Under 9
Jordan bags hat-trick
Old Town 2 Marle Place Wands 3
Jordan Middle's hat-trick gave Place their first away win of the season against very useful hosts. He followed up Ben John's powerful shot that produced a good save to make it 1-0 but Old Town equalised direct from a corner. Middle struck again in similar fashion with a thunderous finish after James Ellmer was denied from a one-on-one but he missed a good chance to complete his hat-trick when John's shot rebounded off Ellmer and fell kindly. Place threatened to over run Town at the start of the second half, with Alex Wotton and John trying their luck before good ball control by Charlie Ledger in the box helped Middle to his third. Old Town responded positively and pulled one back from a scramble. They then applied some heavy pressure but visiting keeper Michael Platt thwarted them with some fine saves and once again, twins Tom and Jack Cooper showed great promise in defence. Place joint MoM in an entertaining contest were Jordan Middle and Michael Platt.
Old Town 6 Marle Place Wands 1
Apart from a couple of Ben John efforts and a Kieran Cruttenden shot into the side netting, the first half belonged to Old Town, who built a 5-0 lead. But in a much more even second half, Middle having entered the fray, pulled one back for Place with a bouncing shot which proved too awkward for the home keeper. Counter attacks together with uncompromising tackling in defence by Freddie Gillam and especially Ollie Roney, who had his best game for Place, limited Town to just one more goal. Platt also continued to show accomplished goalkeeping, while Charlie Grover and Archie Hill showed great endeavour. Charlie Ledger, playing up front after sustaining a foot injury prior to the game, claimed MoM. The referee for both matches was Kevin Coleman.
Under 11
Hornets edge derby win
Hurst Hornets 1 Hassocks Juniors 0
Both teams started the game well, with the defences holding despite good work down the right throughout by the Hornets' Ben Haskell and one particularly good run and cross on the other flank by Nick Murphy. There was only one clear chance for each side in the first half: a snapshot from Hornets' Ben Haskell going straight at the keeper and at the other end Dan Jee denying the visitors. The second half started much as the first but slowly the Hornets started to have better possession. Eventually, after a couple of corners in quick succession, the ball broke for Sam Webber to score with a rasping shot from the edge of the box that was deflected in by a defender. The last five minutes were tense, with Hassocks pressing for an equaliser but Hornets holding out thanks in part to the excellent pairing of Adam Morris and Jason Barrett.
Southdown's flying start
Southdown Girls 9 Jarvis Brook Girls 0
Southdown kicked off the league season in fine style with this resounding win. All 10 players did really well and it was impossible to pick a player of the match. With Andrea Barnard and Lydia Woods providing a solid base, Southdown went in front when after a fine midfield move, Lydia Goodridge provided the final pass for skipper Emily Brocklehurst to find the top lefthand corner from the edge of the box. New start Alice Lees then scored twice, the first after Lydia Goodridge and Rose Jump pulled the defence apart and then with a shot from a narrow angle. Jarvis Brook pressed forward at the start of of the second half but with Southdown keeper Daisy Eden in fine form, they could not find a way through. Southdown then stepped up a gear and with subs Billie Philpott and Gabrielle FitzSimons bossing midfield, Lydia Goodridge claimed her first goal before Philpott made it 5-0. Ria Baitay's hard work paid off when she pounced twice in quick succession and then Jump scored the goal her efforts deserved. It was Goodridge who finally rounded off the scoring although credit Jarvis Brook for showing tremendous heart and battling to the end.
Under 12
Place soon heed the call
TD Shipley 1 Marle Place Wands 4
Place started a little nervously and soon found themselves trailing when a long range effort went over keeper Joshua Crowther. That helped wake up Place and they started using Edwin Dale and Oliver Brookes down the wings to good effect. They were soon level when Steve Bright got on the end of a ball from George Bloomfield and then a good move between Alex Harman and Jacob Higgs released Harry Quilley-Smith to make it 2-1. Late in the first half George Tucker's corner found Ryan Baker unmarked and he blasted the ball in for 3-1. In the second half defenders Nicolas Stipidis, Billy Mitchell and Ben Ackland stood firm and Place made the points safe when Daniel Brumpton picked up a loose ball in the area fired past the keeper. Place MoM was Edwin Dale.
Holt hits hat-trick
Saltdean Utd 2 Southdown Rovers 8
Highflying Rovers were given an early scare, falling behind to a well struck shot. But that only served to spur them on and they equalised when William Wood's free kick was too powerful for the keeper to hold and Michael Holt gratefully followed up to force the ball over the line. The best move of the game then resulted in Tom Kay skilfully curling the ball out of the keeper's reach from Gianni Martinkovic's fine through ball. Rovers were now settled and soon increased their lead as Holt's looping strike found its way into the top corner. Wood, not to be out done, scored with a sweet strike. Southdown keeper Grady Pummell was then called into action to preserve the 4-1 advantage, with Max Donaldson completing the clearance. Rovers remained on top after the break and it was not long before Kay headed into the path of Giorgio Wingrove, who powered the ball home and quickly added another when following up Holt's long range effort. Kay confidently slotted home No 7 and then after Cameron Williams, Lewis Lesbirel and Louie Derham all went close, Holt completed his hat-trick. With the final whistle beckoning, Saltdean had the last word.
