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Worthing United praised for 'grinding out a great win'

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Worthing United manager Danny Wood credited his players for ‘grinding out a great win’ away at Mile Oak in Division One on Saturday.

Two goals from Dan Hills and one from Zane Richardson ensured the 3-1 win for the Mavericks.

After the match the United boss praised his players for the hard fought victory.

He said: “Credit to my players today after a poor 25 minutes and poor decisions given against us we fought for each other and ground out a great win.”

Mile Oak took the lead after 13 minutes when Adam Dine’s cross was met by the faintest of touches by Jack Marriott at the back post.

The Mavericks equalised on 31 minutes when Richardson was unmarked from a corner and easily headed passed Aaron Stenning in the Mile Oak goal.

After the goal, there was little in the way of clear cut chances as it remained level heading into the half time break.

Shortly after the restart Hills was sent to the sin bin after the referee believed that the Mavericks striker’s reaction to a foul was enough to send him away.

The hosts looked to take advantage of being a man up and continued to barrage the Worthing United goal but Aaron Relf in goal and the Mavericks defence stood firm.

Following his re-introduction Hills made an instant impact when, after 71 minutes, he was on hand to rifle home after cutting out a square ball in the Mile Oak box.

Hills scored his second of the game eight minutes later, slotting home after a swift counter attack to give the Mavericks the three points.

The Mavericks boss alsopraised his side for keeping the winning streak going despite the adversity.

He added: “Although we started well for the first five minutes after that we were very average letting a good Mile Oak side create opportunities.

“It was disappointing to see a wide free kick go straight in but after that we started to work a bit harder and keep our team shape better.

“Second half we kept the work rate high and really started to play for each other but the when striker Hills went shoulder to shoulder with the Oak defender he was adjudged to foul and kicking the floor and swearing in frustration was good enough for the official to send the young forward to the sin bin,

When Hills returned to the pitch a square ball was cut out and nicely slotted home to take the advantage and late on another good ball to the forward was smashed home as the ball was rising on the up to seal a very good 3 points and keep the run going winning the last five league games.”

Worthing United: Relf, Butler, Thoms, Richardson, Law, Jackson, Nagle, Deacon, Hills, Brown, Phadagi


'I’m forever in debt to this man' Crawley Town star on Gabriele Cioffi

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Crawley Town top scorer Bez Lubala has paid tribute to outgoing manager Gabriele Cioffi.

Cioffi parted ways with the Reds yesterday after a run of poor results ending in getting knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Lubala, who Cioffi bought in from Birmingham City, tweeted: 'I cannot thank you enough for having faith in me and giving me the platform to progress in my career. I’m forever in debt to this man for not just being a manager but a friend and a mentor. Thank you for everything , all the best in the future.'

Panutche Camara tweeted: "thank you so much Gaffer wish you all the best"

SEE ALSO The 15 names in the frame to succeed Gabriele Cioffi at Crawley Town | Gabriele Cioffi's career at Crawley Town in pictures | Pochettino, Harry Kewell, Paul Tisdale, Edu Rubio? - Crawley Town fans speculate about next boss | Crawley Town head coach Gabriele Cioffi leaves club by mutual consent

Crew ‘attacked by group of young people’ while attending fire in Sussex

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A group of young people attacked firefighters attending an emergency in Sussex last night (Monday).

One crew member was taken to hospital after a stone hit him in the head, according to chief fire officer Dawn Whittaker.

The fire boss wrote on Twitter, “I am absolutely disgusted by the fact that our Eastbourne crew were verbally and physically attacked by a group of young people last night when attending a tree fire, we have passed this matter to Sussex Police and I want to be clear that violence of any kind is unacceptable.”

She added, “One firefighter taken to hospital after a stone hit him in the head...it’s just shocking that people want to harm the very people that risk their lives to keep them safe...very sad.”

The incident is reported to have happened in Larkspur Drive, Eastbourne, at about 6.10pm.

Sussex Police has been contacted for further information.

Horsham Ladies secure hard-fought draw, Lions march on

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The Horsham Mother Ruckers travelled to Camberley to play the Camberley Cocktails on Sunday.

Horsham started fast and made some early hard tackles to let Camberley know this was not going to be a walk over.

With the Mother Ruckers taking the game to the Cocktails they were parked permanently in their half.

With all the possession it was hard to believe Horsham didn’t score a try.

Unfortunately for them Camberley had put up a brick wall and they were not letting anyone get inside the ten yard line.

Thirty minutes in and Horsham had a penalty, which Kate Collier took with her trusted right foot and came agonisingly close but put it three feet wide of the posts.

With what felt like Camberley’s first bit of play they broke loose with a solo effort and scored the first try of the day. Horsham couldn’t quite believe what had happened.

The first half finished 5-0 in Camberley’s favour.

READ MORE Horsham 0-3 Margate: Blunt Hornets suffer first league loss in six | Horsham v Margate - picture special | Cranleigh Prep girls strike 'rose gold' at national hockey tournament
It was a great start to the second half with Jorden Zivilik-Firth showing her speed and power to score her first try of the season.

This certainly woke the Cocktails up and they seemed to get a second wind with some fast attacks as the Mother Ruckers stood firm, defended well and stayed strong.

Camberley looked like a different team in the second half and it was Horsham’s turn to defend and prevent Camberley from scoring.

A well-fought game which ended with a fair result of 5-5.

Horsham Lions’ march continues as they beat Wimbledon 3rd XV 38-17 to advance in the Surrey Cup on Saturday.

