Season 1993-94

57TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1993-94 season was one of the most enjoyable of recent years with the first team finishing runners-up in Division One of the East Sussex League and reaching the semi-finals of the East Sussex Challenge Cup and the veterans losing in the last four of an expanded Hastings F A Veterans Cup. The second team also recorded some notable victories although the side were again let down by inconsistency. No bookings were reported for any team and the 2nd XI finished in sixth place for the League’s Sportsmanship Trophy.

1ST TEAM

Prior to the start of the season, it was felt that the first team squad was one of the strongest for several years and this proved to be the case with promotion back to the Premier Division being achieved. A consistent side was maintained for much of the season and when it was necessary to make changes, players could be brought in without weakening the team.

In the league, Division One was of a fairly high standard, overall probably better than the Premier Division, and the 1st XI had to rely on Willingdon Athletic failing to beat Langley Sports III in their final game of the season to secure the runners-up spot to Rye United II. Several members of the squad travelled over to Eastbourne for the evening match to see Langley come from behind to win 2-1.

There were highlights in cup matches as well where the team defeated Premier Division sides in Bodiam and Polegate en route to the last four of the East Sussex Challenge Cup. In the semi-final, the first team disappointingly lost 4-0 to Westfield, a side they beat twice in the league. The game was not as one-sided as the score suggests with all four goals coming in the last twenty minutes of an evenly contested match where the first goal was always going to be crucial. In the Sussex Intermediate Cup, the 1st team lost in the third round, beaten only 3-2 by eventual semi-finalists Wealden from the Mid Sussex League Premier Division after having two goals rather controversially disallowed for offside.

The first team was well-managed jointly by Bob Baker and Steve Beale. Michael Beaumont was voted Players’ Player of the Year and Christian Kipps, leading scorer with 25 goals, took the Manager’s Player of the Year award. Steve Fuller with 13 goals and Bob Baker with 11 also reached double figures.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/8/1993VikingHomeFriendly0 – 1
21/8/1993Pebsham SibexAwayFriendly4 – 0Tony Forster, Bob Baker, David Mayne, Mike Beaumont
25/8/1993Rock-a-NoreHomeFriendly2 – 1Mike Beaumont, Paul Milton
28/8/1993The Junior Club TacklewayHomeFriendly3 – 1Stuart Homewood, Tony Forster, Martin Tytherleigh
6/9/1993Peche Hill SelectHomeFriendly1 – 2Own Goal
11/9/1993Shinewater AFC IIHomeLeague0 – 2
18/9/1993Langney Sports IIIHomeLeague6 – 0Christian Kipps 4, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
2/10/1993Old Isleworthians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup Preliminary Round3 – 2Bob Baker 2, Christian Kipps
9/10/1993American ExpressHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 2 *Tony Forster, Bob Baker (pen), Christian Kipps, Martin Tytherleigh
16/10/1993BodiamAwayEast Sussex League Challenge Cup 1st Round4 – 3Steve Fuller 2, Christian Kipps, Tony Forster
23/10/1993Willingdon AthleticAwayLeague2 – 0Daryll Young, Martin Tytherleigh
30/10/1993Shinewater AFC IIAwayLeague3 – 2Steve Fuller 3
6/11/1993Army CrusadersHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 3Bob Baker (pen)
13/11/1993WealdenHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 3rd Round2 – 3Bob Baker, Paul Milton
20/11/1993Stamco IIAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 3
27/11/1993Ninfield UnitedHomeLeague2 – 2Mike Beaumont, Christian Kipps
4/12/1993Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague5 – 0Christian Kipps 2, Steve Fuller 2, Iain Curry
11/12/1993SandhurstHomeLeague4 – 2Steve Fuller 2, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
18/12/1993Rye United IIHomeLeague1 – 3Steve Fuller
15/1/1994Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague2 – 1Christian Kipps 2
22/1/1994PolegateHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 3Christian Kipps, Steve Fuller
5/2/1994Langney Sports IIIAwayLeague0 – 0
12/2/1994WestfieldAwayLeague1 – 0Steve Fuller
19/9/1994Ninfield UnitedAwayEast Sussex League Challenge Cup 2nd Round4 – 2Christian Kipps 2, Steve Fuller, Tony Forster
26/2/1994PolegateAwayEast Sussex League Challenge Cup 3rd Round3 – 2Christian Kipps 2, Mike Beaumont
5/3/1994The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague4 – 1Christian Kipps 2 (1 pen), Mike Beaumont, Steve Beale
19/3/1994The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague1 – 0Christian Kipps (pen)
26/3/1994WestfieldHomeEast Sussex League Challenge Cup Semi-Final0 – 4
2/4/1994Willingdon AthleticHomeLeague1 – 2Mike Beaumont
16/4/1994Rye United IIAwayLeague2 – 2Christian Kipps, Bob Baker
27/4/1994Ninfield UnitedAwayLeague0 – 2
30/4/1994SandhurstAwayLeague2 – 1Christian Kipps 2
7/5/1994WestfieldHomeLeague5 – 2Bob Baker 2, Christian Kipps 2, Iain Curry

2ND TEAM

The second team finished just below halfway in Division Eight which could have been significantly higher but for a slow start to the season and a poor finish. Again it was difficult to field a regular side and the team was particularly weakened when the veterans were playing in the A F A Veterans Cup. However, the team failed to take at least a point off only two sides in the division with the highlights being a 1-1 draw with champions Robertsbridge United II where they were indebted to some outstanding saves from goalkeeper Neil Pincombe, a win at Sedlescombe II and the 7-2 defeat of Hellingly Hospital II.

