RUSTINGTON REACH FIRST COUNTY FINAL

If ever there was the proverbial game of two halves then this was surely the catalyst for the oldest football clich in town. Uckfield were by all intents and purposes the only team in this fiercely fought semi-final for the first 45 minutes, but Rustington came out a completely different team in the second half to dominate in every department.

The game nearly got off to a flyer for Rustington, when after only two minutes Mike Hatch had the opportunity to gain early advantage, but with too much time to contemplate he scuffed his effort well wide.

It was Uckfield who took the lead when Ross Sawyer volleyed home from a Craig Brown free kick on 14 minutes.

Craig Cox had an opportunity to level proceedings on 17 minutes but his effort was well saved by Uckfield's outstanding keeper Graham Leach.

Whatever Rustington manager Gareth Davies said to his men at half-time certainly worked, as his team came out fired up and seemed to up the tempo in a way that left Uckfield chasing shadows.

Within four minutes of the restart a back-post cross by Duffy was well met by Kevin Clayton to put Rustington back on level terms.

Duffy then appeared to be pulled down in the box on 51 minutes but referee Martin Smith waved play on, to the despair of the Rustington faithful.

Duffy fired home what proved to be the winner on 62 minutes when he cooly converted after fantastic work from sub Andy Smart.

A second penalty call was turned down on 69 minutes when Duffy, it seemed, was impeded just as he was about to get his shot off.

With Uckfield pushing hard for the goal to force extra-time, the excellent Russ Tomlinson seemed to have a "No Entry" sign tattooed on his shirt. He completely held his nerve and calmly stopped any attempt on goal by the desperate Town.

Mr Smith then seemed to have lost track of time as he allowed an incredible nine minutes of injury time that had the Rustington supporters asking whether he had swallowed his whistle.

However when he finally summoned up the wind to blow his silver tool it was Rustington who took their place in the final.

RUSTINGTON: Greives; Duffy, Tomlinson, Blackall, Hellen; Oakes, Challen, Clayton, Withers; Hatch, Cox. Subs: Smart (Hatch 60), Rowland (Clayton 75), Hooker (Blackall 80), Zerban.

On Saturday, Rustington reached the semi-final of the Sussex Intermediate Cup with an impressive win against Lewes Reserves and there they will face Uckfield again.

The young Lewes side started with confidence and it took Rustington a while to settle. However, it was Rustington who went closest to taking the lead in the first half when Hatch cut across the keeper but shot wide.

Rustington started the second half the stronger and Hatch was brought down in the penalty area early in the second half. From the spot-kick Terry Withers struck the ball home.

Craig Cox went close to adding a second, before he bravely slid the ball in.

RUSTINGTON: Greives; Duffy, Hellen, Blackall, Clayton, Withers; Challen, Oakes, Morten; Cox, Hatch. Subs: Hooker (Blackall 67), Rowland (Withers 74), Zerban (Morten 81).