The Lions have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, drawing the other, to lie second in the Surrey Premiership.

Horsham sit two points behind leaders Farnham 2nd XV and host Rosslyn Park Hatters on Saturday.

Crawley Town interim head coach names strong squad for Senior Cup clash

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Interim head coach Edu Rubio has named a strong Crawley Town squad for tonight (Tuesday)'s Sussex Senior Cup third round tie against Lancing at Horsham.

Seven players who were in the team for the Reds' 1-0 FA Cup second round loss at home to League One side Fleetwood Town on Sunday have been selected.

Josh Doherty and Nathan Ferguson, who came off the bench on Sunday, have been named in the team.

Ashley Nathaniel-George, Jamie Sendles-White, Mason Bloomfield, Panutche Camara and Michael Luyambula, all unused against Fleetwood, have also been called up.

This will be Crawley's first game since former boss Gabriele Cioffi left the club by mutual consent on Monday.

The full squad is as follows:

Michael Luyambula, Alfie Jones, Jamie Sendles-White, Joe McNerney, Josh Doherty, Panutche Camara, Gyliano van Velzen, Denziel Boadu, Nathan Ferguson, Tarryn Allarakhia, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Mason Bloomfield, Brian Galach, Paolo Okoye.

Kick off tonight at Horsham's The Camping World Community Stadium is 7.30pm.

A reminder to supporters to use the Park and Ride at Hop Oast, opposite the entrance to the stadium. There is no spectator parking at the stadium itself.

READ MORE 'I’m forever in debt to this man' Crawley Town star on Gabriele Cioffi | I really hope they make a choice that meets the supporters’ expectations - Crawley Town opinion | The 15 names in the frame to succeed Gabriele Cioffi at Crawley Town | Gabriele Cioffi's career at Crawley Town in pictures | Pochettino, Harry Kewell, Paul Tisdale, Edu Rubio? - Crawley Town fans speculate about next boss

Sussex schoolboys selected for England squad

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Two Sussex footballers have been selected for the England U18s Schoolboy squad.

The ESFA concluded their search for the best schools’ footballers that England has to offer on Sunday 1st December, with the final England U18 Schoolboys’ trial taking place at Rowley Park, Stafford.

And Max Blencowe and Brad Santos, who both play for Lancing, have been selected.

The boys have progressed through a rigorous trial process from October until December to be finally selected to represent their country.

The schoolboys were first nominated by their county sides to attend regional trials that led to the construction of four regional squads, the North, Midlands, South East and South West. These squads then went head to head in step two of the trials process and formed the North and South Squad that traveled to Rowley Park yesterday for the final step of the trials process.

Making it to the final stage of the trials is a huge personal achievement for all the boys who attended and something they should all be very proud of.

Please find the ESFA England Schoolboys squad below:

The U18 England Schoolboys’ squad will start with some friendly fixtures, starting against the RAF on the 12th January 2020 followed by a game against Australia Schoolboys’ on the 25th January. They will then play two further friendly games against two different UCFB (University Campus of Football Business) squads before heading away on preparatory training before their competitive fixtures in the Centenary Shield against Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in April 2020.

Since 1904 English Schools’ Football Association has been the governing body for schools’ football across England and has run International squads since 1907. The Association boasts crowds of 95,000 spectators at Wembley on multiple occasions at the height of the U15 international representative boys’ team. The ESFA are proud of their remit as an educational organisation, to be able to reward individuals, particularly at U18 level, who choose to remain in mainstream education as opposed to opting to join the academy system. There are deeply rooted values in education for ESFA and this is a way to celebrate players who have chosen to build a secure foundation for themselves with qualifications, wherever their football careers may take them.

Bognor boxers have a Barnstaple barnstormer

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Bognor Regis Alliance Boxing Club – formerly called Fighting Fit – enjoyed three wins from three at the Barnstaple boxing show in Devon .

Fighting first was 16 -year-old Ben Skinner, taking on Malmesbury’s George Francome. Skinner set off the match with an impressive left jab and in the last round upped his game to secure a unanimous points decision by the judges.

Next to step into the ring from Bognor was 21-year-old Wes Samboa, who boxed against Josh Passmore of Barnstaple ABC and secured an impressive first-round stoppage.

Samboa’s big shots left the referee no alternative but to administer two standing eight counts and stop the bout.

Last but certainly not least from the club was 26-year-old Ryan Champion, fighting Rhys Chard from Bude ABC.

Champion began with a fast left hand and continued to deliver powerful right crosses to win a unanimous point decision, giving Bognor their final win.

BRABC head coach Andy Josling said: “I was very proud of each of the boys. They all boxed really well and were not only a credit to themselves, but a credit to the club and their home town of Bognor.”

OCKLEY SHOW

Ockley Boxing Club hosted their third open show at the Jeneses Centre in Bognor.

The popularity of the shows continues to grow and it was another great a great display of quality amatuer bouts.

There were 15 well-matched bouts with only two failing to reach the distance.

Chichester Boxing Club’s David Smith led the action, scoring a unanimous points victory over Hayden Young of Hastings.

Ockley ABC’s Luca Franzini took part in his first skills bout against Littlehampton’s Charlie Steel and it was a very entertaining performance from both the 11-year-old debutants in front of a big crowd.

Also on his debut was Kye Lake of Ockley, who took part in a junior contest against south London boxer Tiernan Dunne (St Peters).

This exciting contest was a real barnstormer for the crowd but the more experineced Dunne won on points, helped by a dramatic knockdown in the last ten seconds of the bout.

Lake showed great resilience to get up and beat the count and finish the contest. This was useful experience for both boys.

