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Two for Tolaj as Albion win Sussex Senior Cup

Swiss striker's double and second-half goals by Peupion and Moran seal 4-2 triumph over Worthing.

By Bruce Talbot • 10 May 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion's players celebrate their Sussex Senior Cup triumph.

Lorent Tolaj scored twice and made one of the other goals as Albion came from behind to lift the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time since 2018.

A shock was on the cards at the Amex when Ollie Pearce converted a penalty for the Isthmian League champions but two sumptuous left-foot finishes by the Swiss international turned the final Albion’s way.

Albion put the game to bed with further goals in the second half by Cam Peupion and Andy Moran, who had been teed up by Tolaj. Joel Colbran’s late second cheered Worthing’s vocal contingent of supporters but they finished with ten men after Jasper Pattenden was shown a straight red in stoppage time.

By Paul Hazlewood
The Albion side before the Senior Cup final.

Albion had been first to threaten when Todd Miller’s 10th-minute header from Zac Sturge’s cross hit the bar but it was Worthing who broke the deadlock 14 minutes later. Jack Hinchy pushed Reece Myles-Meekums just inside the box and Pearce sent James Beadle the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Albion responded impressively. Tolaj’s shot was blocked by keeper Harrison Male but the striker equalised on 32 minutes. Ben Jackson Hinchy, Sturge and Tolaj were all involved in a superb move that ended with Tolaj sweeping a left-foot shot past Male.

By Paul Hazlewood
Jack Spong gets Albion moving forward.

It was a fantastic finish by the striker and after Miller again hit the bar with a looping header Tolaj produced another on 40 minutes, outpacing Will Seager before firing a powerful left-foot shot beyond Male. He tore off his shirt in celebration and will probably feel the booking he got was worth it.

Albion stretched their lead in the 59th minute. Skipper Jack Spong unselfishly set up Peupion after Albion had opened Worthing up down the left and his shot beat Male with the aid of a slight deflection off a defender.

Tolaj turned creator five minutes later as Albion got a fourth goal. He broke down the left, found Moran who stepped inside a defender before lifting a left-foot shot over Male.

By Paul Hazlewood
Cam Peupion celebrates after making it 3-1 to Albion.

Jack Hinshelwood came off the bench to play against his dad Adam’s team and Callum Kealy’s header dropped the wrong side of the post before Worthing pulled one back with seven minutes left when defender Colbran reacted quickest after Albion failed to clear a corner to beat James Beadle from close range.

Substitute Benecio Baker-Boaitey had to be stretchered off in stoppage time and there was still time for Worthing's Jasper Pattenden to be shown a red card for bringing down Marcus Ifill. 

Albion: Beadle, Peupion, Furlong, Turns, Jackson, Spong, Miller (Baker-Boaitey 76), Hinchy (sub: Hinshelwood 72), Tolaj (Ifill 86), Moran, Sturge.

Subs: Talley, Chouchane.

Referee: Dan Austin

Attendance: 3025