Sussex County FA's Disability Representative Squad won the South East Regional Disability 11v11 Competition following wins over Healthy 4 Life and Reading FC Deaf at Slough Town FC.

In the first Semi-Final, Reading FC Deaf beat Hampton & Richmond to secure their place in the Final. Sussex County FA then took the field to face Healthy 4 Life in the second Semi-Final. 

Healthy 4 Life vs. Sussex County FA - Semi-Final

The game started very open, with both side showing attacking intent from the outset. Dave Lambert created the first chance, as he headed the ball through to Lee Farrell who put his shot just wide.

On five minutes, Lambert and Farrell combined again, with Farrell crossing for Lambert to collect and score with a confident finish. The chances kept coming, with Tristham Phipps crossing for Reece Tanner to head on target, prompting a great save from the goalkeeper. 

Soon after, the due of Farrell and Lambert were combining well again, alongside Paighton Gibson. Farrell put Gibson through, who squared the ball for Lambert to score his second and secure a 2-0 lead.

With thirteen minutes gone, Sussex almost increased their lead, with Gibson and Farrell working well together, before the shot from Lambert hit the post. In the seventeenth minute, Tanner cut in from the wing, and set up Lambert again whose shot was well saved.

In the final minutes of the half, Healthy 4 Life started to threaten, having shots on target which were well saved by Bradley Tronecone. A speculative shot by the opposition found its way into the net to bring them into the game and make it 2-1 at half time.

Early in the second half, Sussex settled into the game and continued to create chances. Lambert flicked the ball onto Farrell whose shot went just wide. Soon after, Jack Turner put in a great free kick that Lambert headed onto the bar.

The game settled down after this, with fewer chances. Although, Healthy 4 Life had a strong shot which was confidently gathered by Tronecone.

Our best chance was when Nicole Webley gathered the ball and tried an audacious long range effort which almost went in.

With two minutes left, Tronecone was forced to make a great save to keep Sussex ahead, he showed great agility to keep the ball out.

Healthy 4 Life pressured Sussex late on, but they held on the secure a 2-1 victory and gain a place in the final.

Stats: (Healthy 4 Life-Sussex)
Goals: 1-2; Shots: 7-12; Shots-on-target: 4-7; Corners: 4-5; Fouls: 5-2; Offside: 3-0; Yellow cards: 0-0; Red cards: 0-0.

Reading FC Deaf vs. Sussex County FA - Final

Following their successful Semi-Final performances, Reading FC Deaf and Sussex competed in the final.

Reading started on the front foot, and immediately had a shot that was expertly saved by Tronecone. Sussex then settled down, and Webley played the ball through to Lambert who smashed his shot narrowly over the bar. 

With five minutes gone Sussex took the lead when Lambert bounced on a ricochet and kept his cool to score from close range. Sussex doubled their lead minutes later with Lambert picking out James Smith for him to nip through and score a great goal.

Sussex continued to pile on the pressure, with Lambert volleying a shot which was well saved and Smith having a lofted shot also saved.

Mid-way through the half, Reading started to grow into the game with their first shot being well saved by Tronecone. On eighteen minutes, Sussex made a small error in midfield and the striker gather the ball and powered through to score and make it 2-1. This is how it stayed until half-time. 

The second-half was very equal, with Sussex defending their lead well. Ben Wray had a free kick that was headed over by Dylan Greaves-Lord as they continued to create good chances. 

In the final ten minutes, Reading stepped up their game and put Sussex under pressure. They had three good chances, two of which were saved by the reliable Tronecone to keep Sussex ahead.

Sussex held on to win 2-1, and clinch the South East Regional Disability 11v11 Competition Cup. Sussex Captain Paighton Gibson was presented with the c by Sussex County FA President Les Kempster. up

It was a fantastic showcase of disability football, with four great teams showing their skills. Sussex were dominant in the early stages of the Semi-Final and Final, but showed great character to hold onto their leads in the final stages of both games.

The quality was truly incredible, but also the Sportsmanship as Sussex players consoled Reading players at the final whistle. They were a great credit to their County, and should be very proud.

Stats: (Reading-Sussex)
Goals: 1-2; Shots: 7-7; Shots-on-target:  5-5; Corners: 2-1; Fouls: 5-3; Offside: 4-3; Yellow cards: 0-0; Red card: 0-0.

Sussex Squad: Tronecone, Tanner, Greaves-Lord, Webley, Kent, Wray, Phipps, Farrell, Lambert, Smith, Gibson ©, Moore, Lomas, Aylemore, Turner, Webb.

Match report by Ollie Powell.