Icklesham, who were missing a number of key players, suffered both a disappointing performance and result against Northiam, losing heavily 7-2.
Northiam took the lead in the second minute, but the Casuals were level within another minute through Phil Badrock’s far post finish. A defensive mix up on 24 minutes allowed Northiam to regain the lead, which they increased at 35 minutes.
Northiam went further ahead early in the second half, before a Steffan Davies cross was deflected into the net to reduce the arrears. Icklesham pushed for further goals, but it was Northiam who found the net on three more occasions.
There was an interesting incident towards the end of the first half, when a Northiam forward was flagged offside but with the ball in the keeper’s hands, the referee played on. Thinking a free-kick had been awarded, the ball was innocently handled in the area, giving the referee no option but to award a penalty. Icklesham Casuals would like to commend the sportmanship of Northiam over the incident, who passed the ball back to the keeper from the penalty spot.
This Saturday March 11, Icklesham’s second team entertains Magham Down in the semi final of the Hastings FA Lower Divisions Cup.
This season, the club is celebrating its 80th anniversary and to mark this achievement it has set a target of raising £5,000, to be divided between the Alzheimer’s Society and the Motor Neurone Disease Association, both causes being very close to the club, which in the past lost three former players to motor neurone disease, one of whom was just 42 years old.
The main fundraising event is an ambitious golf challenge, when members of the club will attempt to play 80 holes in five different countries in under 40 hours. This will be taking place in June when the players will be teeing-off on the 1st hole at around 6am at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel and Country Club in Bearsted in Kent, with the final putt being sunk in Germany, having also played in France, Belgium and Holland. The players are all covering their own expenses to take part in the challenge.
To date the sum of £510 (£576.25 including gift aid) has been raised towards the target, with further funds promised. The club is looking for sponsorship for all 80 holes from both local businesses or individuals so if you would like to be a hole sponsor please email the club at ickleshamcasualsfc@hotmail.com. Alternatively donations in support of the challenge can be made through the Virgin Money Giving page – http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/IckleshamCasualsFootballClub.
Photo: David Mayne