The big game on Saturday is the Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final between Littlehampton Town and Loughborough Students at the "Sportsfield" in front of a huge crowd of over 3000. The other semi-final game in the competition between Newport Pagnell Town and Hamworthy United is also being played today.

The big game on the Saturday of Week 36 was the Buildbase FA Vase Semi-Final between Littlehampton Town and Loughborough Students at the "Sportsfield" in front of a sold out huge crowd of over 3000 home supporters. The other semi-final game in the competition between Newport Pagnell Town and Hamworthy United was also played today.

In front of a record breaking, noisy and excited ground, full of supporters from both teams, the game got underway with both teams knowing that they were only one step away from the final at Wembley Stadium. After a delayed start due to crowd congestion, George Gaskin gave the "Golds" a real boost by scoring within the first minute. Later in the first half, Littlehampton Town went further ahead when Jordan Clark headed home a corner ball. Whilst Loughborough Students struggled to find any form in the second half, the "Golds" further increased their lead as Shay Wiggans scored a goal. After a great run by Dion Jarvis who passed the ball to George Gaskin who scored his second goal, the tension is mounting !!!. They have done it, Littlehampton Town have won 4-0 and will play in the final against Newport Pagnell Town on Sunday 22nd May 2022 at Wembley Stadium. Littlehampton Town were much the better team and well deserved their place in the final after setting up a plan and sticking to it to disrupt the Visitors. Newport Pagnell Town were 1-1 at full time against Hamworthy United but the Home side went on to win 7-6 on penalties.

In Week 36 with cup games and the season coming to an end, there were only four games in the Southern Combination Football League, Premier Division to be played on the Saturday. With East Preston already relegated. both Loxwood and AFC Varndeanians had a game each against higher placed opposition which they had to try very hard to win to avoid being the second relegated team at the end of the season.

Crawley Down Gatwick welcomed Broadbridge Heath to the "Haven" for a rearranged fixture following heavy rain just before kick-off which caused the postponement of the original fixture. Both teams are in comfortable mid table positions and look out of the championship race and also safe from relegation. After a very even start Crawley Down Gatwick were awarded a free kick wide on the right. After a poor delivery the ball arrived at the back post to be tapped in by Charlie Pitcher. A few minutes later a ball was played through to Lewis Croal who was through on goal and slotted the ball home, a well worked goal. As the second half neared the end, Lewis Croal scored after juggling with the ball and then lobbing it over the defender and advancing goalkeeper which secured a 2-1 win for Broadbridge Heath.

East Preston travelled to play Little Common and must now think of rebuilding for next season now that they have been relegated. East Preston took a very early lead when Matthew Woodward scored which was then equalised by Jamie Crone and some time later the Home side took the lead with goals from Johnny Walker and Lewis Hole. The lead was increased later in the first half when Lewis Croal scored his second goal of the game. The lead was extended in the second half by Jamie Crone scoring his second goal. Little Common were not finished scoring as Johnny Walker scored his second goal and Lewis Hole completed his hattrick. East Preston pulled a goal back in the final minutes of the game but it was not enough to deny Little Common a 7-2 victory.

Loxwood played Peacehaven and Telscombe at the "Pavilion" with the intention of halting their run of three defeats against a team now used to winning games. Mid-way through the first half, Charlie Morley beat a defender and crossed low to Max Hollobone who swept the ball home to give Peacehaven and Telscombe the lead at halftime. With no more goals in the second half, Peacehaven and Telscombe travelled home with a narrow 1-0 victory leaving Loxwood in defeat and staring at relegation with East Preston.

AFC Varndeanians travelled west along the coast to play Pagham at "Nyetimber Lane" With the Home side struggling on a three game losing streak and the Visitors boyuant on a three game winning streak the game was important to both teams for differing reasons. Pagham took an early lead with a goal from Grant Radmore which was later equalised for the Visitors by Alistair Rianford after some more good play. Later in the second half AFC Varndeannians went into the lead with a goal scored by Tommy Boyle to record a 2-1 victory, their fourth victory in a row and they moved further away from the relegation zone.

There are two Week 37 midweek Premier Division games in the Southern Combination Football League. One involves Littlehampton Town visiting the "Saffron's" to play Eastbourne Town and the second game sees East Preston play at home to Steyning Town at the "Roundstone" One midweek cup game has Newhaven against Pagham in the second semi-final of the Southern Combination Football League. Peter Bentley Challenge Cup. The game is being played on the 3G pitch at the "Birchwood Ground" the home of Steyning Town.

During Week 36, there is a real mixture of games arranged to be played on various days. On Monday there is the battle of all battles as second to bottom AFC Varndeanians welcome bottom club East Preston to the "Withdean Stadium" which may sort out the relegation positions in the Premier Division of the Southern Combination Football League. On Tuesday, two very close mid-table teams will meet as Lingfield host Little Common at the "Pavilion".

After a good win on Saturday, AFC Varndeanians piled the pressure on East Preston by defeating them with a 7-0 victory, which moved the "V's" out of the relegation zone two points above Loxwood. Dan Huet started the scoring for the home side in the first few minutes with a header which was followed near to halftime by a goal from Tommy Boyle after he collected a rebound and scored from close range. Into the second half, AFC Varndeanians went on a scoring bonanza. Tommy Boyle scored his second goal by slotting the ball past the advancing goalkeeper followed by two quick goals from Alexander Rainford from close range. Just before full time Tommy Boyle completed his hat trick after a defensive mix-up which just left time for Matthew Waterman to get onto the scoresheet with a low drilled free kick..

Saltdean Utd took an early lead with a goal scored by Kieron Pamment but Newhaven had plenty of chances to equalise but were thwarted by the home side's goalkeeper so the half time whistle saw Saltdean Utd have a narrow lead. As no more goals were scored in the second half Saltdean Utd got a 1-0 victory and now await to see who they will be playing in the S.C.F.A. R.U.R Charity Cup Final.

Little Common took an early lead against home side Lingfield when Lewis Hole scored and that was the score at halftime as Lingfield looked unlikely to score an equaliser. However Sam Clements did equalise early in the second half for Lingfield but then Lewis Parsons put Little Common back into the lead again and they finished with a 2-1 win over Lingfield who had tried very hard all night and the result could have gone either way.

With cup games and the season coming to an end, in Week 36, there are only four games in the Southern Combination Football League, Premier Division to be played on Saturday. With East Preston already relegated. both Loxwood and AFC Varndeanians have a game each against higher placed opposition which they must try to win to avoid being the second relegated team at the end of the season.