Sidley sink Hawkhurst – Sedlescombe win in Sussex Cup – but rain hits many

Five league games and four ties in county knockout competitions went ahead as the action, or least some of it, resumed following the festive break.

The one Premier Division fixture to get the all-clear resulted in a 4-2 win for Sidley United at home to Hawkhurst United.

The Blues opened up a 3-0 half-time lead en route to a victory which catapulted them up three places to fifth in the standings, climbing above Hawkhurst in the process.

An Andy Atkin double, Adam Day free-kick and an own goal made up Sidley's goal tally, while Kieren Martin scored both goals for a Hawks side which went down to nine men through injury.

Peche Hill Select moved level on points with Division Two leaders Ninfield, albeit having played once more, after a lasp-gasp penalty secured a 1-0 victory at home to Hooe.

Bobby-Joe Bowles got the all-important goal for Peche Hill in a contest containing three red cards, two of which were shown to Hooe.

Sovereign Saints II hit the ground running in 2023 as three unanswered goals during the second half earned them a 5-1 success away to Orington in Division Three.

Luke Maglennon and Joshua Lade struck twice each, and Nick Barden was also on target for Saints as they jumped up two spots to fifth. Scott Brunton notched for a Orington team now two points and two positions below their conquerors.

There was a 10-goal thriller in Division Four as SC Pass+Move Arrows III and The JC Tackleway II played out a remarkable 5-5 draw.

Bradley Pearse (2) and Jonjo Wright were among the scorers for the Arrows as the goals flowed between the sides who remain ninth and seventh in the table.

Having waited until early December for their first league triumph of the season, Hastings Athletic have now won twice in succession.

And Saturday's 2-0 win at home to fourth-placed Burwash - via the finishing of Joel Hennessy and Joseph Simonian - means Athletic are now just two points adrift at the foot of the standings.

Crowhurst exited the Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup after three second-half goals sent the Premier Division side spinning to a 4-1 defeat away to Bosham.

Sean Baldwin's strike had the Crows level at the break, but mid-table Southern Combination League Division Two club Bosham took charge after the turnaround.

Ninfield surged through to the Sussex Bluefin Junior Challenge Cup quarter-finals after coming from behind to run out 5-1 victors away to Eastbourne Athletic.

The Division Two leaders had come through penalty shootouts in the two previous rounds, but were far more comfortable this time thanks to Jo Trigwell's hat-trick and a Jason Taylor brace.

After three consecutive away ties, Ninfield will finally have home advantage in the last eight. Their opponents will be Lancing United, Uckfield United or Polegate Town.

Bexhill Rovers' progress was halted, however, as two goals in either half saw the Division Two outfit beaten 4-0 away to Eastbourne Rangers II.

In the second round, Division Three leaders Herstmonceux were pipped 4-3 on penalties following a dramatic 5-5 draw away to Horsham Trinity.

Standings - Premier Division (played-points): Bexhill Town 10-27 (+19 goal difference), Punnetts Town 8-16 (+14), Crowhurst 9-15 (+16), Rye Town 6-15 (+9), Sidley United* 9-11 (-7), Westfield II 6-10 (+2), St Leonards Social 9-10 (-16), Hawkhurst United 11-9 (-12), Rock-a-Nore* 9-7 (+2), Bexhill AAC 6-6 (-1), Robertsbridge United 9-3 (-26). * = points adjusted

Division 1 (played-points): The JC Tackleway 8-22 (+29), Sandhurst 6-15 (+6), AFC Jesters 7-12 (-1), SC Pass+Move Arrows 5-10 (+6), Wadhurst United* 9-6 (-5), Little Common II 9-6 (-15), Battle Town II 6-1 (-20). * = points adjusted. South Coast Athletico withdrawn

Division 2 (played-points): Ninfield 8-20 (+12), Peche Hill Select 9-20 (+8), Hollington United II 8-14 (+6), Victoria Baptists 8-13 (+6), SC Pass+Move Arrows II 8-12 (-3), Northiam 75 8-10 (+4), Sedlescombe Rangers II 9-9 (-2), Bexhill Rovers 8-9 (-4), Hooe 8-7 (-7), Icklesham Casuals 10-6 (-20).

