Cup Wins

VETERANS

HASTINGS F A VETERANS INVITATION CUP WINNERS 2002-03

After being runners-up on three occasions, the Veterans finally won the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup for the first time since the competition was introduced 25 years ago, with a deserved 4-0 victory over Little Common Veterans in the final at the Pilot Field in October.

**^{Presentation of the Veterans Cup to Mike Beaumont by Hastings F A president Alf Holdstock and competitions secretary John Cornford}**

The road to the final…..

GROUP MATCHES

The side reached the final by comfortably heading their qualifying group. The opening match ended in a 7-0 win over Bexhill United Veterans with four goals from Steve Fuller, two from Martin Tytherleigh and one from Mark Mills. This was followed by a 6-2 success at home against Peche Hill Select Veterans with Martin Tytherleigh getting a hat-trick and one goal each from Steve Fuller, Mike Beaumont and Tony Forster.

THE FINAL

In the final, both teams started slowly but the Veterans gradually took control with Mike Beaumont going close midway through the first half. Pete Gumbrell was forced to leave the field through injury and it was his replacement Bob Baker who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute by firing home from close range. The lead was increased just before the half time when Martin Tytherleigh scored direct from a corner.

The Veterans continued to be the better side after the interval but Little Common looked dangerous on the break with former Gillingham, Hereford United and Doncaster Rovers centre forward, Peter Heritage a constant threat. The game was put beyond doubt when substitute Paul Milton exploited space down the right and found Steve Tytherleigh who finished neatly. Steve Fuller completed the scoring with five minutes remaining when his shot went in off the far post.

The trophy and winners shields were presented by Hastings Football Association president and former Icklesham Casuals player and captain, Alf Holdstock.

Match Programme

**^{The veterans receive their winners shields}**

VETERANS
HASTINGS F A VETERANS INVITATION CUP WINNERS 2002-03
_{Back row (left to right):- Steve Fuller, John Ensell, Phil Hopkinson, Dave Bilsby, Tony Forster, Paul Milton, Martin Tytherleigh.
Front row (left to right):- Pete Gumbrell, Mike Beaumont (captain), Mark Stace, Mark Mills, Steve Tytherleigh, Bob Baker, Michael Hambridge.}

Match Report