East Sussex Football League
Division 4

South Coast Athletico – 5

Orington – 1

On a warm Saturday afternoon the South Coast Athletico took on Orington in what would have been a prelude to this Monday night’s Challenge Cup final.

Looking to show the early season win of 3-0 was no fluke the Chopbacks set out from the off creating half chances before Ben Tate sent a quick ball over the top on the ninth minute allowing Ryan Wright to latch on to the loose ball and slot past the keeper to go one up.

Less than ten minutes later Dayle McGurk shocked the ground by sneaking in and smashing the ball into the back of the net after a pass from Brad Owens who is quickly finding his home in the middle of South Coast‘s midfield.

The second goal shook Orington in to life as they ventured forward looking to half the deficit and it could so easily have happened but for superb heroics from ‘keeper Tate throwing his body down into the feet of the oncoming striker taking man and ball with him.

More chances went begging in front of Orington‘s goal as the ‘keeper was called into action time and again, The Chopbacks were looking relentless as they looked to ruin Orington‘s promotion party.

The half time whistle blew and the Chopback‘s were firmly in command as top of the table team struggled to contain them.

There were some changes in South Coast’s personnel as Callum Homewood and Harry Jackson left the field for Mike Hawley and Lee Finnigan in a bid to keep the midfield fresh.

Less than five minutes into the second half Jack Bloomfield put South Coast further ahead as he collected a through ball from Hawley and in easy fashion rolled the ball into the opposite corner to go three – nil .

Orington looked bereft of ides as they struggled to contain the Chopbacks.

Just after the hour mark Bloomfield was on the scoresheet again for his second of the game.

Connor Easton wrapped up the scoring for the Chopbacks as he grabbed yet another goal to add to his growing league tally.

The gloss was slightly taken away as Orington grabbed one back with a sliced cross looping into the far corner of the Chopbacks’ goal.

As the whistle went and South Coast left the pitch with a 5-1 win, the team can only wonder what would have happened on Monday night in the cup final as Orington escape playing a side who have put eight goals past them in their last to games.

Man of the Match was Charley Adams.