Town travelled to Hassocks on Saturday to close off the 2022/23 season. Hassocks looked to build on a win against Lingfield to finish in the top 10 for the first time in 9 years. Town looked to end their season on the high following a poor few games loosing against United and Newhaven and drawing to Peacehaven.

Last time these sides faced each other, Town were edged out by Hassocks on a cold valentines night. Town made two changes, moving Finlay Tarrant to right back and Leon Greig back into midfield.

The half began with some anxious defending from Town and the ball in the net for Hassocks. It looked as though the hosts had taken a lead until the referee put his flag up for offside.  Hassocks then had a shot forcing Winterton into a save. Twn forced a save out of opposition goalkeeper, James shaw. In the first 10 minutes, possession was fairly equal with Town growing into the game after the disallowed goal scare.

Holman slotted one into the net, but just like down the other end, the flag went up for offside. Town charged forwards once again, Holman forced the keeper into a save before Greig tried to score on the rebound but no success. Moments later, Hassocks charged up the pitch and scored, and this time it counted.

Town were 1-0 down once again for the third time in 3 games. The game went into a lull as neither team had any form of creation. It was almost as if both teams were playing for formalities. Town went in at the break losing 1-0. 

The second half did not start with improvement for Town with Hassocks controlling the ball within their own half and firing in a few set pieces. Holman looked like the only Town player with any sort of threat going forwards. Hassocks forced a save by Winterton at the near post with a low shot from Joe Bull. Following that, the subsiquent corner, Hassocks had a long shot from Jack Troak which rocketed into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to The Robbins.

Town looked to respond with a cross sent in by Leon Greig but Holman fired it way over. Tarrant, was replaced by Samways who looked to boost the attacking threat. Then Barlow was brought on giving town now a largely attacking side. This gung-ho approach was towns last chance to get something from this game. Town looked to be growing in the game. The ref then had more glares as Davies was barrelled over by Troak. Town began to look hopeless despite all the attacking players.

The game had yet another lull as neither side looked like they were proficient in attack. It looked as though it was going to be an unceremonious end to an overall successful season for Town as we entered the final 10 minutes. Things got worse, Sisimayi commits a foul and received a booking. This gave Hassocks a perfect opportunity to make it towns second 3-0 loss of the season. And indeed they did with a smart play and a poor pass from Murphy leaving Leon Turner open who placed it top right hand corner to make it 3-0 to the Robbins.

Moments later, Town found the net for a consolation goal with Barlow executing a perfect touch and chip over James Shaw to make it 3-1. The celebrations were shortlived and things went from bad to worse as Alex Brewer was left open in the box who headed it home for Hassocks to make it 4-1.

With that the 2022/23 season came to a close. On the sunny South Downs, the season ended with a poor run of 3 defeats on the bounce but overall foundations were built with a completely new, young and talented side with a bright future ahead.

As the Saffrons welcomed fans for the final home game of the season, there was a sense of apprehension in the air. We welcomed the top scorers in the league who have been ruthless in-front of goal scoring 112 goals before this match including scoring 11 in one game against Roffey. Town were forced into a late change to the starting 11 as Anesu Sisimayi got injured in the warmup and forced Callum Barlow onto the pitch. Town were looking to come back from two disappointing games on the bounce to end the season on the high while Newhaven continued to push towards a promotion playoff and potential Isthmian League football next season. 

Newhaven were the first to threaten with a corner in the second minute. The corner was headed into the bottom corner by Tarun Rohilla to make it 1-0. An early blow for Town who were looking to improve on a poor performance five days before. Town then looked to respond with Callum Barlow but then it was straight up the other end for another corner to The Dockers. Winterton saved one unfortunately parrying it to a Newhaven head but Jack Murphy was there to head it away. 

Town then began to grow into the game with Holman firing into the box but Billy Barker was there to stop Barlow having a shot. Delwin Duah then had a good opportunity to play a pass forwards to Holman but he scuffed it. Town held more possession but it was The Dockers who looked the most promising with chances with a cross narrowly missing the foot of Franzen- Jones. Newhaven then beat Winterton who was off his line with Lukas Franzen- Jones looking clear but a wonderful slide from Hover blocked it to keep the deficit at one. Town again had more possession but very little chance, a running theme of late. Then after a stoppage in play, Harry Reed forced a diving save from Winterton. Duah then had a shot from range working the Newhaven keeper for the first time in the half. Lukas Franzen Jones then turned Hover but again Winterton had it covered. Shortly after, Duah had another shot on range going just wide. At the end of the half, Newhaven had another corner, the preferred choice of threat for The Dockers. This time the ref gave a free kick due to a Oscar worthy dive from the Newhaven man. Then Charlie Bennet slid through the defence but the chance was saved by Winterton who looked on form. It was Town who dominated possession, but The Dockers who anchored to stop any advances and had the better of the chances leading 1-0 at the break. 

