Cuckfield Cosmos youngsters complete incredible season

Under 13s Football

Cuckfield Cosmos 4, Seagulls FC 1

33 years ago Peter Cheesmur founded Cuckfield Cosmos Football Club with a small group of players and last Wednesday he joined a large crowd to watch the current U13s win the Sussex Youth League division 3 title. Other results meant that a draw would be enough for Cosmos but still they endured a nervy start at Cuckfield Rec, on the very pitch where those first boys played.

After several half-chances Silvey broke the deadlock in the 25th minute before Clark doubled the lead just before half time with a storming run through the heart of the Seagulls defence and a cool finish for his first of the season.

Seagulls threatened to spoil the party when they struck back in the first minute of the second half with a close range header from an unmarked striker. But Cosmos regained control and after a spell of possession at the back Louis Chasteauneuf released Lee with a wonderful chipped pass which he controlled and fed through for Blake to score with a fine left-footed shot for 3-1. Bilbruck added a 4th five minutes from the end and soon the title was won with two games to spare.

Rottingdean Village 0, Cuckfield Cosmos 6

Cuckfield Cosmos 0, Seagulls FC Blue 0

With a backlog of fixtures caused by bad weather earlier in the year Cosmos had to finish the season with 2 matches in 2 days and several missing players. But they were undaunted and Jack Bilbruck’s 5th minute goal opened the floodgates against Rottingdean on Saturday. He got his second 9 minutes later before 2 from Lee and 1 from Peberdy made it 5-0 by half-time.

Rottingdean re-grouped and coped far better in the second half but by then the game was over as a contest. Towards the end Peberdy grabbed his second and Cuckfield’s 6th.

A day later and Cosmos faced one of the top teams Seagulls Blue in their final game of the season. A large and raucous crowd made for a great atmosphere from the first minute to the last.

The game was exciting and play flowed from end to end but neither side could break the deadlock. The Cosmos defence, as it has so many times this season, stood resolute and the Seagulls’ keeper made fine saves from Blake, Bilbruck and Lee.

The two results mean the Cuckfield under 13s remained unbeaten throughout the league season with a record of 17 wins and 3 draws from 20 matches. They finished 9 points clear of Seagulls Blue and Eastbourne Borough who tied for second place and will now play off for promotion.