Cup Wins
2ND TEAM
HASTINGS F A LOWER DIVISIONS CUP WINNERS 1997-98
The second team, under the management of Michael Hambridge, assisted by Keith Swallow won the Hastings and District Football Association Lower Divisions Cup for only the second time in the clubs history and the first time for forty years. In fact it was forty years to the exact day, 22nd April 1958, since the only other success in the competition.
The final was a memorable occasion at the Pilot Field in April when the side came from 3-1 down at half time to record a 4-3 victory against Old Centmodians II with the winning goal from Sacha Patterson coming just three minutes from time.
The road to the final…..
1ST ROUND
The road to the final began in late October with a 3-2 away victory over fellow Division Six side, Little Common III in the first round. Icklesham were without regular goalkeeper at the time, Matt Hogan so forward Robin Frith drew the short straw to go in goal. In a tight contest goals from Jamie Walker, Richard Payne and Sacha Patterson saw the team through to the next round.
2ND ROUND
The second round in January saw an exciting match with Ninfield United II, a scheduled home draw, the game was played at Harrow Lane. The side recovered after being 3-1 behind well into the second half to win 4-3, the winning goal being scored with almost the last kick of the match. Adam Bourne, playing only his second game for the club, netted a hat-trick with Sacha Patterson getting the other goal.
3RD ROUND
The quarter-final was a comfortable 5-1 win against Division Six strugglers Battle Rangers II at Icklesham Recreation Ground in February thanks to another Adam Bourne hat-trick and a goal each from Tom Herrieven and Jamie Deroe. It was Stephen Crisford’s turn this time to deputise in goal.
SEMI-FINAL
The team was again drawn at home in the semi-final in March to Blacklands, a side from a division higher, with Icklesham starting as underdogs and expecting a very tough match. As it turned out, the match ended in a similar impressive and comfortable 5-1 score line with two goals from Mark Taylor and one each from Adam Bourne, Sacha Patterson and Grant Murray.
FINAL
The final was against Old Centmodians II, who finished the season as runners-up in Division Five of the East Sussex League, a division above the 2nd XI and was played under floodlights at the Pilot Field in front of a good crowd on Wednesday, 22nd April with a 7.30 p m kick-off. The team were without Adam Bourne, who was unluckily injured in a league game at Punnetts Town eleven days before the final, so Steve Beale came into the side to replace him.
The second team found themselves a goal down after just two minutes and only good work from goalkeeper Sean Taberer prevented Old Centmodians from increasing their advantage. In one of the Casuals few attacks in the first half, a fine run by Sacha Patterson in which he beat three defenders, ended with him planting the ball inside the far post to equalise. Old Centmodians responded and continued to be the better side and scored two further goals to take a deserved 3-1 half-time lead.
The introduction of David Mayne and Paul Milton for the second half gave the team new purpose and immediately after the restart Sacha Patterson pulled a goal back. The improvement was maintained and a goal from Mark Taylor from close range brought the scores level.
Sean Taberer then suffered a nasty cut to his head but after quite lengthy treatment, he was able to continue in goal. With the match looking to be heading into extra-time, Tom Herrieven’s perfectly weighted through ball was calmly converted by Sacha Patterson to complete his hat-trick and give Icklesham victory.
The Lower Divisions Cup was presented to captain Troy Whyborne by the chairman of the Hastings and District Football Association, Peter Huggins.
Match Programme
Celebrating the victory…..
| 2ND TEAM HASTINGS AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LOWER DIVISIONS CUP WINNERS 1997-98 Back row (left to right):- Keith Swallow (assistant manager), David Mayne, Sacha Patterson, Gary Osborn, Jamie Walker, Jamie Deroe, Duane Daltrey, Mark Taylor, Steve Beale. Front row (left to right):- Michael Hambridge (manager), Danny Juniper, Troy Whyborne (captain), Grant Murray, Paul Milton, Tom Herrieven. Front:- Adam Bourne. |
Match Report
