Albion Reserves began the defence of the Sussex Senior Cup with a comprehensive 9-0 victory over County League Sidley United in the second round last night.

The Seagulls produced a sublime performance full of pace, movement, skill and sharpness which simply overwhelmed the division one side.

The heavy surface failed to deter the Seagulls, who stroked the ball around with confidence on their way to opening up a five-goal lead within the opening half an hour through Maheta Molango (2), Jake Robinson (2) and Dean Hammond.

They continued to dominate after the break and, despite opening up such a commanding cushion, did not allow sloppiness to creep into their game.

Molango netted a second-half hat-trick to take his tally for the evening to five and Robinson completed his own hat-trick against a Sidley side that fought to the last in front of a bumper crowd of 510.