Next up for Ockley was Samir Doghlkiev in a great contest against St Gerards’ Luke Bow. Both were on debut and both fought with heart and skill and did their clubs proud, Bowe winning by a split decision.

The two Freddys from Ockley – Gregson and Chester – both gained debut wins. Chester’s was a unanimous decision over Ben Banner (Team Wiseman).

Banner showed all the heart in the world but couldn’t quite match Chester, who has a good future in boxing.

Gregson had an exciting bout against Romano Escritt (St Peters). The first round very even but Gregson turned up the pressure as the bout continued and went on to win with a third-round stoppage and gain a standing ovation from the crowd.

Last on for Ockley was Percival Tussamba, in a close contest which his team thought he had won but which was given the other way to a boxer from the Inner City club, Southampton.

The next Ockley show will be early in the new year as coaches continue working with a fantastic group of dedicated young lads.

England star says it's now or never for women's football

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Nikita Parris has had enough of waiting for change – when it comes to paving the way for the next generation of players, it’s now or never for women’s football.

The Lionesses star is urging more sponsors to back the sport and capitalise on the popularity of women’s football, which is at an all-time high after this year’s World Cup.

Visa signed a seven-year deal with UEFA to sponsor all of their women’s competitions last December and as the women’s game gains more global attention, other brands have quickly followed suit.

Barclays have also signed a three-year deal with the FA Women’s Super League and Lucozade became the official sports drinks and hydration partner of the England women’s team.

Visa may be the biggest global sponsor of women’s football but their ambition goes beyond money as they strive to help their athletes achieve their wider personal goals too.

PSG and Denmark’s Nadia Nadim – an Afghan refugee now represented by Team Visa – was able to work in a refugee camp this summer thanks to the sponsor’s support and while Parris has not undertaken a similar project yet, she has been inspired by its success.

“Women have to feel empowered. They have to feel like they belong somewhere. Visa shows them that they matter,” said Parris, speaking at the Team Visa summit in London.

“Visa is innovative. It helps change the landscape of not just sport, but people’s lives in many areas that might not have even heard of and in many countries that people might not have even heard of.

“That definitely resonates with me. Many people outside of Toxteth – where I come from – would call it deprived but for me it was home. When I go back, I want to make sure that the young girls see an opportunity and a light.

“It’s important that you have brands like Visa to be able to put a spotlight [on the game] and show that it’s our time. That time is now. It’s not in five years, six years, it’s right now. Let’s make change, now.”

Parris is one of the 15 players who make up Team Visa’s star-studded squad, an idea previously used by the company with Olympians but reinvented to become the first of its kind in women’s football.

Visa’s European Head of Marketing Adrian Farina said: “This is not a short-term thing. This is not something just to tick a box and to look good.

“We’ve been involved in sports in many years and we’re not just looking for another property to sponsor, but we realised there was something missing.

“We want to drive positive change by treating women’s football how it's meant to be.”


Leaders Horsham 'can't rest on their laurels' after disappointing defeat

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Dominic Di Paola stressed that Horsham ‘can’t rest on their laurels’ or ‘stand still’ after the BetVictor Premier Division leaders suffered a disappointing 3-0 home defeat against mid-table Margate on Saturday.

The Hornets, who took to the field for the first time in a fortnight, went a goal down on 35 minutes after a tidy finish from Noel Leighton.

The host began the second half with more purpose but two quickfire Margate goals from Kieran Monlouis and Adem Ramadan condemned Horsham to defeat.

The Hornets remain top of the Premier Division but only by a single goal. Second-placed Folkestone Invicta drew 0-0 at Lewes while third-placed Worthing, who are two points off Horsham, drew 2-2 at Haringey Borough.

Di Paola said: “Players that are playing have to be better. We’re not going to stand still.

“If you’re a forward player you have to be better. If you’re a defender you don’t want to concede goals.

“All we’ve ever strived to do is be a better version of ourselves all the time.

“The first thing I did after Margate when I got home was take a look at myself. That’s what the players should be doing as well.

“You can’t rest on your laurels just because you’ve won a few games of football. The best teams want to keep improving and the players want to keep improving.

“If we can’t get the players to do what we need them to do we might have to change it.

“I’ve got a bit of an idea of what happened on Saturday based on their shape. We talked about it but I don’t think the players ever really got it.

“But the boys have been top draw. They’ve taken things on board and you see that week after week.”

The Hornets were flat in the opening half hour and were made to rue their slow start on 35 minutes.

The hosts failed to clear their lines and the ball fell kindly for Leighton who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

READ MORE Horsham v Margate - picture special | Littlehampton Town looking forward to Horsham test in Sussex Senior Cup | Horsham Ladies secure hard-fought draw, Lions march on
Horsham started the second half brightly but Margate doubled their advantage just after the hour mark after an uncharacteristic mistake from keeper George Bentley.

Margate added their third just four minutes later. A buccaneering Kaddell Daniel run saw him bomb past Harvey Sparks and round Bentley.

The winger squared the ball to Elliott Reeves, who saw his shot blocked on the line but Ramadan fired home the rebound.

Di Paola added: “If you look at Margate and looked at our team, they looked like they’d been playing Saturday, Tuesday.

“It’s very hard to maintain high standards when you have a break.

“We weren’t able to prepare as well as we could for Saturday and the by-product of that was we were below-par.

“I can’t complain too much. In the game we had that chance from Lea Dawson, we might have had a penalty in the first half.

“Margate had quite a lot of the ball but I don’t think they did a lot with it.

