Sussex C P Mason Cup Final (under-14s)

Sussex C P Mason Cup Final (Under-14s) Preview

Hastings United vs. Patcham United Phoenix

The final of the Sussex C P Mason Cup (Under-14s) sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction is due to take place on Sunday 28 April 2019 between Hastings United and Patcham United Phoenix.

Hastings United vs. Patcham United Phoenix
Sussex C P Mason Cup Final (Under-14s) sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction
Date: Sunday 28 April 2019 
Kick-off: 2.30pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

Patcham United Phoenix are chasing a treble for the second season in succession but they know they will be facing an excellent team in the Sussex C P Mason Cup Final (Under-14s).

Having been together since under-6s, Patcham moved into the Mid Sussex Youth & Minor Football League last season, winning the league title, the league cup and the futsal tournament. This time around they need four points from their remaining two league games to be champions again and they have already retained the league cup.

Next up is the County Cup Final against Hastings United, who play in the Kent Youth League, and joint-manager John Knight is a proud man as he looks forward to the day.

Knight, who runs the team with Mike Carter, said: “It is a big thing, especially for a team like ourselves who are a proper grassroots football team. Most of the boys have been together since under-6s so this has been eight or nine years in the making.

“We pride ourselves on grassroots coaching and development of the boys. We have added a few players along the way but it is a very big achievement for us to get to the County Cup Final when you consider the strength of some of the teams we have come up against.

“It has been two brilliant seasons, winning the treble last year and a chance of winning the treble this year. We have got a really tight-knit group of boys, there are no superstars, they all play for one another. At training, they want to listen, they want to learn and they want to develop. They have taken a lot of our ideas and tactics on board and it has all come together.”

Patcham’s semi-final victory over Worthing drew praise from a former Brighton defender. Knight said: “Adam Hinshelwood was coaching for Worthing and he came up afterwards to say we fully deserved the win and we never gave up, so it was good to hear that from someone who has played at a very high level.”

As for the final, Knight added: “We know Hastings are a very strong team, they play in the Kent Youth League against a lot of academy teams, so we are under no illusions it is going to be hard but if we give it our best shot we will be in with a chance.”

Hastings United manager Andrew Whiffen-Brown is delighted how his team has developed this season after being “thrown together” last summer. They are likely to finish third in the Kent Youth League Division One, behind academy sides Ebbsfleet and Maidstone, which is a big achievement.

Whiffen-Brown said: “Reaching the County Cup Final is tremendous. The lads have done exceptionally well. I have worked with a lot of the players before at various other clubs in Sussex, it is their first season at Hastings for a lot of them and the first time a lot of them have played in the Kent Youth League as well. For a side that was thrown together in the summer, it has been a really successful season to finish third and make the County Cup Final.”

Hastings have conceded just one goal on their way to the final and that pleases their manager. He said: “The only goal we conceded was against Eastbourne Borough in the semi-final. That is one thing we have put an emphasis on this season; we have tried to really highlight the importance of the defensive side of things and keeping clean sheets.”

Whiffen-Brown admits winning the Sussex C P Mason Cup Final would mean a lot to his players. He added: “Other than summer tournaments, it is the first time a lot of the lads will have been to a cup final. With Ebbsfleet and Maidstone in our league it has been very strong this year and in terms of winning the league it hasn’t been possible but for their hard work to pay off and win the County Cup would be massive.”

Entry prices for the final are as follows:
£3.00 Adult (17+)
£2.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card)
FREE Child (16 and under)

For further details about the Sussex C P Mason Cup (Under-14s) sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction please contact Competitions:

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

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