The weather was getting better and better as the Season now started to progress. There were a total of ten fixtures in the Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League to be played.

Bexhill Utd (9th) were at home playing Saltdean Utd (17th) and could expect a tough game from the "Tigers". Bexhill Utd were hoping for more points to climb up the division whereas Saltdean Utd were looking for points to move away from the relegation zone. At the start of the season, the "Pirates" recorded a large away win over the "Tigers". Bexhill United took the lead just before halftime with a goal by James Stone which they then doubled in the second half with a goal by Evan Archibald. A very good game for players and spectators alike ended with a 2-0 home victory for Bexhill United.

Broadbridge Heath (3) welcomed very local rivals Roffey (20) to the "Countryside Stadium" which saw the "Bears" hoping to get a win to move closer to the leaders of the division and the "Boars" hoping for their first win of the season which recently they had been so close to achieving. Roffey had suffered a narrow defeat by Broadbridge Heath at the start of the season. After a hard fought period of the first half, the "Bears" took the lead with a goal by Mason Doughty which made the "Boars" fight harder and they were rewarded with an equaliser later with a goal by Morgan Prill. Roffey went ahead midway through the second half with a goal by Kelvin Lucas only for the "Bears" to equalise just before full time with Mason Doughty getting his second goal. Roffey nearly had a victory but the game ended in a 2-2 draw after great performances by both teams with the colossal Clyde Jacques being named as the Man of the Match for Roffey.

Two teams who were very close together in the division, Crowborough Athletic (8th) were at home at the "Community Stadium" to play Peacehaven and Telscombe (6th). Back in January a single goal was enough for the "Crows" to gain a victory over "Haven". Crowborough Athletic took the lead late in the first half when a corner taken by Rory Salter came to Harvey Killick who scored with a close range header. Very late in the first half in time added on a loose ball came to Robin Deen who volleyed the ball into the goal from close range so it was all square at half time. Straight from the restart Harry Forster headed a goal for the "Crow" and later the lead was extended when Tom Pearson volleyed a shot from six yards. A stunning 4-1 home victory was gained by Crowborough Athletic with Harvey Killick named as the Man of the Match.

Eastbourne Town (7th) had a very important battle in prospect when they welcomed the division leaders Crawley Down Gatwick (1st) to the "Saffron's Sports Ground". Very early in the season, "Town" had a convincing victory over the "Anvils". Eastbourne Town took the lead midway through the first half when the ball went into the goal directly from a corner taken by Leon Grieg which turned out to be the only goal of the game. Eastbourne Town gained a 1-0 home victory over the division leaders which ended their 11 game unbeaten run.

The "Beacon Ground", the home of Hassocks (10th) saw a game against Alfold (19th) which was difficult because the "Fold" were getting better with each game played as the team was developed. Another game played very early in the season had the result of the "Robins" beating the "Fold" quite easily. Hassocks started the first half with many chances but no goals. As the first half progressed Alfold became stronger and they had many chances. In the final minutes of the first half Jack Troak flashed the ball across the goal which unfortunately was deflected into his goal by Finn Bishop for an Own Goal to Hassocks. The lead was doubled after a short period of the second half when a pinpoint cross from Jack Troak came to Joshua Bradley who rose up and powered a bullet header into the top corner of the goal. With no more goals Hassocks put in a dominant performance in the second half and recorded a 2-0 home victory. Alfold named Harry Cole as their Man of the Match.

Again two teams adjacent to each other separated by one point, squared up at the "Herbert Direct Stadium". Horsham YMCA (11th) were the home side with Midhurst and Easebourne (12th) making the long journey across West Sussex. Back in August, YMCA had the narrowist of wins in their first encounter with the "Stags" followed by a huge win in the Senior Cup. Minutes after the start, a rangy ball from YMCA captain Ashley Dugdale came to Archie Goddard who rifled a fierce shot past the goalkeeper. In time added on for the first half Midhurst and Easebourne equalised with a goal by Jordan Stalibrass. There were no more goals in the second half but there was plenty of action by the Referee, YMCA had Hayden Neathey sent off for swearing at the Assistant Referee then the "Stags" had Harry Giles sent off for swearing at Joshua Neathey and finally Harry Tremlett for the "Stags" was sent off for a second yellow card when he kicked the ball away after a free kick was awarded to YMCA. The game ended with ten players against nine players with the score at 1-1.

