Peacehaven & Telscombe edge past East Preston in Community Shield

The new Sussex Community Shield was the prize as Peacehaven & Telscombe overcame East Preston in a penalty shoot out as the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Sussex County League champions East Preston gained entry into this curtain raiser by steam rolling through their division losing just twice on their way to the championship. Before the game, manager Dominic Di Paola admitted that it would be a tough game.

‘It will certainly be our toughest pre-season test, Peacehaven are a very good team but it’s good to test yourself against the best’.

Peacehaven & Telscombe qualified for the match by winning last seasons’ Parafix Sussex Senior Challenge Cup for the first time in their history. They also surprised a lot of people to go onto win the Ryman South and therefor gain promotion to the Ryman Premier. Manager Shaun Saunders reflected on a great season for his side.

‘Some people thought we might go straight back down and while I haven’t heard anyone say that might happen in the Premier this season, I’m sure a few would not be surprised if we struggled’.

In truth, both sides struggled at times during the Community Shield tie. The best chance falling at the death to Charlie Pitcher of Peacehaven, choosing to try and chip the keeper when through on goal when he had better options.

So with the game tied at 0-0, penalties were required, which Peacehaven & Telscombe won 3-1 as Adam Hunt missed the decisive penalty for East Preston.

One sour note to the game for Peacehaven was an injury picked up by James Fraser early on and had to be replaced by Tom Burton.

So with the traditional opening game out of the way for both of these sides, it will be interesting to see if they can continue their winning ways and perhaps play in this very same fixture in 2015.