JACK SKINNER scored the decisive spot-kick for Eastbourne Borough as they booked their place in the final of the Sussex Senior Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Peacehaven & Telscombe.
The Sports missed chances in the first half to go in front, but a brave performance from Southern Combination League Peacehaven in the second half saw them push their National League South opponents all the way only to be denied on penalties.
The Sports started on the front foot and should have gone ahead seven minutes in when a sublime pass from Dean Cox played through Greg Luer, but with just the goalkeeper to beat he poked just past the post.
Steven James then came even closer, but saw his downward header from Cox’s corner cleared off the line by Marcus Allen before Connor Morley headed just wide at the other end.
Stephane Bombelenga was then guilty of missing what would be the game’s biggest chance just before the break. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling beat Laurence Sanded to a long ball and slotted it across to Bombelenga, but with the goal gaping he fired over the top from six yards.
Matt Cheeseman and then Josh Marshall had efforts saved by Franco Ravizzoli as Peacehaven started the second half on the front foot, but it was Borough who created the better of the chances as the half wore on.
Kane Wills should have done better after firing straight at Sanded, before Haven spurned the opportunity to win it in added time.
Ian Gayle was judged to have fouled Curtis Ford in the area, but Jake Brocklebank could only drag his shot wide from the penalty spot.
Extra time produced little in terms of goalmouth action as the tie headed towards penalties, where Borough prevailed after sudden death as Cheeseman missed and Skinner scored to win 5-4.
Eastbourne Borough: Ravizzoli, Adebayo-Rowling, Wills, James, Cox (Gbolahan 109), Luer, West, Ferry, Gharbaoui, Bombelenga (Skinner 56), Gayle. Subs: Hanson, Blackmore, Hadler (GK).
Peacehaven: Sanded, Legrange (Bant 98), Morley, Grant, Wiltshire, Allen, Capon (Ford 55), Brocklebank, Lambert, Cheeseman, J. Marshall (Lloyd 85). Subs: Meyers, S. Marshall.
Attendance: 217
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