The 1st team of Icklesham Casuals lost narrowly 2-1 to Division Two leaders Northiam ’75 last Saturday. Missing a number of regular players, the Casuals went 2-0 down after poor marking at a corner and a good second goal. Val Newman reduced the arrears late in the second half, but once again bad finishing in front of goal cost the team dear.
The 2nd team met Sedlescombe Rangers III at Bexhill Road where both sides were hit by late withdrawals, and could field only eleven players with no substitutes. Sedlescombe started well with long balls into the box causing the Casuals defence early problems and a close range header together with a headed own goal gave them a deserved 2-0.
Icklesham slowly worked their way into the match with Blue Willoughby almost getting a debut goal when his shot hit the bar and Mark Fisher looked confident at left-back. Icklesham attacked in the second half with Dan Russell denied by a number of good saves.
Lee Pierce, who pulled a muscle earlier in the match, stayed on up front and nearly scored with a cross shot. It was Joel Sadler who then stepped up with his first goals for the club – a 25 yard shot into the top corner, and then a header from a Dan Russell corner in the final minute to secure an excellent draw.
The previous week the 1st team put in a very disappointing performance going down 4-0 at home to Little Common III while the 2nd team lost 2-1 to Battle Baptists III with Joe Fraser equalising in the second period before Battle scored a deserved winner in the final minute. Casuals goalkeeper George Upton had a fine match keeping his side in the game.
If there are any local players looking for a club to join please email the club at ickleshamcasualsfc@hotmail.com.