Collyer’s football team win historic cup

The First Team beat BHASVIC College 2-1 in a gripping final on Wednesday (April 30) to lift the historic trophy for the first time in 45 years!

The Sussex League Cup has been running since 1960 and has been won been by teams such as Varndean, Stenning and St Bede’s.

The last time Collyer’s won this cup was in 1969, so this was a great result and reward for a fantastic year which has seen the boys win the British College’s South Region League and now complete this with the Sussex League.

The final was held at Hanbury park in Haywards Heath with a respectable turn out of Collyer’s supporters.

After only ten minutes a great cross from Collyer’s winger Tom Frankland was met by star striker and fellow Horsham FC Youth player Stanley Rice, who opened the scoring with a shot which went in off the post.

The remainder of the first half saw Collyer’s fight off some aggressive attacks from BHASVIC, who were dominating the midfield.

Half time saw some quick changes by manager Dan Watson, bringing on Connor Cushing and Will Kerr to shore things up.

Within five minutes of the restart Rice flicked the ball over one player to then finish with a volley to put his side 2-0 to the good.

Their opponents pulled one back in the last ten minutes and in a nervy finish Collyer’s were grateful to their goal posts and goalkeeper Ben Legg - who had the game of his life with some spectacular saves - for keeping them out further as Collyer’s triumphantly lifted the cup.

Head coach Dan Watson said: “The boys were really motivated and geared up for the game, their attitude within the changing room was one of a united winning team.

“The boys have really worked hard this season, only losing two games so they deserved this win. Congratulations to all involved.”