Eastbourne Utd AFC (5th) who had won their last three games travelled up to the "Lair" to take on Lingfield (15th). Lingfield were having a mixed season but were always looking to spring a surprise. "Lingers" had been overpowered by "Town" by allowing them to convincingly win their last three meetings in the division. The first half ended goalless but Eastbourne Utd AFC went down to ten players when forward Callum Smith was sent off for an unknown reason so the Red Card will be appealed. In the second half the ten men of "United" took the lead with a goal by Charlie Yeates as he slotted the ball into the goal from close range. The lead was extended further when Alfie Headland smashed the ball into the goal from very close range. The game ended with a great 2-0 away victory for Eastbourne Utd AFC after a turgid second half performance from Lingfield which was duly punished.

A struggling Little Common (14th) were at home playing the team one place above them in the division AFC Varndeanians (13th). However Little Common had four games in hand to compete with AFC Varndeanians who have five points more. Previous games between these two teams have generally gone in favour of Little Common but the result could be different as Little Common had lost their last three games. A few minutes into the game a penalty was awarded to Little Common which was converted by Sam Cruttwell. Soon afterwards James Miriam-Batchelor doubled the lead which they held up to half time. In the second half the "Vs" pulled a goal back with a goal by Marc Goldson which was then cancelled out straight away by a goal for the home side by Lewis Parsons The lead was increased further firstly by Sam Cruttwell and later by Jamie Bunn and finally just before full time Lewis Hole scored to give Little Common a 6 - 1 home victory.

Another top versus the bottom game involved Steyning Town (4th) travelling up to play Loxwood (18th) at the "Pavilion". Steyning Town were striving to get to the top of the division, whereas Loxwood were striving to move up away from the relegation zone. The "Magpies" won the game earlier in the season and they were aiming to repeat that victory over the high flying Barrowmen". The situation at half time had Steyning Town just in the lead with a goal scored by Dominic Johnson-Fisher as the result of a swift counter attack. In the second half Steyning Town doubled their lead with a goal by Marc Gballou Lida which Loxwood promptly reduced with a converted penalty by Luca Page. The healthy lead was then reinstated by Grant Radmore and the final goal was scored by Faris Khallougi which gave the "December Team of the Month" Steyning Town a 4-1 away victory and they moved up to third place in the division.

Newhaven (2nd) were playing on their 3G artificial pitch at the "Trafalgar Ground" against AFC Uckfield Town (16th) in another top against bottom fixture. Newhaven had lost their last game whereas AFC Uckfield Town had won their last game, so anything could happen. Games between these two teams had seen the results flipped from team to team but the "Dockers" were hoping to repeat their early season win over the "Oakmen". On a day of early goals, Charlie Bennett put Newhaven ahead very early in the first half with a goal which was doubled by Lee Robinson just before the break. In the second half lots of goals were scored, first Harvey Burgess scored for AFC Uckfield Town then it was all Newhaven with goals by Lucas Franzen Jones, a second goal for Lee Robinson, a second goal for Lucas Franzen-Jones and finally Demas Ramsis in added time. All these goals gave Newhaven a 6-1 home victory. after a great team performance by the "Dockers" side and a bad day at the office for the "Oakmen".

There are altogether a total of seven fixtures in the Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League to be played but clubs should be aware of the colder weather forecast from the "Pest from the West" with possible frosts again.

The weather was still showing signs of warming-up so there was lots of hope about the mid-week fixtures being played. There was a total of five fixtures in the Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League to be played. The Sussex County F.A."Parafix" Senior Challenge Cup. 2nd round Midhurst and Easebourne playing Eastbourne Utd AFC at "home" at Lancing on the 3G all weather pitch has been postponed.

