Much-changed East Preston progress in RUR Cup

Goals from Hayden Hunter and Josh Etherington helped East Preston Football Club seal their spot in the third round of the Sussex RUR Cup.

The strikes came in the opening 20 minutes and ensured EP ran out 2-1 victors in the second-round tie at home to fellow Southern Combination League Division 1 outfit Oakwood on Tuesday.

Having made six changes from Saturday’s 7-1 win at AFC Varndeanians, East Preston manager Bob Paine was delighted with his side’s efforts and said: “I was really pleased with the overall performance considering the changes I made. “It was a good chance for me to give some other players some game time and they came in and performed well.”

Hunter flicked home Connor Bull’s cross to put EP one up inside 12 minutes. Etherington side-footed Jack Barnes’ corner home seven minutes later as the home side went two goals ahead. Alfie Slark reduced the deficit seven minutes after the break but EP held on to book a date with fellow Division 1 outfit Little Common.

EAST PRESTON: Chris Cook; Jacob Bassett, Josh Etherington, Matt Hardman, Jacob Parazo; Ryan Hallett, George Laughlin; Conor Bull, Hayden Hunter, Jack Barnes; Dylan Barnes.
Subs: Dan Huet (Laughlin), Dave Beaney (D. Barnes), Josh Parazo, Charlie Chalaye, Ben Purkis.