Sedlescombe U18s  3  Peacehaven U18s  3 

Having made the long trip to Sidlesham in the 1st Round, the Under 18's set off in the other direction this morning, for their Sussex FA Youth Cup match with Sedlescombe Rangers (situated at the back of Hastings)

A bookmaker would have made Peacehaven odds-on to win this comfortably, but this was Cup football and, as we all know, anything can happen.

Still without the suspended Freddie Barker, Jack Measures was given his first start and Peacehaven took the lead after 34 minutes through substitute Matt Lago, who'd only only just replaced Steffan Robinson-Webster.

Sedlescombe equalised 5 minutes before half-time, and then went 2-1 ahead soon after the restart. Frazer Massen made it 2-2 on 60 minutes, but 5 minutes later came the turning point of the game.

With a Sedlescombe forward bearing down on goal, keeper Jamie Witham came out to challenge, was injured in the collision, and Sedlescombe went on to score. Witham had to go off with his injury, and having already used 3 substitutes, Peacehaven were losing 2-3 and down to 10 men.

Connor Saunders took over in goal, and as the clock ticked down it seemed the match was over. With the game deep into injury time substitute Fisher Beattie scored to force an unlikely extra-time.

Peacehaven nearly stole to game in the dying seconds when Jack Measures missed a golden opportunity, and so came the dreaded shoot-out.

Charlie Miles and Dean Smith both converted before emergrency keeper Connor Saunders missed his effort. Jimmy Thomson was on target, but Steven Whelan's miss meant Sidlesham didn't have to take their 5th, and Peacehaven were out.

"It was a nightmare day !! " said an exhausted Shaun Saunders on Sunday evening. "I think we still had a hangover from the Dartford game and we should have easily put this match to bed in the first half. It's important that we regroup now, stay positive, and move on"

Report by Keith Parris

Peacehaven:- Witham, Stutters, Tyler, Cullinane (Miles 55), Thomson, Saunders, Smith, Massen (Beattie 60), Measures, Robinson-Webster (Lago 30), Whelan.

Unused Subs:- Langley, Heyburn      Scorers:-  Lago, Massen, Beattie

Peacehaven Man Of The Match Connor Saunders