The final of the Sussex Sunday Challenge Trophy – sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction is due to take place on Sunday 8 April 2018 between Hangover 96 and Physics Athletico.

Hangover 96 vs. Physics Athletico
Sussex Sunday Challenge Trophy Final – sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction
Date: Sunday 8 April 2018
Kick-off: 2.30pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

Both teams in this final compete in the Sussex Sunday Football League – division 2 and are in a three-way battle, along with Preston Dynamo’s to take the title. Sunday afternoon will see second place Hangover 96 and third place Physics Athletico lock horns for a fourth time this season.

In previous encounters, Hangover 96 have come away with two out of three wins beating Physics Athletico 3-0 in the league and more recently 3-2 in the quarter-final of the league cup (Ron Pavey Sussex Sunday Bowl). However, interestingly Physics Athletico are the only team to take 3 points from Hangover in a narrow defeat earlier on in the season.

Hangover 96, who are named after the inspiration of German side Hannover 96 are debutants of the Sussex Sunday Football League having formed prior to the 2017/18 season by a bunch of Brighton locals as a social hobby. However little did they know back then that they would be competing for promotion and therefore now have aspirations to gain promotion into division 1 and beyond.

The 96ers manager, Jordan Rudwick who also plays outfield says that the success so far this season has been unexpected but believes his team fully deserve how far they have come in such a short period of time: “We are all a young bunch of lads who enjoy a beer and we weren’t expecting to have such a good season.

“We had friends of friends who wanted to join us so now we have become a competitive team and we are now a team to watch out for, which I think was a shock to many clubs in our league.”

Hangover 96 knocked out fellow league contenders Preston Dynamos to make the final in what was a thrilling match finishing 4-3 and Rudwick said: “We are all over the moon to be honest.

“It means a lot, I think it has come as quite a shock to a lot of people that we have actually got to the final and are contenders for the league too.

“Everyone is happy and I am pleased that we are getting recognised for our hard work.”

Player-manager, Rudwick hopes that the final will attract and interest people to want to get involved in the Sunday League side and admits that running a team solo is not easy: “Being the manger is enjoyable, but it has got to the point where I would benefit with someone else coming on board to help me with everything.

“We would obviously love to keep the team going, but if we can’t find someone to help with the off-field section; we may have the risk of folding.

The 96ers boss insists that he knows what to expect from his opposition Sunday: “Physics are solid at the back.

“They are good at defending and then they just tend to hit you on the counter attack.”

Physics Athletico are a Seaford based club who formed ten years ago by a group of local science students. Since forming, the team have gone from strength to strength after learning the hard way in their first season and not winning a single game all season.

For eight years the side played in the Lewes Sunday League and at the beginning of the 2016/17 season the team decided upon a fresh challenge and moved across to the Sussex Sunday Football League.

Last season the Physics gained promotion to division two and won two league cups being the Ron Pavey Sussex Sunday Bowl and the Invitational Cup in a space of eight days.

This season they are looking to replicate last year’s success and get their hands on the cup and gaining promotion however, last night dropped three points to Preston Dynamos from a 3-2 defeat, which makes their prospects of moving to division 1 harder. 

The Physics manager, Steve English has been with the club for six years and is very proud of how far they have come: “Reaching the county cup final is a huge achievement for the club and it means everything.

“We have played them three times already this season and every game has been very tough, it’s going to be a hard game and they are going to certainly be up for it, just like we are.

“We aren’t going into it lightly; it’s going to be a battle.

“It’s a cup final so anything can happen - we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

Sunday will mark a significant day for all involved at Physics Athletico but especially for three dedicated players who have witnessed all the ups and downs in the history of the club. Forward Rob Frost, midfielder Karl Thomas and Captain Wes McGovern have been with the club since the beginning, with Wes taking his passion for the club to the next level getting a tattoo of the club logo on his leg after winning their first honour last season!

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

For further details about the Sussex Sunday Challenge Trophy, please contact Competitions:

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