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All the latest East Sussex Football League news posted here!

League Vacancy
9th June 2008

The League are wishing to recruit a Registration Secretary for the new season if anyone feels they can give a few hours to support us please contact any officer.

First Aid 2008/2009
16th May 2008

NHS Save-A-Life Classes


The following free classes are being run between now and December.

Eastbourne & Wealden

Hailsham Health Centre 29th May 6.30-8.30pm
Eastbourne Association of Voluntary Services 25th June 6.45-8.45pm
Heathfield Community Centre 3rd July 6.45-8.
East Sussex Football League
45pm
Hailsham Health Centre 17th July 6.30-8.30pm
Hailsham Health Centre 23rd October 6.30-8.30pm
Heathfield Community Centre 2nd December 6.45-8.45pm


Hastings & Rother

Bexhill Health Centre 4th June 2.00-4.00pm
Sidley Community Centre 16th June 7.00-9.00pm
Claverham Community College 24th June 7.00-9.00pm
Robsack Community Centre 16th July 7.00-9.00pm
Sidley Community Centre 15th Sept 7.00-9.00pm
Claverham Community College 29th Sept 7.00-9.00pm
Rye Sports Centre 13th October 7.30-9.30pm
Ore Community Centre 28th October 6.30-8.30pm
Claverham Community College 17th Nov 7.00-9.00pm
Robsack Community Centre 18th Nov 7.00-9.00pm
Sidley Community Centre 24th Nov 7.00-9.00pm


These courses are co-ordinated by ECG Ltd in conjunction with the NHS. League officials cannot book you on these courses but application forms can be obtained from Daniel Eldridge, please email him on danieleldridge11@btinternet.com for further information. If you attend one of these courses please remember to ask for a certificate so you can forward a copy to the league.

Saturday 3rd May
4th May 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May 2008

Sedlescombe clinched a top two finish in Division One after beating Athletico 5-3 thanks to a Luke Shand hat-trick and solo goals from Luke Davies and Danny Hill with Christian Puttock (2) and Joey Pout replying for Athletico. Sedlescombe need a single point from the last game on Monday to pip Athletico to the title.

Division Two’s last games saw Peasmarsh beat Northiam 2-0 with two Liam Sayer strikes whilst Tom Frere-Smith netted the Battle Baptists goals as they were beaten 3-1 at Herstmonceux.

Nick Sheppard and Ken Wadbrook scored the Battle Rangers goals in a 2-1 defeat of Eastbourne Fishermen in the final Division Three match

Division Five’s midweek match saw Travaux win 8-0 at Mountfield with goals from Michael Taylor (2) Dan Hilder (2) Natham Wickens, Stuart Bottini, J.J. Blanche and Dexter Gilbert whilst on Saturday Mountfield again went down 5-7 to Peche Hill with Kevin Gilbert (2) Jason Barrow, Joe Howells and Jack Craddock netting for United and Darragh Buick (3) Asher Grindle (2) Ricki Colosi and Jake Keep scoring for Select.

Division Six ended with two Chris White goals for Magham Down as won 2-1 against Sandhurst whose scorer was Steve Marshall.

Sportsmanship Marks
2nd May 2008

Victoria Baptists 8.48%
Hastings Rangers 8.35%
Ninfield Utd 11 8.29%
Herstmonceux 11 8.28%
Northiam 11 8.25%
Burwash 8.23%
J C Tackleway 8.20%
Wadhurst Utd 11 8.18%

Congratulations to all. 42 teams finished with an average mark of 7.50% or more.

Robertsbridge Finals
30th April 2008

Both Finals have been re-arranged 8th/14th May see Fixtures.

Saturday 26th April
27th April 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Monday 21st to Saturday 26th April 2008

Bexhill AAC won their third Cup Final in eight days on Monday when defeating Sedlescombe 4-1 to win the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup with goals from Wayne Jackson, Ian Oliver, Lee Roberts and Aaron Cochrane with James Doswell grabbing Sedlescombe’s late reply. They then won a midweek Division One game 4-0 at Sandhurst thanks to Oliver Leigh, Jamie Broocks, Michael Hughes and an own goal. Their run ended on Saturday when AAC lost 2-0 at Mountfield to strikes from Jonathan Novis and Ed Crowhurst. Little Common had Mike Shaw, Shaun Lewis and Josh Clifford on target as they beat Sedlescombe 3-0 whilst Sean Baker (2) Phil Badrock and Val Gonzalvez netted for Icklesham as they won 4-3 against Hollington whose scorers were Geoff Walton (2) and Tony Chantler.

The final Premier Division game of the season saw Sean Baldwin (2) Mark Chandler, Steve Cresswell and Clem Carter score for Tackleway as they beat Bodiam 5-0.

Division Two saw Paul Cottrell score the winner for White Knight as they won 1-0 at Peasmarsh whilst Ian Rafiti and Gary Walsh put Battle Baptists two up by half time at Magham Down who fought back to draw 2-2 with an Alan Pope penalty and an own goal.

Ibrahim Aqqad (2) and Stuart Elkins put Wadhurst into runners-up spot in Division Three on Wednesday as their goals defeated Robertsbridge 3-1 with Tom Ripley replying but they let automatic promotion slip away on Saturday by losing 2-1 at Hawkhurst to Ben Marshall and Johan Mulert goals with Nick Holland netting for Wadhurst. Robertsbridge claimed promotion by beating Battle Rangers 5-1 thanks to Adam Hardy (2) Jethro Warren, Shane Friend and Wayne Mewett and also scored an own goal for Rangers.

