The fixture comes four days after Worthing travelled to Oxford City for the semi final of the Vanamara National League South at the Raw Charging Stadium:
Two first half goals from Zac McEachran and Alfie Potter earned Oxford a 2-0 win to progress to the final at home to St Albans City, and put and domestic end to an emphatic first season in the sixth tier for Worthing.
Meanwhile, Bognor Regis Town concluded their Isthmian League Premier campaign almost three weeks ago, winning 2-0 at home to Folkestone Invicta to finish 14th in the division.
Recent History
Worthing are most successful team in the Sussex Senior Cup, having won the competition on 21 occasions, first in 1893 and most recently in 1999.
The Reds’ last outing in the final of the competition was in May last year, after they finished the season promoted to the Vanamara National South campaign as champions of the Isthmian Premier League:
However, the under 23 side of Brighton and Hove Albion prevented Worthing from achieving a league and cup double, running out 4-2 victors.
Worthing also reached the Sussex Senior Cup final in the conclusion of the 2015/16 season, a game which, like last season, rounded off a promotion-winning campaign as playoff-victors of the Isthmian League Division One South:
Unfortunately, Worthing were unable to finish the season with two trophies, narrowly losing 1-0 to National League South side Eastbourne Borough.
Road to the final
Worthing
Having entered the competition in the second round, Worthing were rewarded a bye straight into the third after Lewes forfeited the fixture due to substantial amounts of injuries.
The Reds were then drawn to make the short trip to Lancing, where they ran out comfortable 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Callum Kealy, Reece Meekums and a brace from Ollie Pearce to take them to the quarter final against Crowborough Athletic at Woodside Road:
The Southern Combination Premier League side caused Worthing a brief scare going 2-0 up, but Ibby Akanbi replied with four goals, along with strikes from Joel Colbran and Pearce to eventually cruise to a comfortable 6-2 win, to return to Culver Road for the semi final against Hastings United:
Sam Adams converted a penalty in the 42nd minute to put the U’s 1-0 up, but Javan Splatt equalised in injury time of the first half to make it 1-1.
The scoreline would remain the same after full time, with a penalty shootout deciding the the finalists.
Harrison Male was the hero for the Reds, saving three spot-kicks to send Worthing to the Amex for a second consecutive season after winning 5-4 on penalties.
Bognor Regis Town
Bognor Regis Town entered the competition in the second round, progressing in to the third curtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Haywards Heath Town.
They then shocked league-above Eastbourne Borough in the next stage, brushing them aside 6-2.
The quarter final saw the Rocks score six yet again – beating Bexhill 6-1 to face Worthing’s opponents last year – Brighton and Hove Albion under-23s:
The scoreline finished a goal apiece after 90 minutes, with the Rocks winning 5-4 on penalties to set up this evening’s tie.
Recent meetings
The last time the two sides met competitively was in the quarter final of last season’s Senior Cup at Nyewood Lane:
Goals from Will Seager and Pearce gave Worthing a 2-0 victory to see them progress to the last four, less than a month after the Reds’ 3-1 league victory over the Rocks in the league – their first at Nyewood since 1999.
Team News
Harrison Male is a doubt for the Reds going into the cup final. The keeper missed Sunday’s Play-Off Semi-Final through injury and remains doubtful for tonight’s fixture.
Alieu Secka, who replaced Male on Sunday, is cup-tied after playing for Lancing against the Rebels in the competition. Meaning that Will Tillman might make his first-team debut for the Reds at the Amex.
There are no new injury concerns for the Rebels.
Supporter information
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via Sussex FA’s website.
The ticket office at the American Express Community Stadium will be open on the day of the final, for the sale of tickets up until half-time (approx. 8:15pm). Tickets purchased from the ticket office at the stadium on the day will be priced at £15 Adult, £7 Under-18 / 65+, plus a £1.50 per ticket booking fee.
General admission at the stadium will open at 6:00pm with both sets of fans seated in the West Stand Lower. Worthing fans will occupy the areas W1F to W1I and Bognor Regis Town fans S1I to W1D. Seating will be allocated in both sections.
Please be aware that the American Express Community Stadium is a cashless venue, so card payments only.
The Amex Stadium has been designed to meet the needs of all its visitors. There is level access into all areas of the stadium. There are lifts to all areas of the Amex including Dick’s Bar, Seven Stars Sports Bar, all lounges and conferencing facilities.
Plenty of food and drink is available throughout the ground as well as toilet facilities in all sections. The food and drink on offer includes a variety of pies including vegetarian options and every month or so a different guest pie will be available.
The Amex is one of the few grounds that serves proper Ale with Harveys being available as well as Guinness along with Lager.
Travel
By Road
If driving, at the end of the M23, continue onto the A23, heading towards Brighton. At the roundabout which is the junction with the A27, take the A27 towards Lewes. After around four miles you will see the stadium on your right hand side. Leave at the A27 and take the slip road sign posted Falmer (B2123).
At the top of the slip road turn right crossing back over the A27 and the entrance to the stadium is down on the right.
Parking
Parking is priced at £5 with limited spaces available to purchase in advance via the Brighton & Hove Albion ticket website.
By Train
The quickest and easiest way to get to the stadium is by train, situated right by the stadium the nearest station is Falmer, three stops from Brighton central station on the line to Lewes and Seaford.
Usually there are four trains an hour in either direction, we would advise leaving plenty of time to make the 7:15pm kick off. You can see all the latest train times and plan your journey via www.nationalrail.co.uk.
How to Follow
The game will be available to stream on the Sussex County FA YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@SussexCountyFA
Alternatively you can follow the action via the club’s official Twitter account, or through live commentary provided by rebelyell.live
