18 minutes, but his low shot was repelled by the outstretched foot of Baker.

Minutes later KSD broke the deadlock as an in-swinging corner from J. Jones was unfortunately fumbled into his own net by Brown.

Baker again thwarted C. Jones either side of KSD’s second goal. He dived to his right to prevent an equaliser on 22 minutes, and then five minutes before the break Townsend delivered a beautiful ball to the back post that Millis met and headed down into the goal to double the lead. On the stroke of half-time Baker denied C. Jones again, much to the striker’s frustration.

Physics nearly pulled a goal back a minute into the second-half as Tim Moyo strode forward before unleashing a dipping drive that just didn’t dip enough for the full-back to nestle in the top corner.

Tom Lawley was introduced in the second-half for KSD and his directness and trickery was a real threat. Just before the hour mark he latched onto a through ball and fizzed a low shot across goal that Brown did well to get a hand to, but he could only divert the ball back out into the danger zone and Lawley looked certain to tap in but for a last ditch saving tackle by Moyo.

Moments later C. Jones had the perfect opportunity to pull a goal back for his side and score the goal his performance deserved, but, after great work by Sid Nicholls who beat the advancing Baker to the ball and squared to the striker, his composure deserted him and he somehow blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

With 15 minutes to go the game was put beyond doubt as KSD grabbed their third goal from the penalty spot. The pace of Gary Rook caught out Physics centre-back Mark Woodward and he brought down his man leaving referee Paul Rowland with little option but to point to the spot.

J. Jones stepped up and just about converted the spot kick, as Brown guessed right and got good purchase on the ball but was unable to keep it out as it creeped into the corner of his net.

That goal took the sting out of the contest and KSD saw out the remainder of the game to secure the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup for the first time in their breif history.
After the match triumphant KSD manager Ted Ratcliffe said: “To be fair to Physics they put on a good performance, they had a couple of good chances that they should have stuck away and if they had the game could’ve been different, but we stuck to the task and got a good win so we are really pleased!”

KSD Celebrations
KSD Support Services vs. Physics Athletico - 06-02-20
Full highlights of the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup Final. Powered by Your Instant Replay.

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)
(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

Stats: (KSD Support Services-Physics Athletico)
Goals: 3-0; Shots: 17-15; Shots-on-target: 8-7; Corners: 6-4; Fouls: 13-19; Offside: 2-1; Yellows: 0-3; Reds: 0-0.

KSD Support Services: Baker, Harding, Hall, Grice, Millis, Fraser, Thomson, Townsend ©, Mitchell, Gargan, J. Jones.
Subs: Rook, Salaita, McBride, Lawley, Akehurst.

Physics Athletico: Brown, Moyo, McGovern ©, Woodward, Pooley, Ellingham, Spragg, Thomas, Frost, C. Jones, Paston.
Subs: Cooper, R. Jones, Nicholls, Coates, Harkness.

Match report by Darren Ford

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