By Anthony Scott
One of the big games in the Premier Division of the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League saw third place Pagham welcome fifth place Eastbourne United to Nyetimber Lane.
And the crowd in West Sussex were treated to an eventful game – with the visitors coming from behind to inflict Pagham’s fourth defeat of the season.
Scott Murfin’s 16th league goal of the season put the Lions ahead early on, before United drew level on the half hour. Despite seeing a penalty saved by James Binfield, Liam Baitup was first to the rebound and made no mistake. With fifteen minutes to go, Callum Hart then put Eastbourne United ahead, only for Neil Murfin to draw the hosts level moments later. However, another penalty saw Baitup score and give United a 3-2 win.
That gave Chichester City the chance to move up to third, and they did that after coming from behind themselves at Eastbourne Town. In a game between our last two representatives in the FA Vase, Jason Taylor and Evan Archibald had twice given an improving Town side the lead, only for goals from Scott Jones, Dan Hegarty and Ellis Martin to give Miles Rutherford’s men all three points at the Saffrons.
The top two remain separated by eight points after both won 4-0 on the road. Shoreham saw off struggling Hailsham Town, with Joe Keehan, Jamie Craddock, Tom Burton and Richard Greenfield on target for the Mussels. Heath, meanwhile, had Callum Saunders score twice in their win at Arundel. An own goal and Trevor McCreadie completed the scoring for the Blues at Mill Road.
There was also an entertaining game at Gorings Mead, where despite coming from behind to draw level, Peacehaven left empty handed after late drama. A brace from Nick Sullivan saw Horsham YMCA go 2-0 up with an hour gone, only for Curtis Ford and Conor Wilkins goals to draw Haven level with goals inside five minutes of each other. Despite that, it was the hosts who went on to win as Phil Johnson scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give them a 3-2 win.
Newhaven needed two Ryan Walton penalties to earn them a point at home to Crawley Down Gatwick. Sam Cane and Lee Thomas goals had seen the Anvils come from behind to lead with thirteen minutes to go, but only for Walton’s second spot kick to earn the Dockers a share of the points.
Elsewhere, Lancing came from behind to claim all three points against AFC Uckfield Town. Jack Webber had given the Oaks a half time lead at Culver Road, but only for Will Berry to draw the hosts level. Alex Fair then scored twice in the last six minutes to give the hosts a 3-1 win.
Alex Parsons, Marlon Maxwell and Ollie Moore goals saw Broadbridge Heath win 3-0 at Littlehampton Town, who fall to second-bottom after wins for Wick and Worthing United.
Adrian Todd got the only goal for Simon Funnell’s Worthing side as they won 1-0 at Loxwood, with Joe Gromett on target as Wick won away at Hassocks by the same scoreline.
It’s as you were at the top of Division One as the top three all won, but in different styles. Two goals from Lewis Hole helped Little Common to a comfortable win against St. Francis Rangers. Adam Smith was also on target in a 3-0 win for the hosts.
Mile Oak, meanwhile, were impressive winners at a resurgent Langney Wanderers. Former Lewes Academy player Jordan Stubbings scored four for Oak at The Oval, with Joe Benn also on target in a 5-1 win. Tyler Pearson had drawn Wanderers level after six minutes.
Saltdean United were made to work hard for a 2-1 win at Midhurst & Easebourne. Tyler Goatcher and Andy McDowell goals looked set to put United in for an easy afternoon. However, Gary Norgate struck with twenty minutes to go to set up a tense finale, but the Stags couldn’t find an equaliser.
Lingfield produced a fine second half comeback as they won a seven-goal thriller against Billingshurst. Eno Idiong and Pat O’Sullivan goals saw the visitors lead 2-0 going into the final 22 minutes. However, goals from Brett Caiger, Sam Bell, Connor Leech and TJ Stead saw the hosts go 4-2 up. Elliot Hawkes scored for the visitors late on, but Lingfield held on to win.
Steyning Town stay fourth despite drawing at Selsey. Howard Low and Tom Groom goals twice put Selsey ahead at the Bunn Leisure Stadium, only for Charlie Romain and Lewis Levoi efforts to earn the Barrowmen a share of the spoils.
AFC Varndeanians and Seaford Town played out a 2-2 draw at the Withdean Stadium. Reece Gayler and Matt Waterman put the hosts ahead after Joey Pout’s early effort, only for Dave Pugh to score in the second half to earn Seaford a point.
Ross Myers scored a brace to help Southwick to a 3-2 win at home to Bexhill United. Jack Piner was also on target in the win for the hosts, with Gordon Cuddington and Craig Ottley goals proving to be consolation efforts for the Pirates at Old Barn Way.
East Preston prevailed against a hard-working Ringmer side at the Caburn to stay in touch with the top three. Josh Etherington, Tom Lyne and Jared Rance got the goals for EP, who were made to work hard by a brave Ringmer side.
In the division’s other game, Matt Searle, Callum Meeney, Joe Warner and Ross Fraser got the goals for Storrington as they beat Oakwood, 4-0.
With Sidlesham in Intermediate Cup action, Bosham moved five points clear at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Rustington. Ricky Mullen and Ryan Coombes scored either side of the break for the Robins at Walton Lane.
Ferring conceded ten second half goals as they were thrashed at Lancing United. Mark O’Regan scored four times, with Grant Thetford adding five to the 13-goal win. Guy Church also scored a hat-trick for the hosts.
Alfold were big winners at home to Worthing Town Leisure. Dan Hallet and Matt Slater both scored twice in the second half in the 6-0 win. Paul Walshe and Evan Millias had given the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.
Jarvis Brook returned from Clymping with all three points after the teams shared eight goals at the Village Hall. Danny Lawrence, Nathan Millroy, Mike Fuller, Daryl King and Josh Rawlins were all on target for Brook, who won 5-3.
Elsewhere, Westfield stay in fourth after beating Montpelier Villa, 2-0. Callum Smith and Jake Adams scored either side of the break at the Parish Field.
Alex Townley, Tip Tapscott, Harry Smith and Jamie Rowland were all on target as Upper Beeding came from behind to win 4-1 at Roffey in the division’s other game.
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