IT WAS the result all of Sussex needed as Worthing United returned to the field following the tragic loss of two players.

Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt were two of the eleven people who lost their lives in the Shoreham Airshow disaster a fortnight ago.

A minute’s applause before kick-off was impeccably observed as players from both teams stood side-by-side in the centre circle – and the young men’s families watched as their team won a 2-1 victory over East Preston.

The families of Jacob Schilt and Matthew Grimstone were among the record crowd at the Robert Albon Memorial Ground, which sold out for the first time in its history.

The Grimstone family said: “There will never be words to express our grief at losing Matthew so young and tragically.

“It is so comforting to know that in this troubled world there are a lot of good people out there shining brightly.”

Jacob Schilt’s family also thanked the football community and said: “Jacob lived for football and loved playing for Worthing United.

“He was very proud to be part of the league and cup-winning squad last season.

“He would be so happy to be remembered as a footballer. We will always support Worthing United in his memory.”

East Preston’s travelling supporters held aloft a banner with the words “RIP Matt and Jacob” emblazoned on it on an evening where emotions ran high.

Manager Nigel Geary praised his players’ courage in the face of adversity after an emotion-fuelled 2-1 victory.

He said: “This place is normally a ghost town and now we have stewards, programme sellers, burger vans – it’s almost like a Premier League game.

“But everyone was here today for the two boys. It’s as simple as that.

“They weren’t here to watch us. They weren’t here for the football. They were here to pay their respects to the two lads.

“I almost broke down in the changing rooms before the game talking to the boys. I couldn’t get through the minute’s applause so I don’t know how the players did.

“I didn’t need a team-talk. I could’ve just sent them out there.

“I spoke to the families about 10 minutes before kick off and it’s the worst thing I could’ve done because it cracked me up, but I told the players I’d spoken to them and they just wanted one thing and that was to win that game. We’ve done that.

“When you’re on a football pitch, you forget everything else around you, and fair play to the players, I can’t praise them highly enough.

“To react to the heartache of them scoring in the last minute – it was written in the stars I think by two people looking down on us.”

Captain Jack Hayward, who scored the first goal, admitted it was a difficult build up to the game but his players did not need any motivation to pull on the shirt.

He said: “It’s been really tough for the whole team, the club and the community but everyone has come together and the boys are buzzing to get the win for Jacob and Grimbles.

“You look in the changing rooms and they had their certain spots, and they’re not there.

“We just all pulled together, we’ll always think about them and it’s nice to dedicate that victory to them.

“When you’re playing, you’re in the zone. You don’t take in how many people are watching you.

“I’m just really happy we’ve won for the boys.

“Everyone was fired up and motivated. Everyone was up for it.

“We always play for each other anyway.”

Top scorer Sam Blundell added: “It’s a great end to a horrible week for everyone but it’s a great result and at the last minute – it was just meant to happen, I think.

“It’s been really hard the last two weeks with those two boys gone. Everyone has stuck together.

“We wanted to go out there and win for the boys and give them a good performance – so I hope we did.”

In the 1,000-strong crowd were Brighton and Hove Albion’s women, who travelled straight from their victory over Queen's Park Rangers.

Seagulls keeper David Stockdale was also at the ground and admitted his team-mates continued to be “very down” following the tragic loss of both footballers.

He said: “The squad was very down after the accident happened, even more so when news filtered through about Matt, who was part of the groundstaff at our training ground in Lancing, and Jacob, another Albion fan and member of the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund team which played Crystal Palace earlier this year.

“The thoughts of all the players and coaching staff continue to be with the families and friends of everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Albion’s Lewis Dunk also paid tribute to the pair having played with both over five years at Varndean school clinching the Brighton and Hove Schools Division One, Brighton and Hove Schools Cup and County Cup treble in Year 9.

He said: “In this upsetting and distressing time it has been great to see the whole of Sussex rallying together to support those who have been affected by the tragedy.”

The matchday programme was rammed with tributes for the Worthing United stars, including chief executive of Sussex County FA Ken Benham, FA chairman Greg Dyke and team-mates.