It was not a good weekend for Icklesham Casuals with the 1st team bowing out of the Sussex Junior Cup at the quarter-final stage going down 3-1 to Montpelier Villa II, after making the long trip to Falmer to take on their opponents at the University of Sussex. The side experienced defeat for the first time since the opening Saturday of the season while the 2nd team lost in the quarter final of the Cooper’s Construction Challenge Cup.
It was not one of the 1st XI’s best performances – they never really got going and were second best all day. It was a disappointing way to go out of the competition but credit must go to their opposition.
After going 1-0 down the Casuals equalised through a penalty from Charlie Cornford to be level at half-time but did not create a great deal in the second period, conceding two goals. The side can still be proud as this equals the furthest the club has progressed in the Sussex Junior Cup since winning the competition over 50 years ago.
The 2nd team always had a tough challenge against Division Four leaders Orington. They started well and went a goal up through Stewart Marshall and were drawing 1-1 at the interval but a disastrous second half saw them concede 10 goals to lose 11-1 and end their seven game unbeaten run in some style.