The veterans of Icklesham Casuals retained the Hastings FA Veterans Cup with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Little Common Veterans.
Icklesham began the game well and went ahead in the 12th minute when Little Common keeper Kevin Pratt spilled Gavin Moor's shot and, after a scramble in the area, Mark Taylor toe-poked the ball into the net.
Little Common gradually got on top, but good goalkeeping from Casuals keeper Roy McInnes, some solid defending, and a long range shot striking the crossbar meant Icklesham went in at the interval with their lead intact.
The second half saw Little Common pile on the pressure, creating a number of chances with McInnes in the Icklesham goal continuing to be in inspired form, although the Casuals forward line of Sacha Patterson and Karl Tarrant were always dangerous on the break.
The constant pressure finally told with eight minutes remaining when Duncan Jones left foot shot found the bottom corner of net.
With extra time looking on the cards, it was Icklesham who struck back four minutes later when Pete Gumbrell won the ball in midfield before driving forward and playing Patterson on the left, who superbly lobbed past keeper Pratt for the winner.
It was a battling all round team performance from Icklesham against a strong Little Common side that saw captain Mike Beaumont lift the trophy, with goalkeeper McInnes awarded the man of the match.
Photos By David Mayne
