With the Youth Section Central title safely in their grasp, the Under 18's travelled to Priory Lane for a Play-Off match with Eastern Section Champions Eastbourne Borough, to decide who would meet Chichester City in Sunday's Final.

Connor Saunders and Harrison Cullinane both returned to the side after missing Sunday's win at Whitehawk, and Peacehaven were keen to avenge the 0-2 defeat on this ground in the Sussex Youth Cup back in October.

They started in positive fashion, and could have been infront as early as the 2nd minute. Freddie Barker's surging run took him to the bye-line, and his low cross found Steven Whelan but he was unable to convert.

It was only a matter of minutes before the visitors went in front though. Barker was fouled outside the box by Andy Henson, and Tom Tyler's free kick was only parried by Bersin in the Borough goal. Freddie Barker was on hand to drill the ball home to give Peacehaven the ideal start.

Peacehaven were happily on top at this stage, but they were missed chances they'd live to regret.

Tom Stutters had to be substituted due to illness, and Borough gradually began to dominate as half time approached. The found themselves level when an Ashley Darby corner was only half cleared, and Chris Geer headed home from 8 yards.

Peacehaven regrouped at the break, and were soon to be creating chances again. They felt they should have had a penalty following a clumsy challenge on Matt Lago, and then a Connor Saunders header from a corner was cleared off the line.

Having survived those scares the home side soon were soon showing some threat themselves, with Marsh and Geer always looking dangerous in their swift counter attacks, and on the stroke of full time Max Guy missed a golden opportunity to seal the tie.

Shortly in to extra-time Borough took the lead in nearly identical fashion to their first goal. This time it was George Avann's corner from the left which was parried out, and Will Marsh fired in from close range.

Borough were happy to defend their lead, packing a well organised defence, and as full time approached, so Peacehaven threw everything into attack. Connor Saunders was redeployed as a centre-forward, and with 5 minutes remaining he saw a powerful header well saved by Bersin.

In the dying minutes, even 'keeper Joe Panther was thrown into the fray, coming up for a corner only to see his header cleared off the line. From the resulting breakaway, Borough put the game beyond doubt. Tom Tyler's tackle on Chris Geer produced a yellow card and a penalty decision from the referee, and Ashley Darby's conversion meant there was no way back for Peacehaven.

There was still time for Connor Saunders to produce another spectacular save from Bersin, but it's Eastbourne Borough who will be going through to Sunday's over-all Championship decider.

On leaving the field, a philosophical Shaun Saunders commented, "That's what happens if you don't take your chances - but the lads have been brilliant this season and can feel very proud of what they've achieved"

Thursday 28th April 2011.   Youth Section Semi-Final Play-Off Eastbourne Borough 3 - 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe   aet   James Bersin 1 Joe Panther 118 Jad Caille 2 Tom Stutters  34 Andrew Corrigan 3 Tom Tyler  119 Andy Henson 4 Charlie Miles Luke Ridgway 5 Connor Saunders  81 Jimmy Gill 6 Jimmy Thomson Ashley Darby  119 7 Frazer Massen Max Guy  95 8 Harrison Cullinane  104 Will Marsh  104 9 Matt Lago Chris Geer  36 10 Freddie Barker  5 Domonic Cole  HT 11 Steven Whelan  7   108 Substitutes Connor Sidwell 12 Steffan Robinson-Webster  34 Ben Russell 14 Matt Nuttman  108 Jack Panther  HT 15 Brad Langley  104   111 George Avann  95 16   Mark Norris 17           Peacehaven Man Of The Match   To be announced