Thirty years ago Ifield won this cup but there are not many competitions we can say that about whatever number you might start with. That victory was fifteen seasons before I joined the club and I’m not sure if our present membership includes anybody who was involved at the time or who recalls the actual final. I thought I’d take a look at our exploits since 1988 although for a number of seasons it was Ifield’s decision to enter the Reserves in this cup even though almost all of our opponents from Division Three entered their First Teams.
That was the case in 1988/1989 when we won at Cuckfield but went out at Newick. In the following season the front side enjoyed wins at Lewes Rovers and Town Mead but lost (consistently) at Newick. In 1990 the Reserves started at Plumpton, beat Nutley and then Horsham YMCA II. Our good run ended against Haywards Heath Town II. That success was illusory and the following year we went out at the first hurdle to Leftovers Sports Club. Then we found consistency as in 1992/1993 defeat against Ardingly promptly put an end to our ambitions.
Season 1993/1994 was a good one for the Reserves but an enigma in the Mid Sussex Senior Cup. Against Burgess Hill Athletic we recorded our best result with a 6-0 win but visiting Burgess Hill Town II in the next round led to a chastening 8-0 defeat. The next campaign was less spectacular but success against Paymaster was followed by defeat by Crawley Down Village. 1995 saw a first round exit against Horsham II that brought no discredit but next year was no different as Handcross Village eliminated us. A tough clash in 1997/1998 pitted our Reserves against Wealden’s front side in the first round and led to a not unexpected defeat. Later in the season the clubs met again in the semi final of the Sussex Intermediate Cup when our guests won again but by a much narrower margin.
The First Team took over for the next campaign and eliminated East Grinstead Town II and then Balcombe before suffering a sharp reverse at St Francis. In 1999 Felbridge were beaten but Burgess Hill Town II again proved too strong and this fixture re-appeared the following year. It led to a third defeat but the closest result so far. 2001/2002 looked promising as we laid the ghost with a win against Newick but then went out at promotion chasing Forest. Last season started even better with a new record score of 7-0 as we dished Hassocks & Clayton. A top scalp followed as we beat Three Bridges II but it didn’t last as old rivals Hurstpierpoint edged us out. This season the cup draw has given us a chance this afternoon to avenge our three earlier exits at the hands of today’s guests Burgess Hill Town II. Can it be a case of fourth time lucky?