FIRST TEAM MATCH REPORT

BLUES THROUGH TO SEMI FINAL

RUSTINGTON Football Club are through to the last four of the Division 2 Cup, although they made hard work of beating lowly Southwick on Saturday. Blues, with the strong wind behind them in the first half, led 3-0 at half-time.

Goals from Andy Boxall, James Butt and Lee Gibbs appeared to have ended the game as a contest.

But Southwick had other ideas. They brought on Tony Timms in midfield and pulled a goal back three minutes into the second period.

Chris Bowyer's cross was adjudged to have hit Blues defender Gav Hammond's hand and a penalty was awarded. Wayne Joseph fired the spot-kick high past Rustington keeper Andy McCarthy to make the score 3-1.

A minute later, Tony Timms had a fizzing 18-yarder brilliantly turned behind for a corner by McCarthy.

On 53 minutes, Rustington had penalty appeals of their own but referee Alan Stringer adjudged Bowyer had not handled Boxall's cross.

Southwick continued to pressurise Rustington and went close through Paul Elliott, twice, and substitute Jordan Saunders, before Sam Blundell made it 3-2 with four minutes left.

Wickers had one last chance to send the tie into extra-time but Elliott's low drive was saved by McCarthy with a minute to go.

Rustington boss Gareth Davies said: "We're through which is the main thing.

"We just didn't come out in the second half and Southwick worked hard and showed a lot of heart, which we lacked today."

Southwick's Roger Feest said: "We didn't defend well in the first half and could have done better with a couple of the goals.

"But after the second half performance, we were probably a little bit unfortuate not to get more from the game."

"We've just got to get a solid base at the back now, because with the players we have, we always have goals in us."