FELPHAM COLTS 1 Horsham 2

Kieran Towse, Stuart Chester, Zack Gray, Joss Knowles, Matt Mayes, Daryl Jeeves, Dan Petchey, David O’Callaghan, Matt Clarke, George Hall, Louis Masih Subs – Sam Bulley, Will Case, Ryan Wotton

Goalscorers – Hall (2)

After Thursday’s County Cup Final success, Matt Bulley’s side were looking to complete the second part of the treble in the final of the League Cup.

The first 10 minutes of the game were fairly even with Felpham claiming the first corner of the game on 7 minutes and Horsham having a chance to take the lead on 11 minutes but Louis Masih was unable to reach a cross from Matt Mayes. Six minutes later, George Hall found himself through on goal after closing down a clearance. The rebound fell kindly for him but his shot ran just wide. With 18 minutes gone, a free kick from David O’Callaghan brought the first of many good saves from the Felpham 'keeper and the resulting corner was headed just wide by Dan Petchey.

The Felpham keeper kept his side in the game a minute later when he blocked a Matt Clarke shot with his knees. The clearance from the resulting corner was picked up by Stuart Chester and played through to Clarke to cross for O’Callaghan to head just over. On 23 minutes, Sam Bulley came on for Clarke and, 3 minutes later, Clarke replaced Petchey. One of Bulley’s first tasks was to take a free kick that was headed out by Felpham for a corner which resulted in a Joss Knowles header going just over.

With Horsham applying all the pressure it was only the goalkeeper and the woodwork that kept the score level and one of the final acts of the half was a Bulley corner which a Felpham defender blasted towards his own goal, producing a fantastic save by his own 'keeper.

The second half started with Petchey replacing the hard working Darryl Jeeves and Horsham carrying on where they left off. It was the 40th minute when the young Hornets opened the scoring after a Bulley cross was headed on by O’Callaghan for Hall to tap in. A minute later, Hall’s and Horsham’s goal tally were doubled when a Clarke cross was tapped in.

Horsham had a scare in the 44th minute when Felpham broke after a long clearance but Knowles and Zack Gray were able to break up the attack and, shortly after, Clarke was replaced by Ryan Wotton. Two minutes later a Horsham defender was caught in possession and, with Felpham breaking, a quick thinking Chester stepped in and cleared the danger. 50 minutes into the game Horsham were again denied, first by the keeper and then by a header hitting the crossbar.

It was Chester’s turn to be rested, being replaced by Will Case, and 3 minutes later Felpham were awarded a free kick just outside the area. The resulting shot hit the crossbar and sparked the Colts' best period of play. On 21 minutes a long ball bounced over the defence and Felpham scored when the ball was headed over Towse's outstretched arms. Jeeves replaced Petchey and, for the next 10 minutes, Felpham went all out to equalise with Case being called on to clear off the line with an overhead kick.

With 6 minutes to go, a Felpham player received a yellow card after charging into O’Callaghan and making no attempt to play the ball. O’Callaghan had the last shot on goal when he headed another Bulley cross just wide.

At full time Matt Bulley’s side ran out 2 –1 winners but must now concentrate on what could be the League decider when they play Adur Athletic on Tuesday.