Cinque Ports completed their Division Four title winning season with a midweek 5-0 win at St Helens with Luke Nisbet (3) and Rhys Warren (2) netting but Saints recovered on Saturday to beat Burwash 6-0 with goals from Nick Parkinson (2) Gary Coomber, Paul Brooker, Ben Hines and a Steve Arne Barbe rocket own goal.

Travaux won the Hastings Print Challenge Cup Final 1-0 on Thursday with Michael Taylor running through to fire home the winner in the last ten minutes against Mountfield. In midweek Division Five games, Dale Parris scored both Westfield goals as they won 2-1 against Orington whose scorer was Steve McGowan whilst Adam Hewitt (2) and Zak MacKay goals gave Wadhurst a 3-2 victory against Heathfield Hotspurs whose goals came from Richard Spooner and an own goal. On Saturday, Wilton claimed the title by drawing 3-3 with runners-up Icklesham with Zak Dangerfield (2) and Matt Simmons scoring for Wilton and Alfie Weller, Nick Bellhouse and George McEwan responding for Casuals. Tony Barnett (3) Lewis Baker and Darren Hutchinson scored the Tackleway goals as they beat Northiam 5-0 whilst Steve McGowan (2) Scott Brunton (2) Carl Longbottom, John Rich-Spice and John Ellis all scored for Orington as they won 7-4 at Mountfield whom had Matt Tidmarsh (2) Joe Howells and Steve Fortsch on target. Rob Dale (2) and Glenn Cooper goals gave Peche Hill a 3-2 victory at Heathfield Hotspurs with Alex Burton and Steve Gilbert replying whilst goals from Liam Martin, Joe Harmer, Luke Johnson and James Willett for Hastings Rangers were equalled by J.J. Blanche (2) Lewis Colvin and Dan Hilder for Travaux as they drew 4-4.

Nelson Tigers completed their Division Six campaign with a 6-2 win at Magham Down with Kenny Pogue (2) Tony Rhodes (2) Callum Loft and Martin Rhodes netting and Magham replying through Aaron Wright and a Karl Chapman penalty.

Hawkhurst Charity Cup Final
26th April 2008

Bodiam will play Rolvenden on Monday May 5th at Hawkhurst United F.C. 11am.

Hastings Printing Cup Final
25th April 2008

Travaux edged a tight and tense affair last night winning by the only goal. On behalf of the Management Committee I would like to thank both teams for their sportsmanship particularly after the final whistle.

Eastbourne F.A Junior Cup Final Result
24th April 2008

Athletico 3-1 Chelsea Academicals

Blacklands Challenge Cup Final
22nd April 2008

Report on match played Monday 21st April 2008

Bexhill AAC won their third Cup Final in eight days at The Saffrons last night when defeating Sedlescombe 4-1 to win the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup. After squandering early chances, Wayne Jackson put them ahead on 25 minutes and their lead was doubled thirteen minutes later when Ian Oliver put away the rebound after Lee Roberts shot had been parried. Sedlescombe tried valiantly after the break to get back into the match but were caught by two late goals when Lee Roberts curled home a third and then Aaron Cochrane rounded the keeper to slot home a fourth. They did gain a consolation with three minutes remaining when James Doswell shot home following a mazy run into the Bexhill penalty area from their substitute.

Saturday 19th April
20th April 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Monday 14th to Saturday 19th April 2008

Adam Wilson’s late strike gave Bexhill AAC a 1-0 victory to win the Super Stitch Challenge Cup against Sedlescombe on Monday evening. Midweek league fixtures saw Michael Booth and Steve Kentell both score twice in Division Six as Sedlescombe won 4-3 at Battle Baptists whose scorers were Joe O’Neill, Toby Blackman and Rob Usherwood and Sedlescombe’s first team recovered from their cup loss to beat Icklesham 6-0 thanks to Luke Davies (4) Wes Irving and Kevin Clifford. Two goals each from Joe Mulert and Casey Ham plus one from Leon Greenwood gave Hawkhurst a 5-2 win in Division Three against Robertsbridge for whom Wayne Mewett scored both goals. In Division Four, Tom Fullager and Ben Woodland goals for Cranbrook could not prevent St Helens running out 11-2 victors with Wayne Wilkinson netting seven times and Nick Wilson, Adam Parkinson, Paul Mandry and Steve Winchester also on target. Jacob Archer netted the winner in Division Five for Westfield as they won 1-0 at Mountfield whilst Tom Felstead’s strike gave Tackleway a 1-0 victory against Heathfield Hotspurs. Dan Hilder, J.J. Bianche and Michael Taylor goals saw Travaux 3-1 winners against Peche Hill whose scorer was Nick Hall.

