The veterans of Icklesham Casuals played a most enjoyable competitive but friendly game against Sedlescombe Rangers Veterans under floodlights at the Pilot Field, home of Hastings United, on Monday evening.
Sedlescombe started the game better but it was Sacha Patterson who put Icklesham ahead mid-way through the first half when his long-range effort slipped through the grasp of Sedlescombe keeper Julian Buss and into the net. Patterson doubled the lead before the interval when his shot from the left edge of the area found the roof of the net, giving Buss no chance. There was still time for Micky O’Callaghan to force Icklesham goalkeeper Roy McInnes into a tremendous flying save when his shot looked destined for the top corner.
At the start of the second half Sedlescombe put Icklesham under considerable pressure and McInnes produced an even better save to deny Sedlescombe forward Wayne Jeffery and keep the two-goal lead intact. It was Martin Tytherleigh who made the game safe when his cross shot looped over Buss and into the net. The final scoreline of 3-0 was not a true reflection of the game and the effort put in by Sedlescombe.
The match was used to raise both funds for, and awareness of, the project to build new changing facilities at the recreation ground in Icklesham. A successful evening added the tremendous sum of £400 to the amount raised to date. Icklesham Casuals would like to thank everyone who came along to watch the game and a massive thank you to Sedlescombe Rangers for their support and generosity.
The Icklesham Casuals team was – Roy McInnes, Mark Stace, Tony Wallis, Wayne Partridge, Stuart Adams, Steve Tytherleigh, Nigel Sellman, Michael Beaumont, Sacha Patterson, Martin Tytherleigh, Robert Palmer. Substitutes – David Mayne, Andy Vickers, Bob Baker.
The 1st team took on the 2nds in a friendly on Saturday April 18 with the 1st XI edging a close game 6-5. Scorers for the 1sts included Sean Baker (2), Jon Fitton, Martin Tytherleigh and Nick Gooch with Joe Fraser (from 50 yards!), Dan Russell, Sam Garner, Aiden Head and Mason Maddox (pen) replying for the 2nd team.
A big thank you and well done to Stuart Pearson who used his initiative to raise £140 for the new pavilion project from the match.
Photos: David Mayne