RUSTINGTON OTTERS 1 HORSHAM 3

Kieran Towse, Dan Petchey, Stuart Chester, Joss Knowles, Matt Mayes, David O’Callaghan, Daryl Jeeves, Marcus Collier, Matt Clarke, George Hall, Louis Masih Subs – Zack Gray, Sam Bulley, Mackie Law

Goalscorers – Masih (2), Hall

Having had a 2 weeks break, with the County Cup Final being cancelled twice due to bad weather, Matt Bulley's side faced a tough League Cup semi-final against Rustington Otters.

The opening exchanges were fairly equal with both sides battling hard in midfield. With 6 minutes gone Zack Gray came on for Daryl Jeeves and, 2 minutes later, Horsham had a chance when Louis Masih rounded a defender only to see his shot fumbled by the Otter’s keeper for a corner. Eleven minutes into the game Rustington opened the scoring when a long range shot went in the top right corner. Petchey had 2 chances to pull the Hornets level before a Matt Clarke cross reached Masih who found the bottom right of the Otters net. Over the next 4 minutes the young Hornets dominated and another Clarke cross resulted in Masih’s second goal followed, a minute later, by a solo goal for George Hall.

With a busy match schedule ahead, the Horsham side was rotated to keep players fresh and at half time the Hornets led 3 - 1.

The second half saw Horsham content to try and contain the game in midfield and, midway through the half, they almost stretched their lead when a Sam Bulley free kick was stopped by the Otters 'keeper’s feet and the rebound put just over by Petchey.

Two minutes later Horsham were again denied first when a David O’Callaghan goalbound header was cleared off the line and the follow up shot by Clarke struck the crossbar. With 10 minutes to go, a break by Rustington resulted in a comfortable save by Kieran Towse to deny them any chance of getting back into the game.

Despite a stern test the young Hornets won through to book their second Cup Final spot of the year.