FOOTBALL: Wick's Murfin targets cup glory

Wick take on Ringmer in the final at Woodside Road (Worthing, 7.30pm) and 40-goal Murfin said: "I always try to better myself and, looking toward next season, I'll try and give it a go at a higher level.

"I'm looking to play Ryman level and see how things go."

Murfin played a game for Worthing in the Ryman League Division 1 South play-off semi-finals two years ago and played a few games at Zamaretto League Gosport Borough earlier this season.

If tonight is to be his last game for Wick, he is hoping to go out with a bang. He said: "Wick is a good club. I've been here three years now and they've been my best three years in senior football. If it is my last game, I want to win something for the club. There's a lot of good people there and it would be nice to win something for them.

"We've not had a bad season – fourth in the league and two cup finals – but it would be nice to win some silverware."

Murfin admits he is touch-and-go for the final with an ankle ligament injury, which he picked up in the 6-1 Sussex RUR Cup final defeat to Peacehaven, and he said: "It's the last game of the season, so I'll give it a go and, hopefully last 90 minutes, as I've got a couple of months off after this."

Wick reached the final with wins over Clymping (4-0), Worthing United (3-1 aet) and Chichester (2-1).

Ringmer, unbeaten in nine games, defeated Southwick (4-3 aet), Peacehaven (2-1 aet) and Shoreham (2-1 aet).

In their last league game of the season on Saturday, Wick won 1-0 at Hailsham to seal a fourth-placed finish in County League Division 1.

George Gaskin got the only goal with 15 minutes left with a left-footed effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Last Wednesday, Wick had suffered their third successive defeat when they lost 2-1 at home to Shoreham.

Shoreham went ahead on 24 minutes. Owen Callaghan was brought down in the penalty area by Neil Murfin and Rob Boddy scored from the spot.

Boddy doubled the lead on 39 minutes when he drilled home from 25 yards.

Shoreham's Dean Smith headed an opening just wide in the second period before Wick clawed a goal back in the last minute when Clinton More lobbed home.

More could have grabbed Wick a point soon afterwards but blazed over.

WICK v Hailsham: Hand; Torode, Wrigley, D.Sharman, Buckland; French, Pearce, Barnard, Gaskin; Huggett, Bassil. Subs: Turner, Killner, S.Murfin.

v Shoreham: Bryant; Torode, N.Murfin, Wrigley, Huggett; Gaskin, Barnard, Pearce, French; Bassil, More. Subs: Turner (French 75), Hand, West, D.Sharman, Price.

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