On Saturday, Craig Hayler’s single strike gave St Leonards Social a 1-0 win against Bodiam in the Premier Division whilst both Bexhill AAC and Sedlescombe won 3-1 in Division One with Wayne Jackson (2) and Michael Hughes netting for AAC in their win at Icklesham who replied with a Sam Richardson 30 yard strike whilst James Doswell (2) and Luke Davies scored the Sedlescombe goals in their win at Sandhurst whose reply came from James Chambers.
Catsfield secured the runners-up spot in Division Two with a 5-1 victory against White Knight thanks to Ashley Jamieson (3) Tony Atkin and Nick Griffin with Alan Hayes netting for Knights whilst Magham Down beat Northiam 5-0 with goals from Alan Pope (3) Neil Finch and Byron Thomas.
A Joe Reeves hat-trick helped Benbow clinch the Division Three title with a 5-2 win at Wadhurst with Lee Gurr and Liam McLaughlin grabbing their other goals and Ibrahim Aqqad (2) replying for Wadhurst. A penalty from Jethro Warren plus goals from Adam Hardy and Michael Stone for Robertsbridge were equalled by Carl Pearce (2) and Dave Remmer for Pebsham Sibex as they drew 3-3.
Four goals from Adam Parkinson plus two from Wayne Wilkinson gave St Helens a 6-0 victory against Punnetts Town in Division Four whilst Gavin Moffat-Bailey (2) James Ballard, Adrian and Dan Bone all scored for Cinque Ports as they won 5-1 against Cranbrook whose scorer was Tom Fullager.
In Division Five, two Scott Oliver strikes gave Ninfield a 2-0 win at Wadhurst whilst Steve McGowan netted five times in Orington’s 7-3 defeat of Heathfield Hotspurs with their other goals coming from Jonathan Rich-Spice and a Gary Offord own goal with Mike Jones (2) and Richard Spooner replying for Spurs. Mark Cruttenden and Terry Smith struck for Tackleway as they beat Westfield 2-0 whilst Edd Allen and Sam Gardner scored for Peche Hill and Northiam respectively as they drew 1-1. Dan Hilder (2) J.J. Bianche (2) and Michael Taylor scored the Travaux goals as they beat Icklesham 5-0 whilst Mountfield and Wilton drew 4-4 with Terry Cowan, Ben Weekes, Steve Fortsch and Tom Tidmarsh netting for United and Matt Simmons (2) Zak Dangerfield and Paul Ripley replying for Wilton.
A hat-trick from Kale Williams plus a Kevin Rhodes goal secured a 4-2 Division Six win for Nelson Tigers against Sedlescombe whom replied through Gary Underhill and a Ben Sales penalty.

Saturday 12th April
13th April 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th April 2008

The Division One promotion race continues with Bexhill AAC coming back from 3-1 down to win 5-3 on Tuesday against Icklesham with goals from Aaron Cochrane (2) Wes Tate (2) and Adam Wilson with Jack Richardson (2) and Phil Badrock replying for Casuals. Sedlescombe had Danny Hill and Matt Noonan on target as they won 2-1 on Wednesday at Ticehurst whose scorer was Ben Warlow. Bexhill won again on Thursday, 3-0 at Hastings Rangers thanks to Lee Roberts, Ian Oliver and Oliver Leigh. St Leonards Social won 4-0 at Rock-a-Nore in the Premier Division with goals from Ben Watson (2) Gerard Moyse and a Sam Rimmer penalty whilst in Division Three Robertsbridge and Benbow drew 1-1 with Wayne Mewett and John Walker scoring respectively. Ben Proctor scored the winner for Peche Hill in Division Five as they beat Orington 1-0 whilst Mountfield and Icklesham drew 3-3 with Steve Fortsch (2) and Matt Tidmarsh netting for United whilst Nick Bellhouse, Martin Goldfinch and Alfie Weller replied for Casuals.

Premier Division champions Hollington completed their season on Saturday with a 4-2 defeat of St Leonards with goals from Phil Till (2) Danny Woodley and Nathan Harding with Craig Hayler and Paul Wilson replying for Saints whilst Peche Hill beat Bodiam 2-0 thanks to Rob Dale and Tim Bigg.
Division One leaders Athletico had Joey Pout on target but were defeated 3-1 at Ticehurst by Richard Thompson (2) and Ben Turk goals whilst Sedlescombe beat Mountfield 3-1 with goals from Luke Davies (2) and Neil Smith with Ed Crowhurst replying for United. Shane Ryan (2) Jamie Lindsey (2) and Christian Bevis (penalty) netted for Crowhurst as they won 5-3 at Icklesham whose scorers were Phil Badrock, Michael Beaumont and Chris Baker.
In Division Two, Anthony Swift scored the only goal as White Knight won 1-0 at Wheatsheaf whilst Catsfield won 5-4 at Magham Down thanks to Ashley Jamieson (3) Charles Morgan and Nick Whicker with Martin Wilmshurst, Darren Warner, James Plater and Alan Pope netting for Magham Down. Danny Colbourne (2) Andy Cronin and Glen Lawrence scored the Herstmonceux goals as they beat Peasmarsh 4-0 whilst Battle Baptists beat Hastings Rangers 7-0 in the other game.
The top four teams in Division Three all won, leaders Benbow had Rikki Matthews (3) Rhys Hodges and Joe Reeves on target as they won 5-0 against Battle Rangers whilst Adam Hardy (2) Matt Hardy and Ian Austin scored the Robertsbridge goals as they defeated Eastbourne Fishermen 4-2 with Vince Rembridge and James Stephanou grabbing the Fishermens goals. Clark Cham netted a consolation goal for Beulah Baptists as they were thumped 10-1 at Wadhurst whose goals came from Ibrahim Aqqad (3) George Pocock (2) Nick Holland (2) Stewart Yeoman, John Penny and an own goal. Hawkhurst defeated Pebsham Sibex 4-1 with Leon Greenwood, Barry Livesey, Bob Wiggins and Sam Beeney scoring for Hawks and Lee Smart replying for Sibex.
First half strikes from Barney Alderson and Colin Eade gave Burwash a 2-1 victory at Cranbrook in Division Four with Jack Campbell scoring late on for Town whilst Hurst defeated St Helens 4-3 thanks to a Jason Morley hat-trick and Jack Hutchinson goal with Wayne Wilkinson, Adam Parkinson and Gavin Naismith netting for Saints.
Icklesham clinched promotion from Division Five with a 5-1 win at Northiam thanks to Nigel Sellman, George McEwan, Jimmy McGachy, Alfie Weller and an own goal with Ben Andrews replying for Northiam whilst a Tony Barnett hat-trick and an own goal saw Tackleway win 4-1 against Wilton whose scorer was Jack Smalley. Two Liam Martin strikes for Hastings Rangers could not prevent Ninfield winning 5-2 with goals from Dan Kildea (2) and an Oliver “hat-trick” – one each from Shane, Scott and Kevin whilst Michael Taylor (2) and Dan Hilder goals gave Travaux a 3-1 victory against Heathfield Hotspurs for whom Gregg Morris replied. Chris Clements (2) Carl Longbottom (2) John Rich-Spice and Scott Brunton all scored for Orington in a 6-3 defeat on Peche Hill whose scorers were Duncan Sangster, Ricky Colosi and Jake Keep whilst goals from Stuart Newble, Matt Tidmarsh and Steve Fortsch were cancelled out by Zak McKay, Adam Hewitt and Lee Maggs as Mountfield and Wadhurst drew 3-3.
Division Six champions Nelson Tigers dropped their first points of the season in a 0-0 draw at Sandhurst whilst Luke Davis (2) and Mark Hymans scored the White Knight goals as they won 3-1 against Sedlescom