Town needed a response in this half to avoid it being a second loss on the bounce for the first time since October. 5 minutes into the half, Holman had a great run forwards beating all 4 defenders before opting to pass into empty space rather than shoot. Then Newhaven had a penalty shout as Billy Barker going down in the box but the ref said dive. Then disaster for Town as Harry Reed fired a rocket into the back of the net to put Town at a 2-0 deficit for the first time since Crowborough in January. The game then slowed down as Town seemed to loose confidence. Things went from bad to worse as Newhaven got a third as a pass across got tapped in at the front post by  Lukas Franzen Jones to make it 3-0.  Town looked dilapidated of any energy and as the rain poured down the game became almost a tiki taka competition from hell. Town passed it about. Then Newhaven passed it about and after a quiet final 15 mins, it was Newhaven who won 3-0 to add to Town’s Woes.

Town travel to Hassocks for the final day of the season hoping someone can be a beacon at hope at the Beacon. 

Attendance: 194

Written by: Mackenzie whitehouse

The game started eventfully with the venues being switched to The Saffrons last minute. Town (now playing at home) looked to improve on a disappointing 1-1 draw against Peacehaven to bolster their hopes of achieving their season aim to finish in thre top four. United started a squad where 6/10 of the outfield players used to wear the Yellow and Blue. Town made 3 changes from the lineup on Saturday switching Duah, Davies and Sisimayi with Samways, Peacock and Barlow. 

The game started with United threatening with an early free kick however the shot from the cross goes wide. The pitch looked sodden in game play but thankfully the game carried on as scheduled. In the 7th minute, Winterton was forced into a double save as United took a free kick the game somehow stayed 0-0. Then United went on the attack again with Bailo Camara having a shot on target. Then, 14 minutes in, Town had a shot towards goal with a United player heading it backwards from a free kick. There were a lot of fouls in the first 20 exactly how a derby should be however from free kicks United it was United who offered the biggest threat. United controlled first 20 minutes with with Jack Murphy forced to make a goal line clearance. Then it was Town on the counter attack with Samways however Peacock placed it wide. The game had a slow ish tempo to it with standing water and both sides playing dirty the game almost felt like the NFL. Fletcher Holman wasn’t going to let the conditions scarper his skill with a slip being salvaged into a skill move and a cross being sent in. 

Then in the 30th minute, United scored beating Winterton with a shot by Charlie Ball into the left hand corner. Then United had a shot from range sent wide. Town looked off the pace. Then United had another attack with another long shot going wide. Then Town had some attacks with a nice pass to Barlow unfortunately not reaching the towering centre forward’s head. Former Town winger turned wingback Taggart sent a cross in which was claimed by Winterton, but Town went in at the break 1-0 down. 

The second half started with doubts of wether the pitch could survive 45 minutes however Town were looking to improve on a dire first half. Town got a free kick at the start of the first half as Barlow went on an attack and there was a handball on the edge of the box. The free kick came unfortunately to nothing. Then United had yet another long shot forcing Winterton into an acrobatic save. 

Then Town pressured Broadbent with new substitute Ollie Davies however the ball rolled just wide, agonising for a frustrated Town bench. Town slowly but surely looked to be growing into the game 60 minutes late. Then James Waters had a volley from range which went just wide of the post. Town played some promising runs forwards however Barlow couldn’t get his boot on it. Davies looked to be providing more promise to the Town game. Then the game slowed again as the pitch began to resemble marshland. Taggart then fizzed one across the box thankfully for Town it didn’t go in.  Then Town attacked from a corner with Hover heading, the keeper fumbling but the chance wasn’t taken. 

Town looked desperate upping the tempo slightly but still no luck. United weren’t done forcing Winterton into a save. Town frantically looked to attack with plenty of set pieces, however that shot evaded them and United continue to scramble it away.  Then Holman made a run and was taken down in the box but the ref said no pen. From the corner, Hover heads it painfully wide. Then another scramble was cleared by United and the game ended 1-0. 