The club’s gratitude was due to Steve Jones for managing the team despite moving to Lewes mid-way through the season. Joe Beardsley won the 2nd XI Players’ Player of the Year trophy with Stephen Crisford taking the Manager’s Player award and Tim Collier the Bert Glazier Cup. Gareth Collier top scored with 15 goals.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
21/8/1993FirehillsHomeFriendly0 – 3
31/8/1993The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeFriendly6 – 2Iain Curry 2, David Mayne 2, Gareth Collier, Own Goal
4/9/1993Claverham IIAwayFriendly1 – 2Keith Swallow
11/9/1993Northiam 75 IIHomeLeague1 – 4Steve Fuller
18/9/1993FirehillsAwayLeague0 – 11
25/9/1993Magham Down IIHomeLeague4 – 1Gareth Collier 2, Daryll Young, Stuart Homewood
2/10/1993Pevensey and Westham IIAwayLeague3 – 3Daryll Young, Stuart Homewood, Jim Taberman
16/10/1993Hellingly Hospital IIHomeLeague7 – 2Gareth Collier 2, Nick Bellhouse, Michael Hambridge, Stephen Crisford, Jim Taberman, Steve Jones
23/10/1993SedlescombeHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 3Gareth Collier 2
30/10/1993Rye United IIIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 3Tim Royle
6/11/1993Broad Oak United Old BoysAwayLeague0 – 6
13/11/1993Robertsbridge United IIAwayLeague1 – 1Gareth Collier
20/11/1993Herstmonceux IIIHomeLeague6 – 0Stephen Crisford 2, Joe Beardsley (pen), Jim Taberman, Mick Booker, Gareth Collier
27/11/1993Mayfield IIAwayLeague2 – 2Gareth Collier, John Dudley
4/12/1993Robertsbridge United IIHome<East Sussex League President’s Cup 1st Round1 – 6Jim Taberman
11/12/1993Pebsham Sibex IIIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round1 – 5Jim Taberman
18/12/1993Northiam 75 IIAwayLeague3 – 1Gareth Collier, Michael Hambridge, Craig Hatch
5/2/1994Sedlescombe IIHomeLeague0 – 4
12/2/1994Mayfield IIHomeLeague0 – 0
19/2/1994Sedlescombe IIAwayLeague2 – 1Gareth Collier (pen), David Hughes
26/2/1994Pebsham Sibex IIIHomeLeague2 – 2Steve Jones 2
5/3/1994Broad Oak United Old BoysHomeLeague1 – 2Gareth Collier
12/3/1994Pevensey and Westham IIHomeLeague3 – 0Stephen Crisford, Gareth Collier, Joe Beardsley
19/3/1994Magham Down IIAwayLeague2 – 4David Hughes, Tim Royle
26/3/1994Hellingly Hospital IIAwayLeague1 – 0Joe Beardsley
2/4/1994Pebsham Sibex IIIAwayLeague2 – 3Gareth Collier, Tim Royle
23/4/1994Herstmonceux IIIAwayLeague0 – 1
2/5/1994FirehillsHomeLeague2 – 3Stephen Crisford, David Hughes
9/5/1994Robertsbridge United IIHomeLeague1 – 5Joe Beardsley

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

VETERANS

This was a successful and enjoyable season for the veterans. Two victories were achieved at home in the A F A Veterans Cup, 3-2 against Sporting Redfern Veterans and 6-1 versus Old Fairlopians Veterans, the previous years semi-finalists. The team then went out 3-1 to Little Heath Sports Veterans at Chadwell Heath in a game that on chances they could have won.

The Hastings F A Veterans Cup was increased to sixteen teams in four sections. In the group matches, victories were gained over Hastings Rangers Veterans and Old Centmodians Veterans, then a 0-0 draw with holders Battle Rangers Veterans saw the side through to the semi-finals where they lost 1-0 to a strong Stamco team, who went on to win the final comfortably, in a match where many observers felt the side deserved to win. Derek French was named as Veterans Player of the Year.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
30/10/1993Sporting Redfern VeteransHomeA F A Veterans Cup Preliminary Round3 – 2Hugh Sullivan, Steve Tytherleigh, Lee Hill
4/12/1993Old Fairlopians VeteransHomeA F A Veterans Cup 1st Round6 – 1Bob Baker 3, Steve Tytherleigh, Andrew Dunlop, Alf Benton
22/1/1994Little Heath Sports VeteransAwayA F A Veterans Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Derek French
15/4/1994Hastings Rangers VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Cup2 – 1Ian Kinnes, Bob Baker
19/4/1994Old Centmodians VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup4 – 0Bob Baker 3, Ian Kinnes
22/4/1994Battle Rangers VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup0 – 0
29/4/1994Stamco VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Cup Semi-Final0 – 1

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

SEASON AWARDS

ICKLESHAM CASUALS SIX-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

Icklesham Recreation Ground – Saturday, 17th July 1993

The Six-a-Side Tournament took place alongside the fete on a sunny afternoon on the 17th July with twelve teams competing.

Both Icklesham Casuals sides finished in third place in their groups therefore failing to qualify for the semi-finals. An exciting final was contested between Hillcrest and Crowhurst with Hillcrest coming out on top with a 3-2 victory.

There was an unfortunate incident when Phil Clarke of the Robin Hood suffered a broke leg when going for a fifty-fifty ball. Phil also played a few games for the Casuals at the end of the 1991-92 season.

GENERAL MATTERS

Off the field, again much effort was put into raising money for the pitch improvements which it was hoped would now go ahead during the next season. More fundraising events were lined up for the coming few months with Martin Tytherleigh doing much of the hard work on this front. Negotiations had taken place with Stamco about hiring the pitch at Pannel Lane in Pett for the 1994-95 season while the work at Icklesham Recreation Ground was carried out.

The Annual General Meeting was held in the pavilion at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Friday, 24th June 1994 at 8 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS