The second Semi-Final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup is due to take place on Tuesday 9 April 2019 between Bognor Regis Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bognor Regis Town vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Date: Tuesday 9 April 2019
Kick-off: 7.15pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

Bostik League Premier Division side Bognor Regis Town proudly have their name engraved on the prestigious cup eight times and have been runners up eight times also.

However, their last real attempt at County Cup silverware was in the 2013/14 season where they lost out to Peacehaven & Telscombe by three goals to nil.

Jack Pearce, Bognor Regis Town legend arrived at the club in 1970 as a 21-year-old full back and in 1976 took on the role as manager. He is now in his forty eighth year as general manager and has had many spells as the team manager, which saw him take back on the responsibility at the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

Pearce has fond memories of when he led his team (at the time) to five consecutive Sussex Senior Challenge Cup victories from 1979/80 to the 1983/84 season and he explains what it would mean for the club to reach it again, “It’s always nice to get to, so we certainly consider it as an important competition for us to try and get to the final of if we can.

“It’s something that the supporters can look forward to at the end of the season, it’s important and we want to do it for them.”

The Rocks had to see off Three Bridges and East Grinstead to get to this point of the competition and Pearce stressed that it was not plain sailing: “We have had a couple of games which were very tight, they were good games and we manged to get through so we’ve enjoyed the run to now.”

The Bognor manager knows that his side are the underdogs going into Tuesday nights clash, but insists they will give it all they have got.

“We have obviously got the stiffest competition from the draw as I would think the favourites will be Brighton Under-23s, but it’s an interesting challenge for us,” he said. 

“It will be a good occasion and I am sure they [Brighton & Hove Albion] will be desperate to get to the final, and we will be desperate to make sure they will have to watch in the stands,” he added with humour. 

Entry prices for the Semi-Final are as follows:
£10.00 Adult (17+)
£5.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card)
£3.00 Child (16 and under)

For further details about the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup please contact Competitions:

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