The final of the Sussex W J Jewell Trophy (under-12s) is due to take place on Sunday 3 March 2019 between Withdean Youth and AS Eastbourne.

Withdean Youth vs. AS Eastbourne 
Sussex W J Jewell Trophy Final (under-12s)
Date: Sunday 3 March 2019
Kick-off: 2.30pm 
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX 

This year’s Sussex W J Jewell Trophy Final consists of two extremely talented groups of young players and so whatever the outcome on Sunday, it is promising to showcase just how much youth grassroots football is thriving in Sussex.

Withdean Youth play in the Mid Sussex Youth and Minor League – Division 1 and currently sit joint top with Mile Oak Wanderers.

This is the first County Cup Final that any youth team associated with the Brighton based team have been involved in for three years and so manager, Manuel Hoffmann is hoping his side can bring the County Cup back to Withdean.

“It’s a big, big occasion and we are really looking forward to it.

“The team have won things before like tournaments but not anything as big as a County Cup Final so the team are really excited for Sunday.”

Hoffman, who also plays and manages the Withdean Vets team, decided to create the team back when they were around the age of 6/7 after seeing a number of talented boys at 5Ways Soccer School, where his son attended and he has been coaching the squad ever since.

The Withdean boss prides himself on the development of his team over the years and said: “We have developed a group of kids that have always been very talented right from the beginning and I am proud of how far they have come.

“I think we both play a similar style of football [AS Eastbourne], we both play possession style football but we have a point to prove and that’s to show that we do play very good football.

“We have a lot of spirit and creativity so I am hoping this shows against AS Eastbourne on Sunday.

“We have played AS Eastbourne in tournaments but we have never played them at 9 a-side, so I am interested, yet excited to see how it goes.

“Everyone knows how big of an occasion this is so I think lots of the player’s family will be there to support,” he continued.

Like Withdean, AS Eastbourne compete in the Mid Sussex Youth and Minor League – Division 1 and are the only team unbeaten in the league with an astonishing +44 goal difference. Due to having three games in hand, they are very much contenders to be crowned league champions, along with Withdean and Mile Oak.

As a club, they have won numerous league titles and cups and last year lifted the exact same cup when they ran away as 2-1 winners against Patcham United.

Some of Anthony Storey’s team have experienced this cup occasion due to playing up an age group and Storey, who took charge six seasons ago said: “It’s an amazing achievement for the boys and girls, the parents commit a lot of time and the players put in a lot so it’s just a fantastic opportunity for them and it’s an occasion they should enjoy.”

Both sides are yet to meet each other competitively this season and the AS Eastbourne coach knows that Sunday will not be a walk in the park: “It will be a really tough game, I know the coach very well and I will be expecting a really tough game.

“We just take every game as it comes and like I say we have scored a lot of goals this season and we are hoping we can get some on Sunday.

“They seem really up for it and ready for the challenge,” he said.

With both sides’ cup run results consisting of high score lines, Sunday morning at Culver Road is looking to be a goals-galore contest!

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 W J Jewell Trophy, please contact Competitions:

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