Yesterday afternoon saw Hollingbury Hawks secure back-to-back County Cup final wins by defeating Lancing Rangers in the Sussex Les Kempster Challenge Trophy (Under-13s) at Culver Road, with the goals coming from Bailey Proudlock and Jurgen Pali early in the first-half. 

Hollingbury dominated large periods of the game, and their only disappointment will be that the winning margin wasn’t greater, which it would have been had Lancing keeper, Kaiden Cook, not produced several fine saves - predominately from Pali’s efforts.

Hollingbury started brightly, and Pali had his first chances of the game in the third minute with Cook pulling off a smart double save. 

However, the opener came from the resulting corner with Proudlock rising the highest to head home from close range. 

Cook’s best save came just minutes later, again from Pali, with the keeper managing to get his fingertips on the ball to divert the striker’s effort onto the post with the shot looking destined to nestle into the top corner. 

Lancing’s lone striker Matt Reid then fashioned a half chance for himself, but his long-range effort drifted just past the post with Thomas Campbell, the Hollingbury keeper, scrambling across his goal.

Shortly after, in the 12th minute, Hollingbury were awarded a penalty for a trip on Pali with the striker picking himself up and converting the penalty despite Cook getting a strong hand to the shot which was low and to his right.

In the 27th minute, Pali nearly had his second after expertly twisting and turning on the edge of the area and unleashing a curling shot past a diving Cook, only to be denied by the crossbar.

The energetic Reid looked to be going through on goal just before half-time, but the Hollingbury defence managed to recover and block his shot with the rebound falling to George Hollis who drilled wide. 

The second-half followed a similar pattern to the first, and Pali had several more chances to extend Hollingbury’s lead, but the striker was denied either by the impressive Cook or saw his efforts creep past the wrong side of the posts. 

Pali’s best second-half chance came in the 59th minute after a first-time ball from Ned Waddup split the Lancing defence, with Cook again making a good save. 

At the other end, captain Proudlock marshalled his defence well and the Hollingbury back four managed to limit the supply into the dangerous Reid who ran the line valiantly for Lancing.

A second penalty was awarded to Hollingbury on 52 minutes, and this time it was taken by Fletcher King who won it after playing a crisp one-two with Pali. 

King went to Cook’s right, but the keeper wasn’t going to be beaten a second time from the spot, managing to hold on to prevent any Hollingbury player from following in for the rebound. 

Both teams were determined to keep the ball on the floor, however, ultimately Hollingbury’s class showed, and they were too strong for Lancing who fought until the final whistle with their fans remaining in good spirits throughout. 

Post-match, John Seeney, the Hollingbury Hawks manager, said: “I’m glad we got the goals early enough in the first-half, as in the second-half it didn’t seem like we were ever going to score again!”

On Pali, he added: “He’s been brilliant all season and very consistent, so I’m glad he got his goal in the final!”

(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 (Lancing Rangers-Hollingbury Hawks): Goals (0-2), Shots (3-22), Shots on target (1-13), Corners (1-4), Fouls (10-6), Offsides (1-1), Yellow cards (0-0), Red cards (0-0).

Lancing Rangers: Cook (GK), Djevdet, Bainbridge (C), Kamil, Hamon, Riddles, Rider, Croydon, Tuffin, Reid, Hollis
Subs: Axworthy, Sim, Paiva

Hollingbury Hawks: Campbell (GK), Morris, Proudlock (C), Anderson, Pali, Boxall, Hattwm, Hughes, Seeney, Weir, King
Subs: Deda, Knafo, Waddup, Musimurimwa