The first Semi-Final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup is due to take place on Wednesday 26 February 2020 between Eastbourne Borough and Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Eastbourne Borough vs. Peacehaven & Telscombe  
Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Date: Wednesday 26 February 2020 
Kick-off: 7.15pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9A

Three-time winners and six-time finalists, Eastbourne Borough will be looking to reach the final for the first time since 2016 when they played in front of the biggest crowd the cup had seen with 9,500 people watching on at The Amex Stadium.

They lost that day in 2016 but Borough manager, Danny Bloor, despite a commitment to retain National League South status, has big aspirations to win this competition: “Any competition you set out to win and this is no different we’ve beaten a couple of sides in the county league already and obviously beat Crawley in the last round and of course we want to reach the final because I think it’s important for Eastbourne Borough Football Club.”

Danny took over from Lee Bradbury after previously being his assistant and brought in fan’s favourite Sergio Torres alongside him. 

It was a big win for The Sports against League Two Crawley Town, who put out a strong side, but Bloor has put that right behind him and insists Peacehaven are to be treated with huge respect: “It’s history now (beating Crawley) I’ve been to see Peacehaven twice so we certainly won’t be underestimating them beyond any stretch of the imagination. 

“In any cup competition, an upset is always in the offing so we will be treating Peacehaven with the upmost respect. 

“I wouldn’t normally go and watch the opposition myself twice, but I don’t want to leave any stone unturned. I know the strengths of Peacehaven they’ve got some very talented young players, so we are not underestimating them.

“They’re a good side, a good young footballing side they’re a credit to the club bouncing back from difficulties we will treat them with the huge respect.”

Peacehaven & Telscombe are enjoying a great season sat third in the Southern Combinations Premier and but are currently the lowest ranked team left in the competition.

Manager, Mark Shutt, is relishing the opportunity to face Borough and is foreseeing the future stories he could tell: “I spoke to an old manager this weekend and he was saying we’ve only been in the final three times as a club before losing twice and winning once. 

“We’ve only been in the semi-final on one other occasion a long time ago where we faced Brighton at Southwick and a certain Rafael Meade came on and scored the winner so despite losing, their the kind of tales I want to tell my grandchildren.”

Whilst reminiscent of the times they were runners-up in the 80s and 90s, you only have to go back to 2014 when they won the competition for the first time when they convincingly beat Bognor Regis Town 3-0. 

Mark Shutt, it is fair to say, is very elated ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final but knows the challenge they are up against: “I’m excited. I’m really excited, it’s a prestigious cup and a real good opportunity to showcase who we are. 

“Realistically other than Crawley and Brighton it’s the most professional team we could’ve got which is exciting that we can be up against that calibre of player.

“They’re playing in the National League South, which is a pipe dream for us and our players to be at that level and to have a chance of playing against them.”

Shutt guided The Tye to a respectable seventh place finish in the 2017/18 season and despite a lower finish the following year, they managed to lift the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup beating Haywards Heath 3-0.

Following Bloor’s comments of watching Peacehaven twice as preparation, Mark Shutt welcomed the news very well: “I hope he’s seen one of our losses! No I mean to be fair, Danny probably knows nothing about us unless he comes to see us play. 

“Before the draw he’s completely blind of who we are and what we’ve got so it would be no surprise that he would see us play.”

Entry prices for the Semi-Final are as follows:
£10.00 Adult (17+)
£5.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card)
£3.00 Child (16 and under)

For further details about the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup please contact Competitions:

Competitions
T: 01903 753547
E: Competitions@SussexFA.com