Silverhill celebrate trophy triumph

Club, who first entered the Hastings & East Sussex Sunday Football League in 1990, brushed aside league champions-elect Abbey 6-2 at a windswept Gullivers on Sunday evening.

Victory also completed a full house of titles for the 2004-05 league, Demarco Cup and Secretaries' Shield winners.

They were full value for a repeat of their triumph over the same opponents in last season's Demarco final despite going behind to a fine volley from Paul Oliver after only 70 seconds.

But the aggressive tactics of Club soon got them on top and they were ahead within 20 minutes courtesy of Liam Baker and a powerful Marc Gall header from Jimmy Pepper's free kick.

Baker extended Club's lead in the third minute of the second period despite appearing to handle before teeing up Danny Woodley for a tap-in mid-way through the half.

Baker then completed his hat-trick and Woodley added his second prior to Club having Nick Hall sent-off for swearing at the fourth official.

Chris Smith stroked home a stoppage time penalty for an Abbey side which was beaten for the first time in 19 encounters against opposition from their own league this season.

The contest was overshadowed, however, by a serious head injury to Abbey striker Dominic Clarke in an honest clash with Club goalkeeper Shane Mitchell. Clarke was taken to hospital suffering from concussion and blurred vision and the match was held up for 15 minutes while an ambulance arrived.

The two teams will meet again in the final of the Demarco Cup - a competition which Abbey have never won - at the same venue on Sunday April 9, kick-off 5pm.