Perry Weedon
9th April 2008

ST LEONARDS Social Football Club has been left “devastated” by the tragic death of one of its players.

Perry Weedon, 34, passed away on Thursday, last week, following a very sudden illness which became progressively worse.

Social chairman Charles Amstad said: “He was a young, fit, vibrant, linchpin of the team who will be sadly missed by all his colleagues.

“He was extremely hard working and professional about what he did. He loved the game and loved playing for the team. He bonded with all the players immediately.”

Midfielder Weedon joined St Leonards midway through last season and quickly established himself as a friend to everybody connected with the East Sussex League Premier Division outfit.

On the pitch, he was instrumental in the club’s remarkable run of form towards the end of the 2006-07 campaign and was an integral part of the team during the first half of the current term.

But he started to experience headaches and vomiting as a result of his brain swelling before suffering a stroke. Despite being tested for a range of diseases, the problem couldn’t be pinpointed.

Weedon moved to Bexhill from the Beckenham area of South London a couple of years ago and began playing for Sussex County League Division One team Sidley United.

Sidley defender Owen Ball, who also worked with Weedon at Phase Electrical, commented: “He was the life and soul, such a nice guy. You can’t say a bad word about him.

“He always had a smile on his face and, if you were having a bad day, he would come in and cheer you up.”

Social have already had warm-up tops produced bearing Weedon’s name and they intend to bring out a number 73 shirt (1973 being the year of his birth) also featuring his name.

The club, which plays its home games at Tilekiln, hopes to draw lots each year with the winner wearing the shirt in the match closest to the date of his final appearance which was January 5.

Sidley held a minute’s silence with the players linking arms prior to their match at home to Shoreham on Saturday.

Kevin Bray, honorary secretary of the East Sussex League, added: “We’re saddened by the news.”

Weedon leaves behind girlfriend Jo, plus daughters, Mollie, 10, and Maisie-Jo, 20 months.

Saturday 5th April
6th April 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th April 2008

In midweek games, St Leonards Social had Craig Hayler (2) and Ben Watson on target as they won 3-1 at Tackleway in the Premier Division with Sean Baldwin replying whilst Dave Horne and Martyn Reynolds put Crowhurst two up against Sedlescombe in Division One but a late comeback saw Sedlescombe win 3-2 thanks to Luke Shand (2) and Will Fowers. In Division Five, Icklesham beat Northiam 8-0 with Alfie Weller (3) Jimmy McGachy, Nigel Sellman, Tim Hambridge, Nick Bellhouse and George McEwan all netting whilst Mountfield won 3-0 against Ninfield with Matt Tidmarsh, Terry Cowan and Joe Howells strikes. Travaux defeated Orington 3-1 with goals from Lewis Colvin, Tom Harrison and Darren Nicol with Ben Crouch replying for Orington.

The Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup semi-final on Thursday night went all the way to penalties after Hollington and Bexhill AAC drew 2-2. Luke Woodley put United ahead on 74 minutes only for Oliver Leigh to head an equaliser with only two minutes remaining and force extra-time. Hollington again went ahead through a Danny Woodley deflected effort but Lee Roberts lobbed a second equaliser then Mark Carey in the Bexhill goal saved two Hollington penalties to win the shoot-out 4-3. Bexhill will face Sedlescombe in the final on 21st April at Eastbourne Town.

On Saturday, Craig Hayler (3) Gerard Moyse and Chris Scott scored to give St Leonards Social a 5-2 Premier Division victory at Peche Hill with Jamies Hollands and Nathan Weaver replying whilst Hollington beat Rock-a-Nore 3-0 thanks to Luke Woodley (2) and Phil Till.

