Simon Rusk

Rusk wants to reach final

Photo courtesy of Paul Hazlewood
Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s preview ahead of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Semi-Final

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 Under-23s. 

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

Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s are the defending champions of this prestigious County Cup for two consecutive seasons and are the likely favourites going into this encounter against Bognor Regis Town.

However, the Seagulls manager, Simon Rusk insists that his side will not be taking the Bostik League Premier Division team for granted.

“We know we’ll have a tough game, but it’s one we’re looking forward to. They’ve had a decent season in their own league and we know we’ll have to produce a decent level of performance to progress,” he said.

Rusk admits that the different styles of football which is played throughout the county is completely different to what his boys are used to and highlights that the competition is always a valuable learning curve for his squad: “The tournament has real benefits for us. The boys go and play a lot of different types of games against the local sides in Sussex, which I think is great.

“We get to see them challenged in a different way to what they normally would be. That’s really positive for us.”

Rusk took the reins at Brighton Under-23s four seasons ago and his squad who are coming towards the end of their first season in the Premier League 2 - Division 1 are having an impressive debut campaign. At present, they are sitting second in the table, having lost just three games out of nineteen and are still in with a chance of taking the title if they win their remaining three games and providing the league leaders Everton slip up.

Rusk commented on his side’s season thus far: “We have to be pleased with the season so far - with three games to go, we’re second in the division that we were promoted into.

“The players have really adapted and embraced the challenge of playing against some of the biggest teams in the country. We’ve done very well and we’re looking to finish the season strongly.”

If the young Albion players overcome Bognor Regis Town on Tuesday evening then Burgess Hill Town, who narrowly beat Haywards Heath in the first Semi-Final, will be awaiting them patiently in the Final.

Rusk commented on Burgess Hill reaching the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Final, “Credit to them for getting to the final. Any side we play, we don’t take for granted. You have to turn up with the correct attitude, because if you don’t, you can get beat in any given game.

“If we do get past Bognor - and it’s a big if - it’s obviously a final at our stadium and we want to be playing in it.”

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