AFC Uckfield Town (16th) were looking to break their run of seven defeats when Little Common (14th) went to the "Oaks" as they tried for their first win of 2023. Little Common had four games in hand over their opponents and were five points better placed. AFC Uckfield Town went ahead with a goal from Harvey Burgess and soon afterwards Dee Okojie was denied a debut goal by the linesman's flag. A great long range shot by Freddie Warren levelled the score but then Harvey Burgess put the "Oakmen" back in front just before halftime. Finally AFC Uckfield Town ended their run of defeats with a great 2-1 home win which was much needed and well deserved.

Boadbridge Heath (3rd) are looking to play a catch up game and welcome Eastbourne Utd AFC (6th) to the "Countryside Stadium" in what could be a difficult game for both teams. Both teams are playing well having both won their last two games. The volunteers have been working hard to prepare the pitch which is in great condition. In a very tight and hotly contested game it ended all square at half time with no goals scored. A little while into the second half the deadlock was broken when Eastbourne Utd AFC took the lead with a goal by Charlie Ball. Eastbourne Utd AFC went down to ten players late in the second half when Ridwan Euba was sent off for getting two yellow cards. However Eastbourne Utd AFC hung on to record a massive 1-0 victory which completed a perfect January and the win moved them one place up the division.

Aiming to repeat their win of last Saturday, Horsham YMCA (11th) welcomed Saltdean United (18th) to the "Herbert Direct Stadium". "YMCA" were in a mid table position but the "Tigers" were struggling at the bottom of the division. Saltdean Utd took an early first half lead with an Own Goal when Thai Beebee whipped a ball into the penalty area which fell to Sam Henderson who attempted to clear but he only put the ball into the bottom corner of his goal. Horsham YMCA fought back immediately to equalise with a bang. A corner ball came to Joshua Neathey who sent a screamer from a tight angle into the roof of the goal. Sekou Toure then had a goal disallowed for an earlier offside but it ended all square at halftime. Soon after the start of the second half, the "Tigers" took the when Yolo Mwafu crossed the ball to Corby Ovendean who slotted the ball nicely into the bottom right corner of the goal. Not to be downhearted, YMCA took only a few minutes for Joshua Neathey to score his second goal to equalise when his corner ball flew directly into the top corner of the goal. Yet again Salford Utd took the lead when a pass from Yolo Mwafu was headed by Marley Ambler into the goal at the back post. Yet again Horsham YMCA came back to equalise when a rifling low drive across the box from Archie Goddard was deflected into the goal for an Own Goal. The game ended in a 3-3 draw with honours even in a hard fought, value for money game.

Loxwood (17th) had a difficult game as they welcomed the division leaders Crawley Down Gatwick (1st) to the "Pavilion". The "Anvils" had not been beaten in the division since mid October and were now on a ten game winning streak. Meanwhile Loxwood were struggling near the bottom of the division as they developed their team with young players. With a piece of magic, Michael Wood opened the scoring for Broadbridge Heath midway through the first half then Jay Popham equalised when he followed up to collect a ball rebounding from the crossbar and scored to be all square at the interval. The second half saw the "Anvils" take the lead with a goal by Mark Zydonik. A tough game but the hard earned points went to Crawley Down Gatwick with a 2-1 victory and they stayed top of the division.

On Wednesday, Bexhill United (8th) welcomed Crowbourough Athletic (9th) to the "Polegrove", a game between two mid table teams next to each other in the division and only separated by one point. Both teams are slightly inconsistent so the result could go to either team. Although there were plenty of chances for both teams in the first half,none were converted and it ended goalless at halftime. Midway through the second half, a free kick by Harry Forster was flicked on by Lucas Murrain to be finished by Harvey Killick. With no more goals in the second half Crowborough Athletic gained a 1-0 away victory which meant that they moved above Bexhill United in the division.

The weather is getting better and better as the Season now starts to progress. There are a total of ten fixtures in the Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League to be played on Saturday.