Athletico maintained their five point lead in Division One after winning 3-1 at Mountfield with strikes from Paul Veiga, Scott Vidler and Joey Pout with Jonathan Novis replying for United whilst Hollington remain in second place after Will Cullen (2) and Paul Jones goals gave them a 3-2 win at Sedlescombe whose scorers were Luke Davies and Wes Irving. Crowhurst beat Little Common 4-1 thanks to a Shane Ryan hat-trick plus a Zeph Daniel goal whilst Bexhill crashed to a 4-2 defeat by Hastings Rangers with Dan Banfield (2) Karl Angell and Jason Boseley netting for Rangers, Jamie Broocks and Wayne Jackson replied for AAC. Greg Palmer (2) Steve Pugh (2) Michael Beaumont, Kristian Fitz-Hugh, Phil Badrock, Martin Tytherleigh and goalkeeper Jamie DeRoe were all on target for Icklesham as they won 9-1 at Sandhurst whose reply came from Conrad Woodgate whilst Ian Rise and Wayne Stone netted for Ninfield and Ticehurst respectively as they drew 1-1.

In Division Two, Alex Sarkies and Liam Sayer scored the Peasmarsh goals in a 2-1 defeat of Catsfield whose scorer was Richard Devine whilst an Anthony Swift hat-trick plus goals from Dan Chapman, Tom Haddon and Stefan Holdsworth gave White Knight a 6-2 win at Herstmonceux for whom John Brettany and Danny Colbourne netted. Two Tom Frere-Smith goals for Battle Baptists were equalled by Kenny Deal and Jack Cooper for Northiam as the teams drew 2-2.

Leon Greenwood struck the winner for Hawkhurst in Division Three as they beat Battle Rangers 1-0 whilst John Penny (3) Nick Holland (2) Ibrahim Aqqad (2) Will Farnfield and George Pocock all scored for Wadhurst as they beat Eastbourne Dynamos 9-0. Robertsbridge condemned Tackleway to relegation after beating them 4-0 with goals from Adam Hardy (2) Wayne Mewett and Jethro Warren.

Wayne Wilkinson struck an amazing TEN goals for St Helens as they won their Division Four match at Bexhill AAC 12-0 with Joe Dove and Paul Brooker grabbing the other two goals whilst Cranbrook defeated Punnetts Town 3-0 thanks to Tom Fullager, Matt Gilliland and Dan Moakes. Cinque Ports clinched the Division title with a 5-0 defeat of Burwash with goals from Tim Doe, James Corbett, Rhys Warren, Luke Nisbet and John Bicknell.

Two Luke Towner goals in Division Five gave Hastings Rangers a 2-1 win against Peche Hill for whom Glen Cooper replied whilst Heathfield Hotspurs beat Westfield 2-0 with goals from Mike Jones and Richard Spooner. Jamie Forbes (2) Tony Barnett (2) Lewis Baker and a Glenn Podmore penalty gave Tackleway a 6-2 victory at Mountfield whose scorers were Terry Cowan and an own goal whilst a single strike from Dan Stephens saw Orington beat Ninfield 1-0. Alfie Weller (2) and Jimmy McGachy scored for Icklesham as they defeated Wadhurst 3-1 with Adam Hewitt replying for United.

Nelson Tigers clinched promotion with a 4-0 defeat of Beulah Baptists with a Tony Rhodes hat-trick and one from Kale Williams, they need one more point to be Division Six champions. A Michael Booth strike gave Sedlescombe a 1-0 victory over Hastings Elite and one more victory will secure a promotion place for Sedlescombe.

Bexhill upset Champions
4th April 2008

Bexhill Athletic Club came from behind twice last night in the second Semi Final of the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup to win a penalty shoot out 4-3. This was the second incredible tie after Sedlescombe overcame St Leonards last week. The Final will be a repeat of the Super Stitch Tie just 7 days earlier.

Saturday 29th March
30th March 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th March 2008

The first semi-final of the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup took place at Sidley on Thursday night and what a see-saw game it was. Sedlescombe started strongly and went one up after three minutes, a lead they could have added to before half time. They scored again early in the second half and when they went three up after 55 minutes with goals from James Doswell, Luke Davies and Dane Smith, the tie looked over. However, St Leonards fought back immediately with a Chris Scott strike and two more in the last ten minutes from Paul Wilson and Sam Rimmer levelled it at 3-3 to take the game into extra-time. They looked to have won the game themselves when Paul Wilson put them ahead in the first minute of extra-time but Sedlescombe equalised with a cross cum shot from John Rowley which dipped in and then Martin Durling headed the winner in the 114th minute and held on for victory thanks to some good work by substitute goalkeeper Mark Holohan.

On Saturday, Ridge West completed their Premier Division season with a 6-0 defeat of Bodiam thanks to Tom Cusden (2) Dan Foster, James Kofoed, Steve Brooks and Dave Pugh whilst St Leonards had Kenny McNaughton, Gerard Moyse and Craig Hayler on target as they won 3-1 against Peasmarsh whose scorer was Neil Winton.

A Joey Pout hat-trick plus a solo goal from Christian Puttock gave Athletico a 4-0 Division One win against Little Common whilst Mountfield won 3-0 at Bexhill AAC thanks to Jake Hillier, Joe Pilbeam and Richard Hudson. Icklesham beat Hastings Rangers 4-3 with goals from Phil Badrock (2) Sean Baker and Steve Pugh with Jason Boseley (2) and Kyle Coleman replying for Rangers whilst Ninfield and Crowhurst drew 3-3 with Tom Andrew, Shane Ryan and Marc Standen netting for Crows.