Southdown's revenge
Southdown Ath 5 Lower Beeding Lions 3
Cup holders Athletic gained sweet revenge for narrowly losing out to Beeding in last season's Horsham League title race. Southdown started with great determination in taking the game to Lions. A long clearance by keeper James Tarling sent Tom Kay away for a solo goal but slack defending enabled Beeding to level. Athletic responded in fine fashion when Lewis Lesbirel latched onto the loose ball and squeezed it through the keeper's legs 2-1. Grady Pummell then had a long range effort well saved and it was his great through ball that enabled Tommy Churchyard to give the keeper little chance. Beeding then hit back almost immediately and although Churchyard again went close, Tarling needed to be alert to keep Southdown ahead at the midway point. The second half was a good test of Southdown's character and they did not disappoint when Kay flicked the ball up and thumped his shot high into the Lions net. The hosts were now in command as midfielders Harry Worthington, Max Donaldson and Louie Derham worked tirelessly to supply Thomas Lewis and Lesbirel. Defenders Theo Ambridge, Michael Devereux and Jordan Adams were now getting to grips with the lively Beeding forwards and Athletic's superiority finally paid off when Connor Oxley lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper. Beeding had the last word but it was with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
Under 13
Well beaten but it's better
Hurst Hornets 8 Marle Place Rangers 0
Although comprehensively beaten, Rangers put in an improved performance. Hust were the better team and took their chances well but the visitors kept their shape well and battled to the end. Defender Charlie Owen typified the commitment in a new position sand that earned him MoM. Once again Jack Wheatley played well and his brother Billie pulled off some great saves in goal. Unfortunately, the Rangers forwards Harry Funnel, Conner Cole and Charlie Gray did not get the best of service but Michael Bridger's improved form continued and new signing Sean Barret is developing well.
Place girls shine brightly
Marle Place Girls 12 Henfield Girls 0
On a sunny morning Place girls outshone EG after going ahead in the first minute when Powell's cross crept in at the near post. Almost immediately keeper Wilson had to save well but it was not long before Place extended their lead when Wheatley was the quickest to react. Good build-up play between Rowe and Spies enabled Slinger to slide the ball in and soon after, Wilson's clearance enabled Johnson to outpace the defence and fire in for 4-0. After the break Wheatley soon made it 5-0 from a Bowles through ball and scorer then turned provider for Slinger. Wheatley completed her hat-trick when set up by Powell and then struck against after Cura had got on the scoresheet. Powell made it double figures and then played a part as Spies added the last two.
United good in parts
Withdean 10 Cuckfield Cosmos Utd 1
United found themselves on the wrong end of a heavy defeat but for long spells they held their own. Two disastrous five-minute spells either side of the break brought seven of the goals but apart from that they did well to restrict a strong Withdean side to a couple of wonderful individual goals. Both sides looked capable of scoring early on and when Christopher Turner just failed to save a Withdean penalty after 15 minutes, United were level just three minutes later as Ben Hewitt followed up a superb Charlie Pitcher effort. After that despite the brave efforts of Daniel Gardner, Todd Haufek, Ollie Wilkinson, Charlie Burt and MoM Liam Fitzpatrick, Withdean built a big lead. Hewitt, Jamie Gilland, Harry Elson, Jordan Badger and Adam Willis all had chances to reduce the deficit but a combination of good keeping and poor luck kept them out.
Under 14
Alice and Alex to the fore
Oakwood Girls 0 Marle Place Girls 1
Place continued their good start to the season by beating a strong Oakwood side. Both teams showed skill and ability throughout and it was fluent end to end play as only powerful defensive displays that kept it tight. Without the injured Laura Bass, Jess Chapman slotted in at right back alongside Sharlotte Blythe, Dannielle Bishop & Charlotte John. Charlotte Fox and Jasmine Somerville controlled the midfield asnd that was good news for strikers Georgia and Alex Burt. It was 25 minutes in that Place got the only goal when Georgia Burt out-ran the Oakwood defence and blasted the ball past the keeper. Good goalkeeping from Siobhan White ensured that Place turned around still ahead. After the break it was Kelly Dunne, Kay Porter and Abi Lewis who won the midfield battle and although Oakwood were in determined mood, Place had further chances to extend their lead. Alice Bass had her best game since signing and Alex Burt ran non-stop from the first to the last minute.
Under 15
Strong opening defence
Hurstpierpoint Colts 10 Henfield 0
Hurst began their defence of the Fred Sparkes Horsham League Cup with this comprehensive victory at a foggy Kinsfield. Hurst were dominant from the start and Kieran Widdows was unlucky not to score from the first attack of the game. It was 12 minutes in when Conor Emery steered the ball into the top of the net from 20 yards and then Luke Pearce quickly added a second. A deflected Will Baker shot made it 3-0 but iwas not until the second half that Hurst turned up the heat. Emery hit a scorcher from 25 yards for his second and completed his hat-trick from close range. Pearce also completed his hat-trick, his second was almost identical to the first and his third was a close range header. Cal Dove deservedly got on the scoresheet and Kit Tregear's deflected goal was Hurst's 300th since they started playing 11 aside football four years ago. Dove's close range effort sealed a comprehensive victory against a valiant Henfield, who deserve credit for never giving up.