“They scored at pretty good times. The first goal ricochets in the box and he’s taken it well.

“There was then some poor defending and the keeper makes a bit of a howler.

“Off the back of that, and with the break we had, I don’t think we had enough to kick on and drive back into the game.

“We’re not going to win every week. We have to accept that.

“Anyone that thinks we’re unbeatable doesn’t know what’s going on.”

Sussex in the winter: Archer can't boost England - but award is compensation

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Jofra Archer couldn't inspire England to a series-saving win in New Zealand.

In the second Test in Hamilton, which England needed to win to finish the series 1-1, Archer was looking to bounce back from a tough start in Mount Maunghai's first Test.

Unfortunately, Archer was unable to flourish in the first innings as he took figures of 1-75 from 28 overs before making just eight runs in England’s total of 476.

On a flat pitch on the final day, Archer went wicketless with figures of 0-27 from 12 overs but he did create chances, most notably when Joe Denly dropped a sitter off him which would have seen the back of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

However, the week wasn’t all bad for Archer as he was named Best International Newcomer of the Year at the British Sports Awards, with the England cricket team scooping three awards in total.

It was announced last week that Rashid Khan will be returning to Hove for his third stint with the club, the number one T20I bowler in the world available for the whole group stage of Sussex’s T20 Blast campaign.

Rashid was in action this week with Afghanistan as they took on West Indies in a one-off Test. The captain of his country made a pair of singles in Afghanistan’s innings and somewhat struggled with the ball, taking combined figures of 3-125 from 34 overs.

Sussex’ other overseas star for 2020, Travis Head, was in action in Australia’s second Test versus Pakistan in Adelaide, and the South Australia batsman managed to join a unique club, becoming the third Australian to win a Test match without batting, bowling or taking a catch.

The Aussies made a total of 589/3 with David Warner contributing 335 not out before the Australian bowlers bowled out Pakistan twice in under two days to seal a victory by an innings and 48 runs on day four.

Ravi Bopara hoped his Mbanzi Super League side Durban Heat could finally kick-start their season after failing to win any of their first five games. It was a successful week for the Heat as they won two games, the first seeing Bopara finish a chase of 174 versus Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, to end 18 not out off eight balls.

Bopara was not heavily involved in the Heat’s second win, only bowling two overs, going for 0-21 and not batting as they defeated Cape Town Blitz by seven wickets.

Danni Wyatt was in action for her Big Bash side Melbourne Renegades, looking to help them stay in the top-four for finals in her final three games for the club before going on tour with England. Wyatt had a dream all-round performance against Brisbane Heat, first taking figures of 2-26 and then making a stunning innings of 87 to help the Renegades chase down 184.

The Renegades then pulled off a stunning win versus Melbourne Stars, chasing down 162 to beat their local rivals, Wyatt making six, as the Renegades held their top-four spot with one game to go. Wyatt helped her side wrap up the top-four spot, scoring 44 in a 29-run win versus Sydney Thunder as she bowed out on a high, finishing with 468 runs at an average of 39.

George Garton was handed a trial by IPL side Rajasthan Royal after a superb campaign with T10 side Qalandars. The left-arm seamer will attend a four-day trial before the build-up to the IPL auction on December 19.

In Pakistan, David Wiese was retained by Lahore Qalandars ahead of the PSL draft with the draft taking place next week, with multiple Sussex cricketers looking to earn themselves a contract.

Tributes paid to Loxwood footballer with ‘cheeky smile’ after Brighton tragedy

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Tributes have been paid to a Loxwood footballer after a man died following a fight in Brighton early on Sunday (December 1).

Police said a 20-year-old from Crawley suffered serious head injuries after he and two other men were hit by a car in Marine Parade.

They have since launched a murder investigation.

Loxwood FC paid tribute to their midfielder Suel Delgado in Twitter.

In a statement this morning (December 3), the club said: “Hardest tweet we have ever had to do but very sadly we have lost a member of our Magpie family.

“Suel Delgado passed away yesterday.

“We will miss his cheeky smile, energy and jokes - such a lovely lad to have around the club.

“Thoughts are with all his family and friends RIP.”

Ismael Vasconcelos said on the club’s Twitter profile yesterday was one of his hardest days as Alfold FC reserve manager.

A tribute message added: “Saddened to learn that one of the ex reserve players from last year passed away yesterday at such a young age in such tragic circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace.”

Horsham FC said the ‘talented young player’ would be ‘sorely missed’.

A spokesman for the club added: “We would like to send our deepest condolences and sympathies to everyone at @loxwoodfc and the friends and family of Suel Delgado.”

In a statement, the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League (SCFL) said it was ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of the ‘tragic loss’ of Suel.

It added: “The @TheSCFL family would like to pass on their condolences and deepest sympathies to Suel’s family, friends and @loxwoodfc in this difficult time.”

Several other local teams took to Twitter to pay tribute to Suel.

Newhaven FC and Seaford Town FC said their thoughts were with the club and Suel’s family and friends.

Lancing FC offered its ‘deepest sympathies’ and Hassocks FC added: “We’d like to convey our condolences to Loxwood and the family.

“Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”

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Paralympic sailing champion 'sad to see' sport dropped from 2020 Games

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Redhill Paralympic champion Helena Lucas remains deeply saddened by the fact her sport won’t appear at the 2020 Games in Tokyo and that her legacy is in jeopardy.

The Surrey star won sailing gold at London 2012 and then bronze at Rio 2016, but the sport was dropped from the Paralympic programme for next year’s showpiece in Japan.