Division Two champions Wheatsheaf suffered their first defeat of the season 2-3 to Magham Down with Andy Kendall netting both ‘Sheaf goals as Byron Thomas, Neil Finch and Will McLaughlin strikes gave Magham Down victory. The only other game played in the division saw White Knight and Northiam draw 0-0.

The top three teams in Division Three all won with Ibraham Aqqad (2) George Pocock (2) John Penny and Lionel Woodroofe all scoring for Wadhurst as they won 6-0 at Beulah Baptists whilst Rikki Matthews, Joe Reeves and Liam McLaughlin scored the Benbow goals as they beat Pebsham Sibex 3-0. Wayne Mewett (2) Adan Hardy, Tom Ripley and John Smith goals gave Robertsbridge a 5-1 victory against Eastbourne Dynamos for whom Steve Fletcher netted.

Division Four saw Burwash move off the bottom of the table as a Colin Eade penalty and Gary Pickles goal gave them a 2-0 win against Bexhill AAC whilst Hollington won their last game 5-3 at St Helens with goals from Will Cullen (3) Glenn Woodhurst and James Lewis with Wayne Wilkinson (2) and Steve Winchester replying for Saints. Jason Morley (2) Ross Monteith and Luke Coleman scored the Hurst goals as they beat Cranbrook 4-3 with Tom Fullager (2) and Tom Robinson on target for Town.

Second placed Icklesham won 4-2 in Division Five at Heathfield Hotspurs with strikes from George McEwan (2) Jimmy McGachy and Dale Glazier whilst Westfield won 6-0 at Orington thanks to Darroll Parris (2) Sam Archer, Jack Graham, John Haddock and an own goal. Late goals from Dan Hilder (2) and Lewis Colvin gave Travaux a 3-1 victory against Ninfield whilst Hastings Rangers won 3-0 at Wadhurst with Liam Martin, Wayne Taylor and Ashley Jansen netting.

The only Division Six match played saw Nelson Tigers defeat White Knight 3-1 with goals from Tony Rhodes, Billy Barton and Kale Williams with Luke Davis replying for Knights.

Saturday 22nd March
23rd March 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Saturday 22nd March 2008

Two goals each from Nick Hall and Dave Gautrey guided Peche Hill to a 7-0 victory over Bodiam in the Premier Division with Tim Bigg, Sam Clee and Tom Casey netting their other goals whilst a single Alan Foster strike gave Hollington a 1-0 win against Heathfield Hotspurs. St Leonards beat Rock-a-Nore 4-2 with Ben Watson, Paul Wilson, Kenny Gaynor and Chris Scott on target for Saints with Ashley Spice (penalty) and Luke Jenner replying for Rocks.

Division One has new leaders in Athletico following their 7-2 win at Hastings Rangers thanks to Anthony Harvey (2) Kirk Ferguson, Aaron Lidster, Christian Puttock, Joey Pout and Steve Townsend whilst Icklesham won 4-0 at Hollington with a Sean Baker hat-trick and a Greg Palmer goal. Martyn Reynolds netted the winner for Crowhurst as they beat Mountfield 1-0 whilst strikes from Lee Roberts (2) Kris Kayne, Jamie Broocks and an Aaron Cochrane penalty gave Bexhill a 5-0 lead at Ninfield before the game was abandoned near the end due to a bad injury. Nathan Massini (2) Richard Jones, Rob Guile and Richard Thompson all scored for Ticehurst as they won 5-1 at Sandhurst whose scorer was Conrad Woodgate.

Wheatsheaf were crowned Division Two champions following their 3-1 win at Northiam with goals from Godwin Dhilawayo, Andy Kendall and Owain Fitzsimmons with John James netting the Nothiam reply whilst second placed Catsfield had Tony Atkin and Charles Morgan scoring as they won 2-1 at Battle Baptists whose scorer was Alan Cowley. Mayfield completed their season with a 4-0 defeat of Magham Down thanks to a Mark Cass hat-trick and a goal from Chris Gillett whilst Peasmarsh thumped Hastings Rangers 13-0 with Duane Sweet (3) Gavin Carey (3) Liam Sayer (3) Tim Barham (2) Liam Burt and Alex Sarkies all on target.

A late Liam McCloughlin goal gave Division Three leaders Benbow a 1-0 victory at Eastbourne Dynamos whilst Wadhurst move up to third place following a 3-0 defeat of Pebsham Sibex with strikes from John Penny, Ibrahim Aqqad and Dean Tincombe. Robertsbridge United had Wayne Mewett and Tom Ripley netting in a 2-1 victory against Red Lion whose scorer was James Houlton.

Panako completed their season with a 5-0 Division Four victory against Burwash thanks to a Craig Ray hat-trick and strikes from Aaron Tudor and Dan Moore whilst Peasmarsh beat Cranbrook 3-2 with two Lee Pierce goals and a penalty from Neil Winton with Dan Moakes and Matt Gilliland replying for Town.

