The weather had really taken a turn towards the warmth of summer this week and having finished a long day working down in Bournemouth I drove back via Billingshurst in West Sussex, to see the West Sussex Football League Tony Kopp cup final between Ashington Rovers and Billingshurst FC.

The Rod Gaskin Ltd Stadium, at Jubilee Fields in Billingshurst has been Billingshurst FC’s home since 2006. The ground boasts a metal covered stand with seating for 100, as well as modern floodlighting and a grass pitch. The large clubhouse behind the ground serves the cricket club too.

Billingshurst FC (thirds) have had a decent season under manager Jez Clee. They came into today’s game having finished second in the Divison 2 North League table just a place behind today’s opponents. The Hurst, as they are known, would have wanted to spoil a perfect season for Ashington Rovers by securing silverware today. Goals have come this season from Charlie Munday (21 goals), Alex Hughes (10 goals) and Toby House (9 goals).

Ashington Rovers have enjoyed one of the great seasons in their history, winning the title with a 100% record, They will have wanted to secure the double tonight and could rely on goals as they have flowed this season with 44 goals coming in just 18 games. Top scorers have been Marley Manville (22 goals), Thomas Charlwood (15 goals), Jamie Simpson and Joe Simpkin (both 10 goals).

Within two minutes of the start Ashington Rovers were a goal ahead when their number 11 fired home from close range.

With twenty three minutes on the clock top scorer Marley Manville broke free to make it 2-0 to Ashington Rovers, with a fine solo finish.

With a minute to go in the first half Marley Manville made it 3-0 with his second of the game. The goal meant the sides went in separated by three goals, at the break.

Within three minutes of the restart Billingshurst’s Nick Tilley pulled the score back to 3-1 with a headed finish at the far post to raise hopes.

These hopes were dashed when on 54 minutes Ashington Rovers’ Tom Charlwood slammed the ball home from close range to make the score 4-1.

In the 67th minute Ashington Rovers were 5-1 ahead with a well taken goal from a corner.

With ten minutes left on the clock history repeated itself when yet another Ashington Rovers’ corner resulted in a close range headed finish to make it 6-1.

With a minute of added time gone it was 6-2 when Luca Reed added Billingshurst’s second goal stabbing home after a corner, although it felt merely a consolation so late in the game.

A minute later it was 6-3 with Nick Tilley heading home after a long free kick, which came so late in the game it surprised even my filming! As the fulltime whistle blew it was Ashington Rovers who secured the win to add the Tony Kopp cup to their unbeaten league record.

There was a decent crowd of what looked to be over 200, which meant the atmosphere was worthy of a cup final on what was an entertaining evening, at a welcoming ground.