Chelsea stars take up the challenge

THE first 1066 Sporting Club Soccer Challenge proved a great success as Chelsea Old Boys were crowned the inaugural winners.

The Blues, who included familiar faces such as Clive Walker, Tommy Langley and Gary Stanley, triumphed 5-2 against 1066 Veterans in the blazing sunshine at the Salts on Sunday.

The real winner though was local sporting talent in the 1066 region because the match raised 555. Delighted sporting club chairman Terry Avann said: "It was a very enjoyable day and we look forward to staging more matches in the near future." The next challenge match is likely to be in March or April with another game in September.

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Chelsea, who featured a number of suspiciously well preserved "veterans" in their line-up, made all the running in the early stages and some clinical finishing saw them open up a 3-0 lead inside half an hour.

1066, whose team was made up of ex-Rye & Iden United players and representatives of Ashdown Hurrey, Observer Sport, Delboys Wholesale, Serco and Superstitch 86, hauled themselves back into the contest by striking twice before half time. Sidley United joint manager Peter Heritage opened their account with a smart shot on the turn that nestled in the bottom corner of the net and soon after Avann curled home a "Beckhamesque" free kick. Avann went close to grabbing another goal but the keeper got down well at his near post.

The pace slowed in the second half as the players wilted in the heat, but the Chelsea kids always looked the more likely and only a series of fine saves by man of the match Mark Stapley prevented them from adding more than two goals.