The Sussex team were without Henry Broadhurst, Indy Nash, Luke Heaton & first choice goalkeeper Felix Monaghan and Becky Smith and Lillie Standen were only able to play in the last game of the tournament having been in action earlier in the day for Mid Sussex Marlins in the ladies’ national league.
As a result all of the squad had to make significant contributions and we were delighted to secure the win after a very exciting match against Surrey in the final game of the tournament.
These are the individual match reports;
Sussex 9, Hampshire 2 (H/T 6-1)
A positive start against probably the weakest opposition and our simple but effective tactics soon put us in control of the match.
We were guilty of missing several chances when we really should have scored but we played well for long periods and eventually recorded a satisfactory win.
Scorers; – Tumay 4, Max 3, Maty 1, Ethan1.
Exclusions; – Archie 2
Sussex 6, Middlesex 4 (H/T 3-1)
A tough match where Middlesex imposed a physical style of play which we struggled to deal with. We made it hard for ourselves by not playing to our strengths and we became involved in the type of game that really didn’t suit our style.
Eventually we did get on top and we very much deserved to win what was a scrappy match.
Scorers; – Ethan 3, Tumay 3.
Exclusions; – Tumay 1
Sussex 9, Kent 3 (H/T 3-3)
This was a really good win against a decent Kent team and although the match was level at half time we put together a really good second half and eventually ran out comfortable winners.
The win meant that we would face Surrey, who had also won their 3 matches, in the final game of the day which would decide the overall winners.
Scorers; – Ethan 3, Tumay 3, Max 1, Joe 1, Ed 1.
Exclusions; – None
Sussex 4, Surrey 2 (H/T 2-2)
With the team now strengthened by the arrival of Becky and Lillie (with 10 minutes to spare!) we knew that we faced a tough game against a bigger and stronger Surrey team. It was obvious that we needed to play well to win but we actually made a poor start condeding 2 bad goals before we started to play to the tactical plan that had served us so well in the previous games.
Becky scored with a fine outside shot and Tumay equalised with some quick thinking dispossessing the opposition keeper.
The match was all square at half-time and it was obvious that the next goal would be hugely important and Ethan scored to give us the narrowest of leads.
Surrey were pressing hard for an equaliser but they had a player excluded, we took the time out and then Tumay scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
Scorers; – Tumay 2, Becky 1, Ethan 1.
Exclusion; – Becky.
Sussex squad in full; – Joey Taylor, Max Cooper, Maty Skoda, Archie Moon, Tumay Evcimen, Joe Boot, Ethan Lecuyer, Edward Moakes, Thomas Fourcade, Becky Smith & Lillie Standen.
Overall we were delighted to secure the win in what was a tough competition and although we made it hard for ourselves at times we did play well when it really mattered. All of the squad made good contributions but a special mention should be made of Joey Taylor who played in goal in the absence of Felix and came up with a number of really good saves, often at key times.
Coach – Alastair Roberts
