Roffey Robins Wanderers v Horsham Sparrows, April 1989

Horsham Mini-Minor League Season 1988/89 Cup Final between rival teams Roffey Robins Wanderers and Horsham Sparrows. Final score Roffey Robins 1, Sparrows 4 (after extra time). At Horsham YMCA FC, Gorings Mead, Horsham. Cup final day, April 1989, and after a nervous start, underdogs Roffey Robins take the lead from a Ponsford free-kick (at 13m13s). The reds grow in confidence, Nevins hitting the woodwork with a delightful lob (at 16m16s) while Sparrows spurn chances. O'Leary equalises for Sparrows on the half hour, heading a Pollard assist past Robins' keeper Tunmore (at 30m45s). Sparrows come closest to scoring in the second half (at 50m56s and 1h01m47s) but perhaps the most exciting thing to happen is the kids behind Tunmore's net being asked to move (at 51m18s). Stalemate takes the match to extra time, and a tired Roffey are no longer able to contain the Sparrows, as they net three more times to lift the cup (Pollard twice, but the fourth scorer escapes me). Apologies to the Sparrows boys for a slight Robins bias here; the extra time goals weren't actually captured on tape! Mostly because the cameraman was none other than my dad and Robins co-manager, Roger Ponsford. His larger-than-life managing partner Rob Nevins Sr can be heard prominently in the background! The chap shouting 'Ollie, Ollie! Up the Robins!' could well be the founder of Roffey Robins Football Club - I can't recall now. Roffey Robins Wanderers: GK Simon Tunmore (1); D Ian Smallridge (2); D Stephen Poole (Capt.) (3); D Steve Barrow (4); D Daniel Hill (5); M Matt Simmonds (6); M Rich Ponsford (7); M Ian Lake (8); M Robert Nevins (9); F Craig Rooney (10); F Graham Smallridge (11). Subs: Gary Fullick, Derek Thomas, Paul Bachelor. Horsham Sparrows: GK Johnny Akers (1); D Lee Holtom (2); D Will Chubb (3); D Dominic Moulding (4); D Duncan Meadus (Capt.) (5); M Paul O'Leary (6); M Nick Lord (7); M Richard Bolch (8); M Jonathan Pollard (9); F Unknown (10); F Keith Bowden (11). Dedicated to both sets of players, some of whom went on to play alongside each other for other clubs later in their 'careers'. Nobody made it to the Premier League then? There's still time, boys, there's still time... Great times, great memories. Rich Ponsford (ex-Robin)