With an appeal of the decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) falling on deaf ears, Lucas is saddened British athletes won’t get the chance to walk in her footsteps.

“Rio was always going to be my last Paralympics but it's so sad to see it dropped from the programme,” said Lucas.

“World Sailing are trying to get it reinstated, but it hasn't happened yet and the work is still going on to the background.

"I feel incredibly sorry for the athletes who are still on the programme; they don't have the opportunity to have the dream that I did, of winning Paralympic gold"

Lucas was speaking at the Olympic Park in Stratford, where she joined 25 past and present British athletes to mark the 25-year anniversary of the National Lottery.

Since the National Lottery’s first draw took place on 19 November 1994, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage, culture, film, charity and community, with more than 4,500 elite athletes receiving grants enabling them to access the best coaching, facilities and support staff in the world.

Before funding began for elite sport, Great Britain were ranked 36th in the medal table at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, but at Rio 2016 – after almost two decades of funding – Team GB finished second.

Lucas says that at a difficult time for her sport, Lottery Funding has been vital and will continue to fuel hope of a future for disability sailing.

"For sailing, it absolutely transformed our sport after 1997,” she said.

"I was one of the first few athletes to get on the Lottery Funding. We went from two silvers in Atlanta to three golds and two silvers in Sydney.

"It meant we could be full-time athletes and stop relying on having a sympathetic boss to give you time off to campaign. It was really hard for us to compete at the top level.

"I think the results speak for themselves really. For the youngsters to know you can have a career in the sport you love, it's really important."

Discover the positive impact playing the National Lottery has had on your community over the past 25 years by visiting www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and get involved by using the 25th hashtag: #NationalLottery25

Mud run helps combat stress for Worthing students in their final year at school

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Students were encouraged to tackle a challenging assault course to help combat stress in the build up to exams. The Durrington High School Mud Run is part of a programme of planned events to help manage the academic demands of the final year of school with physical activity. More than 100 year-11 students and 18 staff tackled obstacles at Henfold Lakes in Dorking.

Chris Woodcock, head of school, said: “The mud run is a great opportunity for students to take part in something non-competitive, where they work alongside their peers, and teachers, to achieve a common goal. Physical activity and being outside are a great way to combat any stress students may feel, which is a natural part of their final school year. At Durrington we work hard to support our students thorough this final year and the mud run is just one example of this.” The mud run is also a great opportunity for students to socialise and work on their team building and endurance skills.

Tranmere v Chichester City - From the dressing room to the stands: Chi's day in pictures

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Everyone connected with Chichester City will have had a favourite moment from their trip to Tranmere.

For a fan it may well have come when Ryan Peake stooped to convert their consolation goal in stoppage time. For a player it might have been when they first ran out to warm up.

For the management it might have come from seeing one of the City players making a successful tackle or beating his man.

What is for sure is the players, club staff and officials and every one of the 437 City fans present will have savoured every moment and will relive the day in their minds for a long time to come.

Here, to help bring back memories of the best bits of the day, is another slideshow of great photos from a great occasion. These are by Neil Holmes and Jordan Colborne.

Picture special and what they said about Chi City's effort at Tranmere
Boss Rutherford praises players and fans
Chairman Bell's day of pride

Horsham's Senior Cup opponents are 'no clowns' warns Di Paola

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Dominic Di Paola stressed Horsham's Sussex Senior Cup third round opponents Littlehampton Town are 'no clowns' ahead of tonight (Tuesday)'s tie at The Sportsfield.

Despite being separated by two divisions and 61 places, the Golds are enjoying a stellar SCFL Division 1 campaign.

Littlehampton sit top of the table after recording an impressive 11 wins from 12 games.

The Marigolds have yet to taste defeat in Division 1 and hold a five point lead over second-placed AFC Varndeanians with two games in hand.

Di Paola praised several individuals at the club, including some former Hornets players, and insisted the tie will not be an 'easy situation'.

The Horsham manager said: "They're a proper team. They're no clowns.

"(George) Gaskin always scores goals, Mitchell Hand is probably one of the best players in that league.

"They've got Alex Duncan, who's played for me over a number of years, and he's a great defender.

READ MORE Leaders Horsham 'can't rest on their laurels' after disappointing defeat | Horsham v Margate - picture special | Tributes paid to Loxwood footballer with ‘cheeky smile’ after Brighton tragedy
"Ash Jones is certainly one of their key players. He captained Horsham to the County League (title in the 2015/16 season) and was a brilliant servant for us.

"They've got Shay Wiggans and he's won the County League, Dan Swain has won the County League a few times.

"They're playing in that league because I think they're a group of mates that want to play together and try and get Littlehampton back up.

"We respect them and we know there's never an easy situation.

"We'll go down there and try and put in a performance and correct a few bits from Saturday."

Kick-off for tonight's Sussex Senior Cup clash is at 7.30pm.

Horsham have also confirmed that their Velocity Trophy round of 32 tie, at home to BetVictor South East outfit Whyteleafe, will take place on Tuesday, December 17.


Crawley Town 7, Lancing 0: Quartet score first goals for Reds as they progress in Senior Cup

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Brian Galach, Gyliano van Velzen, Paolo Okoye and Denzeil Boadu scored their first goals for the club as Crawley Town beat Lancing 7-0 in the Sussex Senior Cup.

Interim head coach Edu Rubio picked a strong squad with seven of the team in the squad for their FA Cup defeat to Fleetwood on Sunday.

Lancing goal machine Lewis Finney was on the bench.

