Celebrations

Disability team step closer to the Cup

Disability Representative Squad make semi-finals

Our Disability Representative Squad have another trophy in their sights as they stormed through to the Semi-Finals of the South East Regional Disability 11v11 Competition. 

After wins over Hampton & Richmond and MK Dons, a draw with Reading and third win against Charlton ensured their qualification in flying colours without the defence being breached. 

Match 1 vs. Hampton & Richmond

Sussex watched on as Hampton & Richmond gained an impressive opening victory against MK Dons, winning 2-0. The team weren’t phased however and took no time in showing them who the team to beat was. 

James Smith was played through by Dave Lambert just 3 minutes in and the number 9 slotted home coolly into the far corner to open the scoring.

Hampton & Richmond, however, were gifted an opportunity back in the game from the spot but they couldn’t capitalise and saw the penalty drift wide.

Sussex looked to punish them and did so emphatically with two quick-fire goals. First from Lambert who charged through their defence and struck into the top corner with a lovely lob over the goalkeeper. This was shortly followed by Smith who added his second heading in at close range. 

Minutes later, it was a fourth for Sussex when Frazer Standen found space and nicely placed a shot into the far corner from the left of the penalty area. 

Stats: (Sussex-Hampton & Richmond)
Goals: 4-0; Shots, 11-2; Shots-on-Target: 4-1; Corners: 4-1; Offsides, 2-2; Fouls: 1-3.

Match 2 vs. MK Dons

MK Dons showed great resilience and battled hard in defence which made it hard for Sussex break them down. They eventually found the breakthrough, however, when Danny Alnutt fired home from the edge of the box leaving the Dons ‘keeper with no chance. 

Then, shortly before full-time, Lambert ensured the victory, striking in at close range after zig zagging his way through the Dons back-line. That setup an intriguing game against Reading up next who had also maintained a 100% start in the competition. 

Stats: (Sussex-MK Dons)
Goals: 2-0; Shots, 7-2; Shots-on-Target: 4-1; Corners: 4-0; Offsides, 1-1; Fouls: 2-2.

Match 3 vs. Reading

Neither team looked to give much away in this one which made it look destined for a draw. Sussex, in the latter stages piled pressure onto the Royals but thanks to some brave defending and a few vey tidy saves, it wasn’t to be. 

The biggest chance fell to Ben Wray who hit a venomous strike from distance which was brilliantly saved by the Royals 'keeper despite an awkward bounce. 

Reading, themselves, had some good chances and looked a big threat on the counter. After pressing high up the pitch Sussex were caught on the counter but had Sam Webster to thank as he made a top save at the near post. 

Stats: (Sussex-Reading)
Goals: 0-0; Shots, 6-4; Shots-on-Target: 3-2; Corners: 5-1; Offsides, 2-3; Fouls: 2-4.

Match 4 vs. Charlton Athletic Deaf

The draw with Reading actually setup a nervy final game against a good Charlton side. If Charlton were to draw or even get a victory, there was a chance that themselves and Reading would progress. 

With this in mind, you had to praise the Sussex side for showing no signs of nerves whatsoever and from the off you could tell it was treated like any ordinary game. 

James Smith scored what had to be goal of the day with a powerful strike, first-time, from the edge of the box which just kept rising into the top corner.

Dave Lambert followed suit with a sensational strike from a very tight angle outside the area floating right into the top corner. It could have been three for Sussex when Lambert, after some brilliant work into the box, found Smith who struck the crossbar from close range. 

Stats: (Sussex-Charlton)
Goals: 2-0; Shots, 8-2; Shots-on-Target: 4-0; Corners: 3-0; Offsides, 0-1; Fouls: 1-2.

Disability Reps highlights - 18 Jan 20
South East Regional Disability 11v11 Competition Quarter-Finals - 18-01-20
Highlights from our Disability Representative Squad vs. Hampton & Richmond, MK Dons, Reading and Charlton in the South East Regional Disability 11v11 Competition Quarter-Finals. Powered by Your Instant Replay.

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Kyle Hemsley)
(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

Sussex Squad: Troncone, Moore, Greaves-Lord, Hammond, Turner, Francis, Rogers, Hazlewood, Smith, Lambert, Flack, Standen, Webster, Alnutt, Wray, Hunt.

Match Report by Jack Towers