County Cup success for Golds’ youth side

Golds’ senior side lifted the County League title last month and the youngsters continued the trophy success with victory over Hassocks at Shoreham’s Middle Road ground.

The final proved to be an emotional one as it was the last time Golds’ youth side will play together.

Littlehampton youth boss Mark Spence and assistant Ade Potts had coached five of the side from the age of seven at Highdown Saints. Gary Hamilton, who is also on the coaching team, had managed a number of the side since the age of seven at Rustington Park Youth.

Spence felt that the cup success was the ideal way for him to go out as boss of the side.

He said: “It was a really emotional day for all involved with the side.

“The group has been together for a number of years and now the players will go their separate ways.

“We finished third in the County Youth League West Division, which was a bit of a disappointment for us, and we wanted to win something in our final year as a side.

“Fortunately, we reached the final of the County League Youth Cup and we won it.

“It would have been a disaster if we had lost but we didn’t and lifted the trophy.

“We are going to be at the same presentation night as the senior side, so it will be nice to go there knowing we have won something as well.”

Littlehampton went ahead on 20 minutes when Thomas Hamilton’s through ball found Rob Hutchings and he fired home. Hutchings nearly doubled his side’s lead a minute after half-time but his shot went just over the bar.

Harry Potts almost put Golds further ahead on 60 minutes but his shot was adjudged to have not crossed the line.

Golds keeper David Ormiston pulled off a fine stop late on to deny Hassocks a leveller as Golds’ youth side held on to lift the trophy.

LITTLEHAMPTON: Ormiston; Spence, Mustow, Hamilton, Hodder; Varza, Potts, Stevens, Kenny; Stone, Hutchings. Subs: Amoo (Varza), Leggett (Stone), Helly, Groves, Ball.