It was a quiet start and the first real opportunity fell to Crawley on nine minutes when Brian Galach set up Tarryn Allarakhia but keeper Matt Evans pulled off a superb save. He tipped it onto the bar before gathering the rebound. Top drawer.

Clear chances were few and far between in the first 15 minutes but Lancing a chance to take the lead when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. Alex Fair struck it well but gave Michael Luyambula no troubles.

Straight up the other end and Evans impressed again with a low save from a stinging Galach drive. Crawley attacks were frequent but the Lancers were getting bodies behind the ball. Allarakhia again threatened the Lancing goal on 23 minutes but this time Omar Bukleb's head got in the way.

Gyliano van Velzen was the next to have a go but no Lancing player needed to get in the way this time with the shot going high and wide. Josh Coupar then had to clear off the line from Mason Bloomfield before the Reds finally took the lead on 33 minutes.

Galach scored his first goal for the club with composed finish after being set up by Bloomfield as Reds counter-attacked. Minutes later he could have had a second he didn't get full contact on effort from Boadu's cross.

Josh Doherty nearly doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time with a clever effort but Evans saved again.

It only took four minutes of the second half for Crawley to get their second and it was Galach again with another assured finish.

Galach turned provider for the Reds fourth, laying off to van Velzen, who slotted home past Evans from 12 yards.

Matt Berridge and Dave Sharman were introduced for Lancing, but it was still the Reds who were on top and sub Okoye, who replaced van Velzen scored with a lovely finish in the right hand corner of Evans' goal.

Mitch Hewens had the ball in the back of the Reds' next with a superb finish - but unfortunately the substitute was offside.

It was then Boadu's turn to notch-up his first goal, another assured finish from inside the box. Bloomfield had a quiet game but he did get the ball in the back of the net, but was ruled offside. But on 86 minutes, the striker did score with another superb finish giving Evans no chance.

Okoye then got his second, rifling the ball into the roof of the net in the 87th minute.

A routine win for the Reds.

CRAWLEY TOWN: Michael Luyambula, Josh Doherty, Joe McNerney, Gyliano van Velzen (Okoye 65), Nathan Ferguson, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Mason Bloomfield, Tarryn Allarakhia, Jamie Sendles-White, Brian Galach, Denziel Boadu. Subs. Alfie Jones, Paolo Okoye, Panutche Camara.

LANCING: Matt Evans, Conrad Honore, Mo Juwara, Mike Williamson, Omar Bukleb, Josh Coupar, Alex Fair (Hewens 45), Kane Louis, James Rhodes (Sharman 70), Tom Caplin (Berridge 67), Kyle Wooven. Subs: Mitch Hewens, Lewis Finney, George Mitchell, Dave Sharman, Matt Berridge.

SEE ALSO Crawley Town interim head coach names strong squad for Senior Cup clash | 'I’m forever in debt to this man' Crawley Town star on Gabriele Cioffi | I really hope they make a choice that meets the supporters’ expectations - Crawley Town opinion

Smith hat-trick and Cook stunner earn Bognor victory over Enfield

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Dan Smith's devasating hat-trick and a goal of the season contender by Joe Cook earned Bognor a top-class 4-1 win at home to fellow Isthmian premier promotion hopefuls Enfield.

Smith scored a superb solo goal then added two more before Muhammadu Faal got one back for the north London team. But Cook ensured there was no comeback with a fourth Rocks goal – from all of 30 yards out.

The win didn't lift Bognor any higher than their eighth spot but they are now just three points behind their visitors, who occupy the final play-off position of fifth.

Bognor went into the game in a fine run of the league form – without a defeat for nearly two months.

They were without Brad Lethbridge and Josh Flint, who had been recalled by Pompey although not used in the Fratton Park Football League Trophy clash with Northampton, while new utility man Ross Edwards was missing with a badly bruised toe.

Centre-half Keaton Wood was sporting a mask after sustaining a broken nose in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Hornchurch.

Both sides possessed one of the Isthmian premier division's top scorers – Bognor's Dan Smith and Enfield's Muhammadu Faal each having scored a dozen goals in the league.

The Rocks were first to put a promising move together as Ashton Leigh and Mason Walsh combined down the left five minutes in but Leigh took too long before shooting and Enfield cleared.

Then Harvey Whyte surged forward and played Walsh into space but his cross, aimed at Smith, was cut out. Immediately Bognor got it back into the danger zone but Walsh's low shot was an easy take for keeper Nathan McDonald.

Enfield thought they'd scored on 11 minutes when Faal just had to stroke the ball into an empty net after Amadou Tangara and Wood collided in going for the same high ball in, but after a delay, it was ruled out for offside.

The north London side were looking the more threatening side and Billy Bricknell wasn't far off target from 20 yards.

But it was Bognor who took the lead on 17 minutes – with a special goal. Walsh won a free-kick which Tommy Leigh played to Smith's feet just outside the area. He somehow twisted away from the attention of three defenders, ran on and fired a fierce shot beyond McDonald and into the top corner.

With their tails up, the Rocks might have added a second when Smith chased what looked a lost cause and almost beat McDonald, then when Doug Tuck nearly worked his way free in the box.

Joe Cook sent a free header just the wrong side of the post from a Tommy Leigh corner on 24 minutes.

Enfield skipper Ryan Blackman was booked for a heavy challenge on Tommy Leigh that caused a short hold-up.

Smith was causing Enfield all sorts of problems and one cross from the right was just too far forward for Ashton Leigh, sliding in at the far post.

Whyte almost hooked in a ball headed down from a corner.

