Tonight, Newhaven go in search of their second piece of silverware in as many years as they travel to Culver Road to meet Chichester City in the final of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
The Dockers haven’t lifted this particular trophy since 1994, but have a taste for success after winning the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup last season.
That cup success came in Sean Breach and Andy Cook’s first full season in charge as joint-managers, and both are looking forward to another chance to add to the trophy cabinet.
“To get to a second cup final in only our second full season in charge is a fantastic achievement by all involved,” said Breach. “And to do this with a club in which Cooky and I have at heart makes it even more special, so to win it would be a really special occasion.
“We are really looking forward to the challenge of winning another piece of silverware. It was fantastic to win the Peter Bentley Cup last season and to be honest it will always be one of my proudest footballing memories.
“But, as Cooky and I said at the time, we weren’t happy with just winning one cup every however-many years, we want to be challenging for titles every season.
“Twelve players in tonight’s squad were involved in the cup final last season, so we hope that experience will benefit us. We haven’t been on top form the past month, however, we have had some issues with injuries and player availability.
“To be honest, we’ve had to manage and protect certain players knowing this game was coming up so hopefully losing a few points in the league will be worth it by lifting the cup.
“Chichester, on the other hand, are bang on form. If you look at the form table they will be favourites and we are under no illusions that this will be nothing other than a really tough game. They have some very good players that we will have to keep an eye on but Cooky and I are confident that if we put in a performance we are capable of then we can beat anyone on our day.
“We lost to them 3-2 at home earlier in the season but we were without some key players in Adam Kneller, Robbo [Lee Robinson], Conor Sidwell, Olly Davies and Rhodesy [James Rhodes], so we knew that day it was going to be tough. We have no excuses for this game though.”
The Dockers kicked off their RUR Charity Cup campaign at the Trafalgar Ground back in September, when they needed extra time to beat AFC Uckfield Town 2-0 thanks to goals from Joe Dryer and Lee Robinson. On the same night, City cruised to a 3-0 win at Seaford Town – Josh Clack, Kieran Hartley and Jimmy Wild on target for the visitors.
Next up for Newhaven was Oakwood, who were top of Division One at the time, but goals from Dryer, Lee Robinson and two from younger brother Ian Robinson saw them comfortably beaten 4-1 at the TG. Chichester faced a sterner test in Horsham YMCA, but prevailed with a 2-1 win at Oaklands Park with goals from Dan Hegarty and Wild.
The quarter-final stage saw the Dockers host another high flying Division One side in Haywards Heath Town, but a tight contest ended with a 2-1 victory. Dryer was again on target for Newhaven and Olly Davies struck an 86th minute winner. City again eased past Division One opponents when goals from Wild, Graham Bush, Hartley, Alex Pearce and Matt Boulton saw them beat Little Common 5-1.
An all Premier Division semi-final lineup saw Newhaven play Broadbridge Heath and City take on Lancing. Goals from Dryer and Lee Robinson gave the Dockers a 2-1 victory and extra-time strikes from Clack and Bush saw Chichester through to the final with a 2-0 win.
Cook agreed with Breach about the challenge ahead and said: “It’s going to be a tough game and we are under no illusions because Chichester are a very good side and are on a decent run, but it’s all about the performance on the night.
“The whole squad have been magnificent all season and thoroughly deserve to have a chance of adding some more silverware to the cabinet.
“Like all squads there have been ups and downs so far this year, but if you had said at the start of the season that by the middle of March we will be in the RUR Cup Final, the Semi Final of the Peter Bentley Cup and 5th in the league then Breachy and I would have bitten your hand off.
“We know we have some big players who have the experience of games like this and a few youngsters who are really hungry for success. Its a good mix.
“We will have the team organised, it will just be down to them to ensure we keep our concentration at all times, move the ball well on a great surface and be clinical in front of goal.”
The match kicks off at 7.15pm and will be played to a finish.
Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX
Admission: £6 Adults (17+), £3 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card) and £1 Child (16 and under)