Town welcome Newhaven to The Saffrons on Saturday as they look to add to The Docker’s woes following a 4-0 thumping to Peacehaven. 

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photo by: Josh Claxton and Joe Knight

Town entered the weekend looking to build on their emphatic win against AFC Varndeanins against a Peacehaven side who have not played a Saturday afternoon game in almost a month. Following elimination from the FA Vase, Peacehaven have managed 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw and sat before the game in 8th just 4 points shy of Town. 

Peacehaven started the game quickly forcing Winterton into an early claim from a corner. Then Town went on the attack with a great attacking play leading to Fletcher Holman skying it. Peacehaven then looked a threat again from a set piece however the header from the corner was fired over. Peacehaven came charging forwards in the 12 minute with Callum Edwards one on one with Winterton however the chip over goed wide giving a sigh of relief to the team who has gone almost a month without conceding.  15 mins in, it looked like Peacehaven were the most likely to score with them having a few positive crosses into the box. Then it was Town with the attack with Fletcher Holman beating his man and crossing it in, however Ollie Davies couldn’t get on the end of it. Town were loosing out on every arial duel. The game went quiet for the next 15 mins with few chances for either side and fairly even possession. 

Then in the 31st minute Town had their breakthrough. Davies played through to Holman who skilled the Peacehaven defender and slotted it into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Town! Then, neither team had any convincing changes until a free kick was sent in by Leon Greig, meets Chappell before Hover scuffs it however the Lino puts his flag up to save his blushes. Then Ollie Davies came charging forwards being 1 on 1 with the keeper however Davies shoots it wide to keep the deficit to 1. At the end of the first half, Peacehaven had a corner which was claimed nicely by Chris Winterton and the half ended 1-0 to Town. 

The second half started with Peacehaven firing a few shots into the box. However a reckless tackle from Harry Pollard into Anesu Sisimayi reduced Peacehaven to 10 men. That challenge definitely took the peace out of Peacehaven.Sisimayi survived without injury but Peacehaven on the other hand looked dented. Town then had a corner which fell to Holman on the edge of the box, however it slides just wide. James Waters then looks like Albion player Kaoru Mitoma with skilful moves in the box, however he skies the shot. Town looked energised but the FA Vase Quarter finalists weren’t going down without a fight going forwards with promise however failing to provide a shot on target. 

Peacehaven kept providing threats with Edwards and Marshall with Town attempting to counter attack with Sisimayi and Waters. Then saving a shot, Winterton required treatment allowing Jude to get the groups mind focused. It was important Town did not get complacent with the man advantage.  Davies then skinned Ross Barclay ( not that one) however Waters couldn’t finish the shot. 

Town were forced to scramble it away multiple times halfway through the second half as Town looked to loose their composure. Holman then came forward looking for a vital second goal however the pass to Waters in the box was cut out. Callum Barlow was then brought on for Davies in an attempt to end Towns arial struggles. Barlow instantly looked a threat almost getting his head on a corner but the keeper had it covered. Greig then put in a free kick which deflected off a Peacehaven defender who forced his own keeper into a quick reaction save. 

Peacehaven then thought they had got one back courtesy of Mikey Lloyd however the Lino put his flag the opposite way. However the ref didn’t listen to his own assistant making it 1-1. Then Peacehaven headed it toward goal beating Winterton but Nathan Hover was able to head it off the goal line. 

Town then went on a great run with Samways before a in the box scramble lead to a throw in. The throw in went back to Samways who’s shot hit the Peacehaven defender and no one could get onto the ball again. From a long throw Barlow went back to his centre back ways and headed it out before the ball from Sisimayi got to Hover who headed it just over the bar. Then Peacehaven went on a run with Deen having a long shot going wide. Callum Barlow came charging 1 on 1 following a stoppage looking for a last minute  winner however the keeper had an easy catch in the end. Barlow then was on the receiving end of a cross from Leon Geig however the header was saved. Despite both teams best efforts, it ended 1-1. 

Town face United at The Oval on Monday morning at 11am in the Eastbourne derby.

They welcome high flying Newhaven on Saturday for their final home game of the season

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photos by: Josh Claxton

After a wonderful title win for the women it was time to end the season on the high as Rick Tate’s women looked to win confidently and prove they deserve this title. The faced a challenging home game to Brighton Seagals who they faced just 4 weeks ago in the reverse fixture. A win today would provide the icing on the cake for a team who have had a tumultuous turnaround this season from having to desperately gather a squad of 11 to being in possession of silverware. The weather was beautiful as teams took to the field one final time for the season. 