Ashton Leigh was booked, apparently for dissent after complaining about an offside ruling.

The same player took centre stage again a couple of minutes before the break when he beat his man in the box and forced a low near-post save from McDonald.

Enfield were feeding off scraps as the half ended – as evidenced by a weak Bricknell shot. Then their night got worse as Blackman caught Tommy Leigh again and picked up his second yellow of the night and was sent off.

HT 1-0

Tommy Leigh was replaced by Ben Mendoza at the start of the second half, while Enfield brought on Junior Mubiaiyi for Alfred Bawling.

Bognor began the second half on the attack but a good opening for Walsh ended with him miscuing the shot terribly. Then Crane cut in from the right for a curling shot that was straight at McDonald.

Sub Mendoza did well down the Bognor left but when he squared it to Smith, the goalscorer's shot was way over the bar. Smith's next effort – from 25 yards – was better but also too high.

Mendoza was having an influence on the game despite having just come in and played a part in the Rocks' second. He sprayed a pass out to Ashton Leigh on the left and his high cross was met first time by Smith, who touched it beneath McDonald.

It looked like a third goal was coming a minute later when Crane ran clear down the right and beat McDonald but his shot came back off the post and was cleared. Another attack down the right ended with Crane playing it back to Smith, whose shot went out for a corner via a defender's leg.

Bricknell worked dpace for a shot at Tangara on the hour but it was all along the ground and scooped up easily by the stopper. At the other end Smith sent a low cross-shot across goal but there was no-one there to touch it in.

On 63 minutes Tommy Scutt replaced Walsh, who looked like he might have suffered a hamstring strain.

Smith had hia hat-trick a minute later when he volleyed in left-footed after Cook headed a corner into his path.

Wood was booked for fouling Faal, who then made Bognor pay by turning the ball in from close range when the free-kick came in.

Faal was replaced by Sampson Esan with 18 minutes left – having been Town's best player.

Smith turned provider on 78 minutes when he squared to Crane on the edge of the box after good work down the right, but Crane curled it just high and wide.

Having conceded one, Bognor looked nervy for a while – but those nerves were calmed when they went back on the attack.

Scott Thomas was booked for impeding Smith – to the dismay of the Enfield bench, who couldn't see what he'd done wrong – and when the free-kick was cleared, the ball eventually fell to Cook who unleashed a superb shot from 30 yards that flew past the helpless McDonald and in.

Smith wanted a fourth and a shot fizzed inches over the bar with the crowd willing it to go in for what would have been the forward's second four-goal game of the season.

Arron Hopkinson replaced Tuck and then Whyte forced McDonald into a parried save with a rifled shot.

To Enfield's credit they did keep trying to get forward and Sam Youngs brought a comfortable save out of Tangara. But it was not their night – and very definitely was Bognor's as they chalked up another win and moved that little bit closer to the leaders in the promotion race.

Rocks Tangara, Dandy, Crane, Tuck, Cook, Wood, Whyte, T Leigh, Smith, Walsh, A Leigh. Subs: Scutt, Hopkinson, Wakley, Mendoza, Hensel.

Enfield: McDonald, Hatton, Payne, Thomas, Wilson, Muleba, Youngs, Blackman, Bricknell, Faal, Bawling. Subs: Mubiaiyi, Weatherstone, Esan, Charles, Brown-Bamrose.

Ref: Sean Jenkins

Att 425

* Next up for Bognor is a trip to Carshalton on Saturday, then they host Horsham YMCA in the Sussex Cup next Tuesday.

Blake praises Bognor after win over 'one of best teams in league'

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Rock coach Robbie Blake was a happy man after seeing Bognor put four past Enfield - who he rates as one of the top teams in the Isthmian premier.

A superb Dan Smith hat-trick and a long-range special by Joe Cook gave Bognor a 4-1 win and maintained a league unbeaten run that now goes back nearly two months.

Blake had praise not only for scorers Smith and Cook but for the whole team for a great all-round display that was too much for the north London visitors.

See Blake's full post-match interview above

Match highlights here - look out for a couple of special goals

How it happened - Rocks 4 Enfield 1

Golfers in the swing of winning at Chichester, Bognor and Selsey

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There have been trophies galore won at Chichester, Bognor and Selsey golf clubs in recent weeks - below is a round-up of the successes from each club. Send your golf news to steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk

CHICHESTER

The Lady Captain’s year finished in lovely weather with a Hallowe’en-themed game. With players dressed in red, white or green the ladies played a team Stableford. The winners were Yvonne Dunckley, Sarah Logan and Nicky Eastland with 104 points. Runners-up were Linda Wood ,Karen Parks and Fran Syson with 101.

The annual meeting and prizegiving was held on a wet day but was well attended. Prizes and trophies were awarded to many new players this season which was good to see.

The ladies reached the knockout rounds in both division one and three in the county championship.

An amazing total of £3,892.67 was raised during Jennifer’s year for the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust and a cheque was presented to Juliet Sykes from the charity who gave a very moving account of how the money would help to fund young people on their sailing journeys.

Continuing with fundraising the ladies’ section ran their annual Children in Need quiz and the spike bar was packed for the event. The quiz was won by the Quizzically Challenged team from the vets’ section and the total raised was £337.

New lady captain Yvonne Dunckley held her drive-in on a fairly pleasant day. Jennifer putted out on the 18th hole before Yvonne took her first drive as lady captain. The randomly chosen club was a sand wedge and the winner of the nearest correct distance was Chris Whitham

The team Stableford was won by Jane Buckley, Jennifer Sherwood and Judith Whittaker, with the runners-up Nicky Eastland, Sue Ward and Wendy Jeffery.

