DELIGHTED coach Nick Greenwood toasted his Sussex's title-winning performance which completed a vintage year for the county.

Greenwood paid tribute to the commitment of the players after this victory sealed the South West Counties Championship at Lancing.

The coach, drenched in champagne, said: "It's fine reward for all of the boys that have been involved with the side this season. They've put a lot of effort into the competition and their commitment has been first class.

"Players have come into the side and shown the same desire to win as if they were turning out for their club. In fact, there's been a club-type spirit to the team this season and that has probably seen us through to eventual victory in the championship."

Sussex should have had the game wrapped up by the interval. A Matt Russell opener and a Ben Austin header put the hosts into a 2-0 half-time lead, but they missed countless chances to command a bigger advantage.

Daren Pearce had a penalty saved midway through the second period and moments later Devon pulled one back to set up an exciting final 20 minutes.

Russell, who has hit 53 goals this season, admits Sussex made hard work of it and cursed his bad luck in front of goal. The 22-year-old Horsham YMCA marksman said: "Their keeper made a couple of brilliant saves and I could have had a hat-trick, but I can't be too despondent.

"We've done well to go through the season without losing a game. The squad is made up of a good bunch of lads. We get on well and the winning helps us enjoy it all the more."

The university student will be leaving Horsham YMCA during the summer after two seasons with John Suter. Russell has two years left at Chichester University, so is likely to remain in non-league for a couple of more seasons.

Bognor boss Jack Pearce is leading the chase for his signature, but Worthing's Sammy Donnelly and Crawley's Billy Smith have also expressed a keen interest. Russell trained with Charlton over Easter and this summer will be continue to build his physical strength.

He said: "That's my main priority. I need to put on more weight and become much stronger. Holding the ball up is a main feature of my game and that has come on leaps and bounds this season.

"It's been a terrific year for me. John Suter has been a great help at Horsham YMCA, but he knew all along this would be my last with him. I need to step up a level to allow me to develop."

He was clearly the class act of the day. His running off the ball was electrifying, held the ball well and caused all sorts of problems running at the Devon defenders. Ironically his main feature, scoring goals, was a bit rusty.

However, he got on the scoresheet after three minutes, breaking away from a flat-footed Devon defence before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Brian Cann.

On three further occasions, Cann showed brilliant reflexes to thwart the striker and deny Sussex a bigger cushion. But Eastbourne Town defender Austin doubled the tally with a diving header in a melee 14 minutes before the interval.

The 23-year-old, who picked up his first senior winners' medal, said: "It wasn't one of the prettiest goals, but they all count. The 2-0 cushion proved vital. In the second half it was a bit of a battle, but fortunately we've held on for a deserved win.

"Nick has been an excellent coach. He's very professional and the lads have a lot of respect for him. I'm just pleased to have been apart of the set-up."

For a 20-minute spell in the second half Devon dominated and Redhill goalkeeper Ian Chatfield made a couple of saves. Pearce's penalty miss and Adam Stansfield's goal for Devon could have proved disastrous for Sussex.

The defence tightened its grip and in the final stages the visitors rarely threatened.

Greenwood, who has already won the Sussex League division one championship with Langney Sports, admitted: "We've got some experience in the side with the likes of Tony Burt, Matt Smart and Pearce. I think they saw us through at the end."

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