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| Saturday 18 January 2003 East Court FC 5 Ansty Sports and Social 0 A HAT-TRICK from top scorer Billy Denyer helped East Court to a place in the Mid Sussex Football League Malins Cup semi final after they beat Ansty Sports and Social at Imberhorne on Saturday (January 18). The home side grabbed an early lead after a threaded pass from Ross Kelly found Denyer and he slotted his shot past the oncoming keeper. After falling behind Ansty passed the ball around very well but failed to get past the East Court defence of Andrew Wright, player-manager Daniel Medcalf, Nick Palmer and Martyn Bishop. The home side went further ahead when James Salter beat the offside trap after a pass from Denyer and rounded the keeper before tapping home. Despite protests from the Ansty players the referee allowed the goal to stand. Ansty almost pulled one back but captain Simon Nickols did enough to put off the attacker who shot over the bar. Kelly came close to adding to East Court's tally but his diving header was well saved by the Ansty keeper. East Court scored an all important third on the stroke of half-time. A cross from the left from Kelly looked to be heading out of play but Salter wrapped his foot around the ball to keep it in. The ball went back across goal where Denyer made no mistake with his diving header. Ansty tried to come forward but were unable to find a way through. And it was East Court who scored again when the Ansty keeper dropped a corner from Denyer and Kelly smashed the ball home from six yards. James Nickols came on to make his debut after Martyn Bishop went off injured and did extremely well. Dave Nolan came on for Salter who caused the Ansty defence no end of problems. Carl Buckler also had an excellent match making endless runs up and down the left wing. Wright was booked for a late challenge but the resulting free kick was cleared by Medcalf. Ansty then had a good opportunity to pull one back but the shot was weak and easily saved by keeper Paul Bishop. East Court added a fifth when a ball was laid off to Mark Nolan. His skimming shot from 20 yards was pushed on to the post by the keeper and Denyer followed up to complete his hat-trick and net his 17th goal of the season. Victory for East Court over opponents a division higher in the Mid Sussex League means they will meet Chailey for a place in the final. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, C.Buckler, M.Bishop (J.Nickols), D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, J.Salter (D.Nolan), M.Nolan. Unused Sub: C.Whiting |