A total of £177.20 was raised for the captain’s charity which this year is Love Your Hospital (St Richard’s Cardiac Unit).

The lady captain’s Saturday competition was won by Helen Ball, Lisa Mitchelmore, Sue Ward and Angela Perkins 69 – with Rachel Greenland-Ayres, Yvonne Dunckley and Jane Buckley runners-up on 64.

Other results - Saturday Stableford - 1 Helen Ball 33; 2 Pam Muller 33; 3 Sang Porter 33. Children in Need Yellow Ball 9 holes - Caroline Hawkes, Lisa Jackson, Hannah Stephens 56; Val Swain, Bev Seymour, Jane Buckley 44. Children in Need Yellow Ball - 1 Linda Wood, Yvonne Dunckley, Lesly Hance 90; 2 Hannah Stephens, Angela Perkins, SP 90; 3 Brenda Butler, Lisa Jackson, Marilyn Forward 89.

SELSEY

Selsey GC veterans had their presentation day, which started with a front nine hole competition as part of the Christmas competition. The back nine holes will be played in December, on the same day their Christmas Dinner.

The day was cold but the rain kept away. The course was still in good condition but there was a lot of lying water to contend with, though the greens were clear.

After the match members retired to the clubhouse for the presentations, a marathon affair as the previous presentation day had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

There were plenty of minor prizes of bottles and vouchers to be given out but trophies of note were presented by Brian Rainer, the veterans’ captain.

The Club Champion Cup was won by Bob Anderson; the Handicap Trophy by Gerry Moore and the Bill Downham Cup by Keith Homer.

The Ray Mariner Trophy for the singles summer knockout was claimed by Bob Anderson, the Derek Aspinal Cup (foursomes summer knockout) by Brian Rainer and Marcus Whiting, while the Dennis Sanderson Putter (three clubs and a putter) was won by Jim Craig.

BOGNOR

Competitions held at Bognor to raise awareness of and money for Prostate Cancer UK started four years ago.

The charity helps so many with a nasty but all-too-common disease. Many know family or friends who have suffered or are suffering and the club were delighted that 130 players took to the course to support the event.

It was run as a Stableford waltz, with one, two, three scores counting out of teams of four players. Congratulations went to the winning team of Dom Rainey, Stuart Poyser, Greg Conway and Roland Heath, who scored a magnificent 97 points.

Second with 94 were Marcus Embleton, Gary Embleton, Matthew Reynolds and Tony Parke and third with 93 were Bill Prior, Rob Kissel, Richard Riseborough and Charles Mackendrick.

Nearly £1000 was raised for the charity. Thanks went to organisers Heather Tidy, Sian Southern and Lin Harbutt.

The Bognor seniors held the ever popular inter-services and poppy competition. With 76 players the day was, as usual, a huge success with the RAF winning the Inter-Services Trophy for the first time ever with 52 points.

Second was the Royal Navy with 50, third the Army with 49 and the Home Guard were fourth with 39.

Jim Morris took the trophy on behalf of the RAF, having spent most of his life in the service.

The Poppy Trophy was won by Paul Addison with a magnificent 43 points, second was Lionel Hickey with 39s and third was Barry Forey with 28.

There were numerous other prizes for heroes of the day, nearest the pins and so on. The competition was followed by a meal and the singing of wartime classics, expertly led by the club’s Chris Hickling.

The competition trophies as well as a number of the season’s trophies were presented by seniors’ captain Terry Kuhler.

The Reg Pain was won by Alan O’Brien, the Jack Lemmer by Trevor Till, the Jim Catt by Terry Kuhler, the Fletcher by Alan O’Brien and the Woody by JJ Stephenson and Ian Kracke.

Sussex cricket chiefs freeze prices for membership and T20 Blast passes

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Membership and Blast Passes are on sale to Sussex cricket fans for the 2020 season.

Prices for membership and Blast Passes (T20 season tickets) have been frozen for the third consecutive year.

Membership – which starts at £1 for juniors – includes entry to all 11 of Sussex’s home County Championship and Royal London Cup group matches during the 2020 season, exclusive access to members’ areas on those matchdays, priority access to knock-out, international and The Hundred fixtures at the 1st Central County Ground, savings on food and drink at home games, a copy of the 2020 Sussex Cricket Yearbook and reciprocal deals with a host of fantastic venues, including Kent CCC, Essex CCC, Hampshire CCC and several local racecourses.

An increase in Championship and Royal London Cup home fixtures on weekends and bank holidays from seven in 2019 to 12 next year make membership in 2020 a great value option even for those working Monday to Friday.

Adult members will also once again benefit from the exclusive offer of a Blast Pass for just £75 when purchased before February 28. That provides a seat at all seven of Sussex Sharks’ Vitality Blast home group games next summer – as well as priority booking for any home quarter-final – at a discount of almost 25% on a full-price Blast Pass.

Blast Passes are also available to non-members in adult, youth and junior categories, with prices starting at just £25. A full-price adult ticket at £99 represents superb value, with a seat at each of the seven group matches at the 1st Central County Ground – six of which were completely sold-out in 2019 – guaranteed for just over £14 per game. That’s nearly half the price of an equivalent ticket for an individual match.

Blast Pass season tickets are limited in number, so Members and non-Members alike are encouraged to secure their seat without delay.

Find out more and write yourself into the story of Sussex’s 2020 season by visiting www.sussexcricket.co.uk or calling 0844 264 0202.

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