Crowborough make history with cup win

Two goals in five minutes ensured the Crows won the John O'Hara League Challenge Cup at a gloriously sunny Caburn.

Strikes from Craig Bishop and Ross Treleaven saw Harry Smith and Simon Colbran's men overturn an early deficit against opponents Sidley United at Ringmer FC's ground.

Crowborough had gone into the final as favourites but found themselves a goal down after only eight minutes when Chris Honey headed home a right wing cross from Scott McDonald.

Crowborough looked the better side, however, and after Treleaven had been denied by a good save from Peter Newstead, they equalised on 29 minutes through a far post header from the towering Bishop.

Then soon after, a mistake by Dave Henham let in Treleaven who made no mistake with a clinical lob.

Man of the match Treleaven almost put the tie out of sight early in the second half with a dazzling solo run which failed to produce a goal only due to a vital touch round the post by Newstead.

Sidley worked hard to get back on level terms and the closest they came was a spectacular overhead kick from McDonald which was tipped over by goalkeeper Rob Gordon.

A proud joint manager Smith said, "It was a really nice day for us.

"We deserved it in the end. We couldn't kill them off and they wouldn't lie down but I think we deserved it.

"We've won the division three cup a couple of times, and we've also won the division two cup before, but it was the first time we'd been in one of these finals '“ and we celebrated accordingly afterwards! It was a nice experience and hopefully we can now go on to even bigger and better things."

Two goals from striker Ross Treleaven inspired Crowborough Athletic as they came from 2-0 down to beat Redhill 3-2 on a bright and sunny Easter Monday morning at Alderbrook, writes Anthony Scott.

Redhill took the lead on 16 minutes when Danny Baker was adjudged to have pushed Nick Brown in the box, and referee Mark Thompson awarded Redhill a surprise penalty. Captain Mickey Beale strode up to send Rob Gordon the wrong way.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later when a Marcel Dennis through ball found Mickey Beale on the left wing. He cannoned a shot into the far corner to make the scoreline 2-0 at half time.

But it was a definite tale of two halves, as Crowborough were by far the better side in the second period. Wayne Clarke had already gone close when Clarke himself found Craig Bishop from a corner and his towering header found the top corner, helped by a major error by Andy Lazzel.

Then in the 70th minute, Clarke, Steve Davis and Andy Lazzel combined to set up Treleaven who netted his 22nd goal of the campaign.

Phil Rhodes found the net with a header, only for the effort to be disallowed by linesman Andrew Colwell for offside.

But, with minutes remaining, Dave Adams found Clarke, whose driven cross found Treleaven at the far post to complete the comeback of the season.

Joint boss Harry Smith said, "The first half was awful; the worst we've been all season in terms of attitude and commitment, we were inexcusable."

But he added, "I'm delighted with the second half and the three points which have kept us up amongst Whitehawk and Eastbourne Town."

Smith's management partner Simon Colbran added, "I had to have a few words at half time but second half we were a different side and I'm pleased with the attitude."

CROWS: R Gordon; D Crush; P Rhodes; C Bishop; Adams; Clarke; Baker; Chamberlain; Davis (Colbran); Godfrey; Treleaven. ATT: 77.