Division 3 (played-points): Herstmonceux 11-28 (+24), Parkfield 10-23 (+10), Rye Town II* 9-17 (+10), Crowhurst II 6-15 (+9), Sovereign Saints II 9-14 (0), Catsfield 9-14 (0), Orington 9-12 (-2), Bexhill AAC II 9-10 (-9), Mountfield United 9-9 (-3), Ticehurst* 7-7 (+6), Hastings Comets 8-2 (-16), Westfield III 10-1 (-31). * = points adjusted

Division 4 (played-points): Welcroft Park Rangers II 10-28 (+29), Westfield IV 9-18 (+12), Battle Town III 10-15 (+8), Burwash 10-15 (-1), Sedlescombe Rangers Development 9-15 (-4), Robertsbridge United II 8-12 (+1), The JC Tackleway II 11-11 (-2), Hawkhurst United II 8-10 (-9), SC Pass+Move Arrows III* 10-9 (-15), Hastings Athletic 11-7 (-19).

Saturday January 14 fixtures - Premier Division (2pm): Bexhill AAC v Rock-a-Nore, Bexhill Town v Punnetts Town, Hawkhurst United v St Leonards Social, Rye Town v Crowhurst.

Division 1 (2pm): Battle Town II v AFC Jesters, The JC Tackleway v Sandhurst, Wadhurst United v SC Pass+Move Arrows.

Division 2 (2pm): Hooe v Northiam 75, Ninfield v Hollington United II, Sedlescombe Rangers II v Bexhill Rovers, Victoria Baptists v Peche Hill Select.

Division 3 (2pm): Catsfield v Ticehurst, Crowhurst II v Bexhill AAC II, Hastings Comets v Rye Town II, Orington v Westfield III, Parkfield v Mountfield United.

Division 4 (2pm): Burwash v Sedlescombe Rangers Development, Robertsbridge United II v Hastings Athletic, Welcroft Park Rangers II v Hawkhurst United II, Westfield IV v SC Pass+Move Arrows III.

Sussex Bluefin Junior Challenge Cup, 2nd round (1.30pm): Barnham Trojans II v Sovereign Saints II.

ESFL Graham Ormston Premier Travel Chauffeurs Challenge Cup quarter-final (1.30pm): Westfield II v Sidley United.

Macron Store Hastings Cup, 2nd round (1.30pm): SC Pass+Move Arrows II v Robertsbridge United.

Sedlescombe Rangers 3 The Unicorn Bognor 0

Sussex Intermediate Cup

Sedlescombe made it two wins from two, despatching Unicorn 3-0 in the cup. It was a fiery encounter that resulted in Sedlescombe progressing to the quarter-final.

The first ten minutes saw both Sedlescombe and Unicorn scrapping for possession in challenging conditions. Sedlescombe goalkeeper Nathan Pagden was equal to anything that came his way.

Sedlescombe soon began to exert their influence. The dangerous front three of Zak Boutwood, Isaac Perrin and Ryan Edwards all had chances, Perrin with the best but his one on one was brilliantly saved by the Bognor goalkeeper.

Ben Gardner was unlucky not to get a touch with his head when five yards out.

With the teams going in level at the break, the second half certainly didn’t disappoint. Sedlescombe’s centre midfield of Mikey Morgan, Aiden Aspinall and Rob Higgins were dominant, creative, and aggressive.

Aspinall soon began to carve out chances and it was the impressive Boutwood who opened the scoring. The ball was played into him on the edge of the box and a classy finish with his left foot nestled into the corner.

Unicorn received sin bins, a straight red card and touchline arguments were aplenty. Sedlescombe kept their composure and soon doubled their advantage.

Perrin won a penalty and converted it. Perrin then scored a brilliant third Sedlesconbe goal, unleashing a fantastic 20-yard strike into the top corner.

The Sedlescombe management team of Michael Cook and George Driver were delighted with the defending on display. The ever-impressive centre back pairing of Ben Gardner and Regan Constable dominated in the air and full-backs Ben Steadman and Harry Lovick didn’t put a foot wrong and were excellent. Jake Thomas and Dan Tyler also showed neat touches off the bench.

Sedlescombe hope to make it three wins on the bounce when they return to league action against Rotherfield tomorrow.