A 5-3 defeat for England Veterans’ Over 65’s against the East Sussex Over 60’s representative team on Tuesday 2nd December.

England opened the scoring after just 6 minutes. A shot from Russell Lane was parried by the Sussex keeper and Steve Edkins was on hand to net from close range.

England had chances to increase their lead but East Sussex gradually worked their way into the game and equalised after 30 minutes – England gave away possession just outside their box and a shot from Colin Riggs found the bottom corner. 1-1 at half time.

England started the second half on the front foot and Roy Gadsby scored twice within 10 minutes of the restart. He scored England’s second from close range after the keeper had parried Lane’s shot and he netted the rebound from Paul Miners’ shot for England’s third after Ian Greenwood had won the ball back on the edge of the area. 3-1 to England.

Mid way through the half, Sussex crucially pulled one back – England lost possession and a ball into the box was finished by Alan Osman.

England then imploded – a combination of tired legs and a loss of compactness as substitutes were introduced and positions switched. With 80 minutes on the clock, Osman headed home a right win cross to draw Sussex level and 4 minutes later they took the lead when a ball dropped kindly to Trigg to add his second. In the final minutes Trigg completed his hattrick after confusion in the England box.

Congratulations to East Sussex and our thanks to the match officials and to East Grinstead Sports Club for hosting the match.