Division Five saw Icklesham defeat Ninfield 10-3 with Alfie Weller (3) George McEwan (2) John Fitton, Pete Gumbrell, Nick Bellhouse, Dale Glazier and Tim Hambridge all on the scoresheet with Corey Scott, Bob Allen and Scott Oliver replying for Ninfield whilst Wilton had Daniel Canning and Zak Dangerfield to thank for a 2-1 victory against Travaux whose scorer was Michael Taylor. Liam Martin scored twice for Hastings Rangers but could not prevent Westfield winning 3-2 with goals from Chris Stonham, John Haddock and an own goal whilst a Tony Barnett hat-trick helped Tackleway beat Orington 4-2 with Jamie Forbes netting their other goal and Carl Longbottom and Scott Brunton replying for Orington. Northiam won 4-3 at Mountfield with goals from Ben Andrews, James Townsley, Jude Thwaites and Simon Brain with Mountfield replies from Robbie Marchant, Matt Tidmarsh and a Jack Craddock penalty.

Nelson Tigers moved to the top of Division Six following a 4-1 defeat of Magham Down with goals from Kale Williams, Stuart Playford, Tony White and Tony Rhodes with Aaron Kirk replying for the visitors whilst Hastings Rangers slipped to a 3-0 defeat by White Knight whose scorers were Luke Davis (2) and Alan Hayes. Sedlescombe remain third after winning 7-0 at Herstmonceux with Steve Kentell (3) Rory Abbott (2) Christian Garman and Matt Davey all scoring.

Saturday 15th March
16th March 2008

THE EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sponsored by K & P MOTORING WORLD

Report on matches played Saturday 15th March 2008

Punnetts Town completed their Premier Division season with a 1-1 draw at second placed Ridge West with Tom Porter netting for Town and Steve Pugh replying for Ridge West whilst two Sam Rimmer penalties gave St Leonards Social a 2-2 draw at Heathfield Hotspurs whose scorers were Mark Berryman and Jason Hollyoak. Sean Baldwin (2) and Clem Carter goals gave Tackleway a 3-0 victory against Peasmarsh whilst Louis Bradbury and Dave Wareham scored the Bodiam goals as they won 2-1 against Rock-a-Nore with Orlando Correia replying for Rocks.

Hollington returned to the top of Division One after winning 4-1 at Sandhurst with goals from Mark Taylor, Tony Chantler, Paul Jones and Glenn Woodhurst with Alan Smith replying for Sandhurst whilst third placed Ninfield won 2-1 at Sedlescombe thanks to Chris Copley and Ian Rise strikes. Two Jonathan Novis goals for Mountfield could not prevent a 4-2 defeat by Little Common whose scorers were Lee Short (2) Paul Lakin and Luke Alais whilst Crowhurst had Tom Adams, Jamie Lindsay and Martyn Reynolds on target as they won 3-1 at Ticehurst for whom Wayne Stone replied.

The top two teams met in Division Two with Wheatsheaf securing promotion following a 1-0 defeat of Catsfield thanks to Andy Kendall’s second half strike whilst Herstmonceux thumped Firehills 8-0 with Ben Fuller (3) Danny Colbourne, John Brettany, Sean Gatehouse, Matt Bryan and Derek Hames all on target. Alan Pope scored twice for Magham Down but Northiam won 3-2 with goals from Tim Godden, John James and Sam Loughman whilst Hastings Rangers and Battle Baptists drew 2-2 with Tom Hammond and an own goal for Rangers equalled by Peter Cooper and Ian Rafati for Baptists.

Benbow moved eight points clear at the top of Division Three after a 5-3 defeat of Hawkhurst with goals from Lee Gurr, Rhys Hodges, Alex MacDonald, Liam McCloughlin and Daryoush Majidi with Joe Mulert (2) and Barry Livesey replying for Hawks whilst two Andy Bailey goals guided Pebsham Sibex to a 5-2 win against Beulah Baptists with Lee Sumner, Grant Gates and Dave Remmer netting their other goals and Baptists replies coming from Clark Cham and Soran Fatah. Neil Histed (2) Adam Sully and Nick Sheppard were the Battle Rangers scorers as they won 4-2 against Tackleway whose scorers were Stuart Cramp and Lee Drury.

In Division Four, a Josh Hook penalty gave Punnetts Town a 1-0 win against St Helens whilst Tom Fullagar scored the Cranbrook winner as they beat Bexhill AAC 1-0. Jason Morley (2) Ross Monteith and an own goal secured a 4-0 win for Hurst against Burwash in a game which saw both keepers saving penalties.

Icklesham Casuals kept up their promotion challenge in Division Five with a 7-1 win at Peche Hill thanks to Peter Gumbrell (3) George McEwan, Janek Zysemil, Jimmy McGachy and an own goal whilst leaders Wilton were held to a 2-2 draw by Westfield with Daniel Canning and Zak Dangerfield netting for Wilton and Billy-Jo Driver and Sam Archer replying for Westfield. Hastings Rangers are third after Joe Harmer and Ricky Matthews gave them a 2-1 win against Orington whose scorer was Jonathan Rich-Spice whilst Northiam had Simon Brain (2) Ben Andrews and Jude Thwaites on target as they won 4-2 at Ninfield whose goals came from Scott Oliver and Corey Scott. Goals from Chris Alexander and Michael Taylor were cancelled out by two Adam Hewitt strikes as Travaux and Wadhurst drew 2-2.