The game started slowly with all the game being played in the Seagals half. Town fired a few attacking runs at the defence but no shots on target. Until the 14th minute when Charlotte Long had a shot which was saved but it was Geri Burt who finished the shot to make it 1-0 to Town and proved why they are champions. 

The game then became a midfield affair with neither keeper worked. Then Town scored again from a set piece, a scramble was placed nicely in by Georgina Thornton- Barter to make it 2-0 to Town. 

Town looked like a team ready to go up and they made it clear this game was not just a formality. Geri Burt looked to make it a brace in the 40th minute and was clear on goal however somehow she missed it and it remained 2-0. Then she went forward again however she placed it just wide again. Town dominated the chances in the first half as Seagals provided very little in the Town half. So just like the men on Saturday, the women went in at the break 2 goals to the good infront of a healthy Saffrons crowd. 

The second half started with intensity as both sides looked to finish the season with a good final half. Geri Burt again provided danger for Town charging at the Seagals keeper however nothing came of the chance. Then, Seagals had a nice strike forcing the town keeper into a save. Town started the second half poorly however as Seagals were allowed another chance on goal infuriating Rick Tate. Town played most of the game in their own half and following an inhaler break from a Town player, now was the time to switch on. Seagals went on the attack again charging down the middle however the town keeper saved it.

Town entered their half at least however overall it was Seagals who dominated the half until then. Geri Burt then went on an attack and looked to make it 3 for town however she placed it just wide. It then became a midfield affair again before right at the end, Geri Burt hit the post. The brace did not seem to be coming for her in this game no matter how hard she tried. 

The game ended 2-0 as the celebrations erupted at The Saffrons. The women could now relax and take in their achievements complete with lots of champagne and confetti.  Congratulations once again to everyone involved in the women’s team! 

Manager Rick Tate celebrating the title with a bottle of champagne

The women celebrating at full time.

Photos and report by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Town looked to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Horsham YMCA, at home to, AFC Varndeanians.

Town still in the battle to finish within the top 4, Varndeanians looking for their first win in the league in 12. Last time out, it took a last minute winner from Tyler Capon to gain the 3 points but Town were hoping to win more convincingly this time out. Jude MacDonald made 2 changes to the lineup with James waters and Jack Samways replacing Anesu Sisimayi (absent due to personal reasons) and Ollie Davies dropped to the bench. The bench also contained u23s manager Sean Lee and u23s graduate Anthony Gill. 

The game started with Town on the front foot, firing plenty of balls into the Vardeanians but the visitors dealt with them well. Fletcher Holman, now occupying the 7 position, fired one over in the 6th minute providing relief to the visitors. The game then became a midfield battle with neither team dominating the possession and a few sloppy passes on each side. 20 mins in and you would have to say it was Fletcher Holman providing the most threat with a few promising runs forwards, however, very few shots were taken.

In the 20th minute, Leon Greig sent a good cross over to Callum Barlow however he fires it just wide. Town began to dominate the ball with Holman and Peacock putting in balls into the box but still no clear chance on goal. Holman finally made a clear chance in the 26th minute going around the defender having a shot that was saved but he was there for the follow up to place it beautifully into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Town! Holman was in the mood, a few minutes later, Alfie Peacock passed it to Holman in the box and forced Hawkins into a save. Leon Greig then made another good cross into the box, however, it evades the incoming Samways. Then, Alfie Peacock fired a long shot which flew straight into the top left corner to make it 2-0 to Town. That’s 2 screamers for the Hastings loanee for Town in the last 4. Then Peacock looked for his second with a nice pass from Holman however he can’t take his chance. The teams went in at halftime with Town leading 2-0 

The second half started slowly until Holman came charging forwards about 10 mins into the half and became one-on-one with the keeper. However, the ball somehow went wide to leave the score at 2-0. Varndeanins entered the half giving it a proper go, looking to achieve the impossible, however, they did not work Chris Winterton. Then out of nowhere, Town on the attack in the 67th minute with Fletcher Holman flying forward, squared it perfectly and was finished nicely by James waters to make it 3-0. Then 2 minutes later, Town hammered another nail in the coffin with Fletcher Holman finishing in a 1 on 1 making it 4-0 to Town.

