Tranmerekat on Tour: Lardy Army Dreamers

Horsham FC face Hastings United FC in the Sussex Transport Senior Challenge Cup at the AMEX Stadium

The Hornets 🐝 face the U's in the final game of the season and it's a warm may night at the home of the Seagulls. Up for grabs tonight is a historic piece of silverware as it's the 133rd edition of the Sussex Senior Cup. The Hornets last won this cup in 1974 and are looking to hoist the trophy again in their new era. It will show the huge progress they have made in recent years. The U's last won it in in 1998. The two sides finished close in the Isthmian Prem with the Hornets in 5th and the U's in 7th. The Hornets made the paly-ffs but lost in the semi-final away to Chatham on penalties. Chatham then lost to Enfield Town in the final. Dougie is on the bench tonight. It was 5 years ago yesterday that he scored the extra time winner to win the Cup here for Bognor. Would settle for a repeat of that tonight although maybe without the extra time. Certainly don't want penalties. Not seen the boys in green and yellow much this year but there are some familiar names on the team sheet. Jack Mazzone had a huge impact when he came on against Lewes. Expecting a close game tonight but also some goals.

The Hornets have some control of the ball from the start. The Green and Yellow seeing more of the ball than the Whites. It takes just 6 minutes for the scoring to start as Reece Meekums is fed the ball on the left side of the box and makes himself space to slot it past the keeper and inside the far post ⚽. Another 20 minutes and it looks like it will be 2 but both strikers try to play the ball at the same time and get tangled up without playing the ball. Doh 🤦‍♂️. It's an early sub on 30 as Sparks come off injured and is replaced by Philpot. A attacking great team move with a cross to the far post, headed back across the goal by nodded in by Shamir Fenelon on 33⚽. Advantage the Hornets and 2-0 at the break.

The second half starts with a Hornets chance when a great shot from wide skims the outside of the far post on 46. No sitting back on the lead here. Next goal will be crucial to either team. The Whites are playing better now and it's more even than the first 45. It's the Hornets to lose as Daniel Ajakaiye slots it home on 66 ⚽. Need to keep it tight now. The subs start on 78 as Shamir Fenelon goes off for Jack Mazzone. Danny Ajakaiye is replaced by Hester-Cook. Dougie comes on for Danny Barker and Rodrigues replaced by Price. Need to keep it tight now but the Horsham way is to replace the front line with fresh legs . The U's force Lewis Carey into his first save with about 10 to go. The Lardy Army start to cheer the passes and it must get to about 20 before the ball is given away. The Green and Yellow start to run the clock down heading into the corner as the 5 minutes of injury time are announced. The Lardies sing "Champions of Sussex, we know what we are" while waiting to the whistle to go. It goes eventually and they are Champions of Sussex for the first time in 50 years.

The Hornets were in control for most of the game and come out as well deserved champions of Sussex 🏆. Dougie has another winners medal and wasn't needed for the result. A great game especially the result and a good atmosphere with the 2000+ fans backing the Green and Yellow. The Lardy Army were in good voice, can't be a rendition or 2 of "Start spreading the lard" and something new to us about the evils of "low fat spread". Full marks the Horsham Man painted up in Green and Yellow. Met Howie the Hornet again, it was funny when he stole a kids flag and ran up and down the touchline with it. A good evening with a great bunch of fans and some goals to cheer. The U's fans were very vocal on the way in to the AMEX but have been quiet all game with one or two seen "Sneaking Out" early. Another season is almost done. A game or 2 left for the Women then a summer break.

POTM: The Hornet's left winger Daniel Ajakaiye had a good game and was great to watch his runs with the ball that the U's couldn't cope with. Oh and he got the important 3rd goal to finish the game off. Congrats 🏅.

Officials did a reasonable job and both sides will be equally upset and pleased with the decision making. They let a lot go but the game remained reasonably well tempered. Nice to see both captains the first to get booked and set the standards for others to follow.

The Scran'o'meter loves it here and the Spicy Vegan pie 🥧🌶 gets a yummy 8.5.

See you at Prenton Park South at the weekend.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