The final of the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup - sponsored by Gardner & Scardifield is due to take place on Sunday 18 February 2018 between Queens Park and AFC 2015.

Queens Park vs. AFC 2015
Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup Final - sponsored by Gardner & Scardifield
Date: Sunday 18 February 2018
Kick-off: 10.30am
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

Both teams compete in the Sunday Sussex Football League Premier Division and Sunday will see them meet for the third time this season at Sussex County FA’s headquarters, Culver Road.

Looking at their domestic league standings, many would suggest that the likely team to lift the title will be AFC 2015, however both teams have the utmost respect for one another and it promises to be a very competitive cup final.

In the two previous encounters this season, both score lines differ strikingly with AFC 2015 coming away with the 3 points on both occasions beating Queens Park 2-1 and more recently 5-0.

Since establishing in 2015, AFC 2015 have gone from strength to strength, just two years ago they were in Division 4 and now currently sit top of Sussex Sunday Football League Premier Division, having lost just 2 games out of 20 in all competitions.

AFC 2015 manager, Ian South and his squad will not be taking anything for granted on Sunday, especially after falling short in last year’s Sussex Sunday Trophy Final, losing 4-2 on penalties to Bevendean Athletic (Reserves). “Although our league position says we should win, we will be taking absolutely nothing for granted; it will be a tough game.

“When you look at the pedigree of the teams we faced to get to this final, it’s a massive achievement for us.” He said.

Despite AFC 2015 flying high this season, South explains that it has not been easy at times and has lost some key players due to injury and other commitments along the way.  “Our two main strikers have been out for most of the season due to injury and our centre midfielder done his knee ligaments last week and our two first choice centre-half’s have quit due to other commitments.”

Queens Park are no stranger to the Sussex Sunday Challenge Cup making it to the semi-final last year but were beaten 3-1 by current cup holders Real Rosehill; so this year will be looking to go that bit further to cause an upset and clinch the silverware.

Player manager, Bobby Foster said: “The club is extremely proud to have got this far in the competition. To have an opportunity to play in a final is an honour and something that the club will greatly enjoy.”

“The squad believe we’re not a bottom of the table side, and rightly so. We also believe that we have enough in us to win the game and be ambitious in the right moments.

“Ever since I’ve played at the club, we’ve always had it in us to produce an upset and play above ourselves; we don’t fear anyone and we hope to do ourselves proud on the day,” he added.

Queens Park’s route to the final has not come easy and Foster stresses that none of their victories ran smoothly. “Winning the semi- final by two goals to nil should no way suggest that the game wasn’t tricky to manage.

“We’ve dug in at times and perhaps got a bit fortunate but have also had games where we were wasteful with chances.”

Winning the Sunday Sussex Challenge Cup will be a huge achievement for Bobby’s side and they will certainly be putting their full belief into Sunday’s game. “As everyone can see from our league position, we’ve been disappointed at times with performances, but there’s a strong and founded belief in our club that on our day we can beat anyone and we’ll be taking that into Sunday.”

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 Cup - sponsored by Gardner & Scardifield, please contact Competitions:

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