Hat-trick of defeats for clubs

Russell Eldridge gave Little Common the lead away to Saltdean United, but they ended up losing the game 3-1

Rye United went down 1-0 away to Pagham in Division One, while in Division Two, Little Common lost 3-1 at Saltdean United and Westfield slumped 2-1 at home to Mile Oak.

Rye failed to score for the fourth time in five completed matches and they remain without a victory since January 11 after a second half goal from Michael Frangou gave Pagham the points.

Common’s run of seven points from a possible nine was ended by a Saltdean side now unbeaten in five games. Player-manager Russell Eldridge gave Common the lead on the hour, but they conceded three times thereafter.

Westfield suffered a third straight defeat despite Aaron Parris putting them ahead. A Mile Oak side which won away to FA Vase semi-finalists Eastbourne United AFC three days earlier turned the match around through a Jamie Watts double.

See Friday’s Observers for full reports. Bexhill United were without a fixture.

Standings (played-points) - Division 1: 1 East Preston 24-66, 2 Littlehampton Town 27-55, 3 Crowborough Athletic 29-54, 4 East Grinstead Town 27-53, 5 Hassocks 26-48, 6 Horsham YMCA 27-47, 7 Pagham 26-38, 8 Dorking Wanderers 26-37, 9 St Francis Rangers 28-37, 10 Selsey 29-35, 11 Chichester City 29-35, 12 Ringmer 26-33, 13 Newhaven 24-29, 14 Lingfield 25-29, 15 Shoreham 25-29, 16 RYE UNITED 23-26, 17 Arundel 23-24, 18 Lancing 28-24, 19 Hailsham Town 23-19, 20 Worthing United 25-5.

Division 2: 1 Eastbourne United AFC 24-60, 2 Loxwood 24-57, 3 Broadbridge Heath 23-51, 4 Haywards Heath Town 25-48, 5 LITTLE COMMON 25-40, 6 BEXHILL UNITED 25-37, 7 Steyning Town 21-35, 8 Wick & Barnham United 24-33, 9 Mile Oak 21-32, 10 AFC Uckfield 23-29, 11 WESTFIELD 22-28, 12 Saltdean United 24-23, 13 Oakwood 21-22, 14 Storrington 26-22, 15 Midhurst & Easebourne 24-18, 16 Rustington 26-17, 17 Seaford Town 26-17.