It was a good day for Icklesham Casuals last Saturday with the 1st team making it three league wins out of four and the 2nd XI gaining their first victory of the season.
The 1st team won a tight game away to Crowhurst 4-2. Both sides had chances early on with Charlie Cornford and Liam Sayer going close for Icklesham, while Jason Soan in the Casuals goal made a couple of good saves to prevent Crowhurst taking the lead. It was Cornford who opened the scoring on 32 minutes, with a smart finish past the advancing Crowhurst keeper following Dave Pugh’s through ball. The score remained 1-0 at half-time.
Sayer doubled the lead in the 51st minute with a neat turn and shot, following a scramble in the area but Crowhurst hit back almost immediately to reduce the arrears, with an excellent shot from the edge of the area. Substitute Sam Norman restored the two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute with virtually his first touch, when he chested the ball down and finished with his left foot after good work from Danny Noakes set up the chance.
Crowhurst ensured a nervy finish when a speculative cross in the 81st minute found its way into the net, before Sayer made the points safe after being put through by Shane Fox.
The 2nd team defeated Battle Baptists III 6-3 in the first round of Cooper’s Construction Challenge Cup. They took an early lead through Lee Pierce but Battle soon levelled, thanks to a deflected Adam Thompsett shot with Thompsett putting them ahead shortly before half time.
Battle went 3-1 up early in the second half through Elliot Waller, but this seemed to give the Casuals a new lease of life and Phil Badrock netted four times, with Ed White scoring the other goal on his Icklesham debut.
This Saturday both teams have tough league matches, with the 1st team at home to Punnetts Town, who have maximum points so far, while the 2nd team are away to Sovereign Saints II.
Image Credits: Icklesham Casuals FC .