The match was played at Sussex County FA headquarters in Lancing on a superb surface that allowed both sides to play decent football. Late withdrawals had meant that a re-shuffle saw Skipper Connor Smith drop to centre-half.
Worcestershire suffered an early setback against previously high-scoring and unbeaten Sussex. A speculative through ball beat the visiting defence to allow Harley Button to somehow evade the offside trap to slot the ball home with less than a minute played.
Worcestershire’s response couldn’t have been better; they took control of the game with some slick passing and possession. Wingmen Adam Ward and Harry Osborne were a constant threat throughout the game. It was the extra width that made the difference, with the normally reliable home defence being tested on numerous occasions from balls in from those wide positions.
The hosts had become strangely subdued given their early strike and were intent on counter-attacks to a lone front man. One of their forays however, did result in a goal-line clearance after a looping header from Matt Daniel. It was no surprise when Worcestershire drew level in the 23rd minute. A right-wing cross from Ward appeared to be going safe but the referee had spotted an infringement on James Schembri by Josh Phillips off the ball in the penalty-area. Ward calmly slotted the resultant spot-kick into the space vacated by the diving home goalkeeper.
Jack Lodge was providing combative assurance in centre-midfield and his pairing with Oliver Butler was proving to be a good one. Indeed, it was a 26th minute effort that was followed up by Lodge that allowed the ball to run free to the unmarked Ward to fire home into an empty net from 6 yards.
Sussex, who are normally a free-scoring unit, had to rely largely on speculative efforts from distance in response to the visitors more fluid passing game. A long range effort from Max Miller flew over the bar. A downward header from Phillips was spooned over the Worcestershire crossbar in the 39th minute but that was the only thing that troubled the well marshaled visiting defence. Harry Osborne, who was later awarded his County cap on his tenth and arguably best appearance in the green shirt, fired a low shot against the Sussex upright just before half-time.
The second period saw an early substitution by Sussex in an attempt to freshen things up. Full-back Ozga was replaced by attacking midfielder Seb Saunders as the hosts began brightly after the break.
A jinking run by Saunders in the 54th minute led to a free-kick from just outside the penalty area being driven into the side netting by Ryan Fergany. Sussex were certainly pressing in the final third as the game began to be more stretched. It was turning out to be a fine advert for football at this level as both teams charged forward.
The Worcestershire wide players were still causing problems when the visitors increased their lead in the 67th minute. Good interplay between the lively Chris Smith and Ward sparked a shot from the former which could only be parried into the path of Schembri who tapped in from close-range to increase Worcestershire’s lead.
Sussex reacted by throwing caution to the wind as wave after wave of attacks rained in on the Worcestershire goal. For all their attacking intent the home side just needed a little more clarity in their play in the final third. Button was the pick of the Sussex players as the South Downs side pressed for a way back into the match. It was a left wing cross from Button that reduced the arrears in the 76th minute. The ball came in low and with Josh Smith unsure if he should come to meet the cross, Matt Daniel nipped in at the near post to neatly deflect the ball past him.
Sussex laid siege to the Worcester goal for the remainder of the match without producing anything to trouble the well marshaled Worcestershire defence. Smith and the outstanding Chris Neilson withstood wave after wave of home pressure as the game became more frenetic. With the hosts charging forward came the chance of the counter-attack. It was just such an attack that finally put paid to any hopes of a home revival. Substitute Sean Cooke raced on to a through ball and his fresh legs proved a decisive factor as he calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Crutwell in the home goal to make it 4-2 in the 90th minute.
Both teams can be rightly proud of their efforts. Worcestershire for their collective effort and response to an early setback and Sussex for their efforts to get back into the match in the second period. Our very gracious hosts conceded that Worcestershire deserved their win and we now look forward to the Quarter-Finals in January.
Worcestershire FA
1. Joshua Smith; 2. Ben Hayes; 3. Dominic Wheeler; 4. Christopher Neilson; 5. Connor Smith (Captain); 6. Jack Lodge; 7. Adam Ward; 8. Oliver Butler; 9. Chris Smith; 10. James Schembri (12. Jack Cullity 70 mins); 11. Harry Osborne (14. Sean Cooke 74mins) Subs.(not used ) Res GK. George Savva.
Goals: Adam Ward pen.23, 26
James Schembri 67
Sean Cooke 90