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| Saturday 08 March 2003 Chailey 2 East Court FC 4 A HAT-TRICK from Ross Kelly helped East Court FC secure a place in the final of the Mid Sussex Football League Malins Cup after beating Chailey on Saturday (March 8). It also signalled the end of Chailey's unbeaten record in all competitions this season and East Court thoroughly deserved the victory. As expected, Chailey made the early running but they failed to create any clear cut chances and it was the away side who grabbed the lead. East Court cleared a corner and the ball fell to Martyn Bishop in midfield. His pass found Andrew Wright who laid the ball off to captain Simon Nickols and he chipped he ball through for Billy Denyer to chase. Denyer was upended in the penalty area and the resulting spot kick was sloted home by Kelly. The away side doubled their league when a quick free kick by Martyn Bishop was laid off to player-manager Daniel Medcalf, who found Denyer, and his low cross into the six-yard box was fired home by Kelly. Chailey hit the bar with a free-kick while James Salter went close for the visitors. Wright also volleyed wide after good work from Martyn Bishop. Meanwhile, the tackles flew in thick and fast and a number of East Court players were victims of some wild Chailey challenges. The swirling wind played its part in both of Chailey's goals, which came five minutes before half-time. Two attempted crosses caught in the breeze, and much to the disbelief of keeper Paul Bishop, ended up in the back of the East Court net. But despite letting a two-goal lead slip for the second week running East Court came out for the second half and important tackles from Nick Palmer, Medcalf and James Nickols let Chailey know they would not have things their way. Carl Buckler worked tiredlessly on the left, while on the right, Wright's pace caused Chailey all sorts of problems. East Court when back in front after Denyer was body-checked in the area and Kelly stepped up to fire the penalty home and complete his hat-trick. Just minutes later Denyer's free kick was inadvertantly turned into his own net by a Chailey player. As time ran out Chailey became more frustrated and a player was shown the yellow card after kicking the ball away. A second player was then booked after a cynical challenge on Medcalf. But East Court remained in control and fully deserve their place in the final against Wisdom Sports III at Burgess Hill Football Club on Wednesday, April 2. Team: P.Bishop, A.Wright, C.Buckler, J.Nickols, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, S.Nickols, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, J.Salter, M.Bishop |