White Knight in Division Six were the day’s top scorers in a 10-0 thumping of Beulah Baptists with strikes from Ben Merritt (4) Alan Hayes (2) Luke Davis, Phil Eagles, Tom Merritt and an own goal whilst Guestling Rangers completed their first campaign with a 3-2 home defeat by Sedlescombe despite goals from Isaac Wells and Tom Wynne-Pennels. A Joe Thompson hat-trick plus one from Aaron Kirk and an own goal gave Magham Down a 5-1 win against Battle Baptists whose scorer was Rob Usherwood.

Sportsmanship Marks
5th March 2008

Victoria Baptists 154 18 8.56
Wadhurst United II 119 14 8.50
Northiam 75 II 152 18 8.44
Herstmonceux II 135 16 8.44
Ninfield United II 149 18 8.28
Hastings Rangers 157 19 8.26
Hollington United III 173 21 8.24
The J C Tackleway 146 18 8.11
Bexhill ACC 121 15 8.07
Burwash 129 16 8.06
Battle Rangers 153 19 8.05
Peasmarsh & Iden III 153 19 8.05
Battle Baptists 136 17 8.00
Punnetts Town II 168 21 8.00
Eastbourne Athletic 136 17 8.00
Sandhurst II 128 16 8.00

Club Administration
5th December 2007

Despite many warnings your Committees Compliance meeting are dealing with the following Rule Breaches this month.

26 Teams seem unable to send a match result sheet to the League within 5 DAYS!! of the game played. It's a false economy to post result sheets with second class stamps and then receive a fine of £10 !!!

During the past 2 months 10 teams have not telephoned their results in by 6-30pm causing unnecessary work for officers on a Saturday evening which will result in the Web Site not being updated until Sundays.

Some Clubs are failing to notify their match official as well as Unregistered First Aiders.

Sussex F.A Junior Cup
1st December 2007

Ferring 4-1 Wheatsheaf
Whight Knight 4-2 Crowhurst

John Cornford League President
1st October 2007

It is with deep sadness that we have to report the passing of our President John Cornford.
John had served Sussex Football with great loyalty in numerous roles with the Sussex F.A, Hastings F.A. and Vice Chairman, Chairman and President of the East Sussex League for many years.
John passed on many words of wisdom to his colleagues and will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts at this time are with his wife Eileen and son Steven.
We will report further when funeral details are known.

First Aid Courses
18th April 2007

NHS Save-A-Life Classes

Hastings & Rother

8th May Sidley Community Centre 7-9pm
15th May The Health Hut, London Road, St Leonards 7-9pm
5th June Claverham Community College 7-9pm
14th June Robsack Community Centre 7-9pm
25th June Rye Sports Centre 7-9pm
11th July Ore Community Centre 7-9pm
16th July Little Common Community Centre 7-9pm
26th July The Health Hut, London Road, St Leonards 7-9pm
4th September Ore Community Centre 7-9pm
11th September Little Common Community Centre 7-9pm
1st October The Health Hut, London Road, St Leonards 7-9pm
3rd October Sidley Community Centre 7-9pm
8th October Claverham Community Centre 7-9pm
1st November Four Courts Community Centre, St Leonards 7-9pm
12th November Robsack Wood Cimmunity Centre 7-9pm
27th November The Health Hut, London Road, St Leonards 7-9pm
5th December Ore Community Centre 7-9pm

Eastbourne & Wealden

13th June Wadhurst Community Base 6.45-8.45pm
21st June Hailsham Health Centre 6.30-8.30pm
2nd July Heathfield Community Centre 6.45-8.45pm
13th September Hailsham Health Centre 6.30-8.30pm
29th November Hailsham Helath Centre 6.30-8.30pm
4th December Heathfield Community Centre 6.45-8.45pm

Any clubs wishing to attend a course should contact Daniel Eldridge via email (daniel.eldridge@esfl.org.uk) Please note that the courses are run by the NHS and are free. Further details and any matters relating to certificates should be discussed with the NHS direct on the following numbers 01424 457129 or 01323 430003.

Chris Birch
3rd October 2006

We are very sad and shocked to report the sudden death of Chris Birch who served the ESL as Referees Secretary and proved to be a very loyal player and member of Punnetts Town F.C.

Doug Saunders
28th May 2006

It gives us great sadness to report that our friend and colleague Doug Saunders passed away today after a brave fight against illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Doug's family. We will report further details together with a tribute shortly . Doug's funeral will be held on Friday 9th June 11-00 am at St Laurence Church The Moor Hawkhurst, please attend if you can.



It was with enormous regret that the East Sussex League received the news of the passing of Doug Saunders, he died on Sunday 28th May following a long & courageous battle with illness.

Doug served the league for many years firstly, as a member of the management committee, then as an officer, it was during his twelve year tenure as general secretary that he earned tremendous respect from clubs and colleagues.

He once said that the playing season ended in May and he immediately started work on the next seasons AGM, the hours Doug spent working for the League went largely unnoticed.

During the season he was always available and approachable, although he may not have always given the desired reply, it was invariably the right decision.

Away from the East Sussex League, Doug’s first love in football was Hawkhurst United the club he served so loyally in many capacities from player to president for over fifty years.

Doug spent many years researching the history of Hawkhurst Utd, resulting in its publication, an achievement of which he was rightly proud.

The thousands of pounds raised by the Hawkhurst Charity Cup for the local cottage hospital over many years, owes no small part to Doug’s organisational skills.

His dedication, loyalty and real friendship will be sorely missed by everybody connected with the league and football in general.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Joan and family.