Jarvis Brook vs. Hollington United HERO

Second time lucky for Jarvis Brook

Words by Girvane Bila
Jarvis Brook 1-0 Hollington United

Jarvis Brook won their first ever Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup last night with a thrilling victory over Hollington United in a tense encounter at Culver Road.

Jacob Baldwin got the better of his Hollington United counterpart John Carey, who defeated him in last year’s final whilst managing Sidley United.

The first-half was a tight affair with both teams accumulating yellow cards and fouls. This included cynical challenges from Danny Ellis and Charlie Baitup from respective teams.

The best chances for each team came within a minute of each other on the half-hour mark. Hollington’s Charlie Cornford’s attempt at an open goal looked to trickle in. However, defender Daniel Lawrence came to rescue, saving the effort off the line. 

Moments later, at the other end of the pitch, Steve Smith’s instinctive flick-on found Charlie Bastin who lacked composure and fired his shot over the bar.

The second-half saw both sides come out determined to build upon those opening opportunities.

The Lions got off to a fast start with Daniel Tewkesbury close to putting them ahead, however Matt Harman reacted instantly to deny him from close range. Harman again came to the rescue for Jarvis as he reacted quickly to palm another long-range effort from Cornford.

Both teams had great opportunities throughout, with Hollington’s Cornford continuing to be the most dangerous player on the pitch, as he created multiple chances, including a cross from the right-hand side that turned into a shot which bamboozled Harman and crashed the crossbar.

But it was Jarvis Brook that opened the scoring in the 66th minute, as Bastin showed tremendous footwork inside the area to beat his man and find Finlay Chapman who hit a low driven shot first time past Stokes to spark incredible scenes amongst the Jarvis supporters.

The latter stages of the final became a duel between Cornford and Harman almost exclusively.

High value shot after shot by Cornford was matched with great reflexes from Harman, who put on a goalkeeping performance worthy of the win.

Yet as the clock ticked down into the added time, the action wasn’t over yet.

With so little time remaining Hollington United threw everything for a much-needed equaliser.

Despite their efforts, this led to Danny Ellis picking-up a second yellow card following a coming together, but further drama was still yet to ensue. As moments later a Hollington free-kick which was struck superbly, but again saw Harman match it with a save.

However, Harman’s stop saw the ball drop in the six-yard box, which Andy Corrigan heads goal-wards, and looked to have given the Lions the equaliser, only for it to glance off Victor Penfold and into the gloves of the grateful Harman.

Appeals for a handball ensued from the Hollington players, but they were waved away as Jarvis Brook looked to spring a counter-attack only to be foiled by the assistants offside flag.

There was to be no fairy-tale ending for the Lion’s as Jarvis Brook closed out the win and made club history.

Speaking after the game, manager Jacob Baldwin couldn’t hide his emotions: “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said, “that right there is the cumulation of two years of hard work and graft.

“There have been a lot of downs, especially the final last year, so to get to this moment I’m just so proud of the boys and the time and effort they put in tonight.

“We’ve got such strong characters in that dressing room, and for them to have come back from last year and put in the performance they did tonight, is something really special."

Baldwin went on to add: “This is a special club and it’s really a community club.

“Most of the boys who played here tonight played some form of youth football at Jarvis Brook, so it feels most special to have done it in this way with this group of players.”

Jarvis Brook vs. Hollington United YT Thumbnail
Jarvis Brook vs. Hollington United - 12-04-23
Highlights of the Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup Final powered by Your Instant Replay.

(Video highlights are available above and on YouTube - courtesy of Your Instant Replay)

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)

Stats: (Jarvis Brook-Hollington United): Goals (1-0); Shots (9-12); Shots on target (3-4); Offsides (0-0); Corners (6-5); Fouls (10-16); Yellow Cards (2-4); Red Cards (0-1).

Jarvis Brook: Harman, Bastin, Baitup, Lawrence, Penfold, Holman, Smith, Broomfield, Chapman, Taylor, Allen.
Subs: Edmunds, Edwards, Garnder, Broom, Sales.

Hollington United: Stokes, Featherstone, McEniry, Elliot-Noye, Rogers, Corrigan, Ellis, Pritchard, Cornford, Cumming-Bart, Tewkesbury.
Subs: Cooper, McGuigan, Kalambayi, Trickett, Hickman-Smith.

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