The title had already been won on Sunday (without kicking a ball), but that didn't stop Peacehaven Under 18's producing a solid victory to confirm themselves as Youth Section (Central) Champions.

At a foggy Piddinghoe Avenue, there were 3 changes to Sunday's line-up with Frazer Massen, Adam Harris and Steven Whelan replacing Tom Stutters, Charlie Miles and Harrison Cullinane.

Haywards Heath where on the back-foot from the start as Peacehaven took the lead with only 12 minutes on the clock. Jimmy Thomson won a tackle 25 yards out, and his long range shot sailed past Harry Stewart in the Heath goal and into the roof of the net.

That goal set the pattern for the first half, as Peacehaven constantly pushed forward looking to capitalise on their lead. They were rewarded for their pressure 10 minutes before the break when a run from Steven Whelan took him to the bye-

Three minutes later the game was effectively put beyond Haywards Heath when Steffan Robinson-Webster controlled the ball well and played in Freddie Barker who fired in his second of the evening.

Haywards Heath were gifted a chance to decrease the deficit a minute before the break when a quickly taken Peacehaven free-kick was passed straight to Paul Lodge, and his long-range shot produced the first save of the evening from Josh Heyburn.

Even then, there was still time for another Peacehaven attack, and right on half-time Freddie Barker missed a glorious chance to score a quick fire hat trick.

The second half saw the visitors start to put together some promising moves, but Peacehaven are always dangerous on the break, and so it proved just 8 minutes in to the 2nd half. A searching pass from Matt Lago found Steffan Robinson-Webster in the box and he contolled the ball well before turning to fire past Stewart to make it 4-0. It was a well worked goal, and produced an impressive celebration from the scorer (which included a forward summersault and a cartwheel !! )

Peacehaven went 5-0 ahead on the hour after Robinson-Webster had been brought down on the edge of the box. Charlie Miles stepped forward, and his well placed kick floated over the wall and straight into the top corner.

The visitors still pressed forward looking to salvage something from the game, but nearly found themselves six behind with 20 minutes remaining. Joe Panther won the ball in his own half and went on an alarming run, which saw him beat 5 defenders, before putting in a perfect pass to Steven Whelan who converted from inside the box. It would certainly have been a contender for "Goal of the season", but a flag on the far side ruled it out for off-side.

Haywards Heath where eventually rewarded for their 2nd half effort on 76 minutes when Josh O'Brien's pass found Paul Lodge who fired past Heyburn to make it 5-1, and the scoring was wrapped up 5 minutes from time when Tom Tyler's corner was headed in by Steven Whelan.

There was a party mood after the game, as Peacehaven left the field to the music of "We are the Champions" echoing around the ground. It's been a tremendous effort by everyone involved, and they will now be focusing on winning the over-all title. On this performance, who'd bet against them ?

Report by
Keith Parris

Thursday 31st March 2011.   Youth Section (Central) Peacehaven & Telscombe 6 - 1 Haywards Heath Town Josh Heyburn 1 Harry Stewart Frazer Massen 2 Jacob Lane Tom Tyler 3 Joe Wynn Jimmy Thomson  12 4 Connor Emery Joe Panther 5 Robert Le Cas  72 Connor Saunders  HT 6 Josh O'Brien Adam Harris  62 7 Tom Shambrook Freddie Barker 36 39  HT 8 Simon Pitt Steffan Robinson-Webster 53 9 Paul Lodge  76 Matt Lago 10 Jack Webb Steven Whelan  85 11 Martin Ratcliffe Substitutes Harrison Cullinane  HT 12 Kurtis Clark  72 Charlie Miles  HT  60 14   Tom Stutters  62 15   Matt Nuttman 16           Peacehaven Man Of The Match Frazer Massen