It then became men against boys as Holman looked to make it a hat trick however the keeper was able to place it slightly wide. Varndeanians looked defeated. Varndeanians then had a long shot forcing a wonderful diving save from Winterton. Then in the 86th minute, James Waters fizzed a ball into Holman who connected with a brilliant headed, leaving the keeper rooted, to secure the high flying youngster his second hat trick of the season and making it 5-0 to Town in the process.

The game ended 5-0 in-front of a raucous Town crowd. A result that puts Town into 4th. 

Town welcome Peacehaven to the Saffrons next week before heading to The Oval on Easter Monday for The Eastbourne Derby. 

Attendance: 212 

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photography: Josh Claxton

Town looked to build on a promising draw against Broadbridge Heath at home in their push for the top 4. Adam Davidson was out of the squad due to injury and was replaced by Macca Stiles on the bench. Horsham YMCA on the other hand were looking to get their first win in 10.

The game started quickly with Alfie Peacock forcing a save from Aaron Jeal after just 2 minutes.  After 7 mins, panic for Town as Josh Neathy went down to the box but the ref does not point to the spot. In the first 10, the YM made the most forward runs however Winterton remained unworked. The first shot on target from the YM was registered after 11 mins by Tom Tolfrey however it was a simple catch for Winterton.

There was a second penalty call for YM as Sekou Toure lost a 50/50 however the ref gave it as a handball and a free kick to town. YM dominated possession for the next 10 mins making promising charges forwards before Cal Barlow made one of his charges forwards outmuscling his man. However, the ball flew over the net. Then Ollie Davies left the defence at sixes and sevens making himself open on goal but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

Callum Barlow then forced his way through the defence and squared it to Holman who hits the crossbar. That’s 3 times hes struck the frame of the goal in 2 games. In the 40th minute, a sloppy pass back forced Jeal into a race against the ball. However, Jeal won the race and it remained goalless. 0-0 at he break.

The second half started slowly with neither keepers particularly being worked. Then The YM went on a counter attack and they penetrated the defence, Winterton was forced into a save as Jude MacDonald and the bench took a sigh of relief. Waters and Samways came on to help Town attack and they began to play on the front foot. However frustratingly, Waters fails to finish a shot served to him on a plate. Waters then slices a shot well wide from a throw in.

The game then become Town dominated however in the final third we just could not find the net. YM finally had a shot in the half but nothing of trouble, as it sailed safely over the bar. Leon Greig was then sin-binned, leaving Town down to 10 for the final 10 minutes. It felt as though there was a mountain to climb as The YM used this ejection as fuel to charge forwards. However, Town responded well and remained defensively resolved, and attacking well. Town forced the keeper down in added time with a Samways shot however as with most of this game Town couldn’t create convert their chances.

It was a frustrating day at the office for Town, with the game ending 0-0. 

It’s a doubleheader next week at the saffrons as the men host AFC Varndeanians on Saturday the 1st and the women host Brighton Seagalls on the 2nd where they will celebrate their title win.

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse

Photography: Josh Claxton

As one of the few games still going ahead on Saturday this game was always going to be the talk of the league. Town looked to make it 5 wins on the bounce while Broadbridge Heath looked to extend the gap at the top of the table. Broadbridge Heath were without Ryan Brackpool due to suspension and Ollie Davies returns to the Town starting lineup after being dropped to the bench against Loxwood last weekend. 

There was no goal for Town in the first 3 minutes as there were in their previous 2 fixtures, however, against one of the best teams in the league, that was always going to be a tall order. The first shot of the game came 7 minutes in when a left footed shot from Fletcher Holman went just wide. Broadbridge Heath responded with a shot by Barbary, forcing a save from Winterton. The visitors charged forwards again a minute later with Barbary heading but Winterton repeats his heroics.

Adam Davidson was forced off with an injury in his 475th appearance after just 15 minutes putting a bitter end to a landmark game. A suspected ACL could put an end to his season. Broadbridge then hit the post from range causing heart palpitations from the Town bench. Town looked miles off the pace in the first 20 mins. Alfie Peacock look as if he provided a new sense of attack and urgency for Town and in the 21st minute the ball fell to Callum Barlow in the box who placed it in to make it 1-0 to Town. Fletcher Holman made a few skillful runs forwards however the possession predominantly belonged to The Bears. Towards the end of the half, the Bears made a frantic attacking phase forcing Town to scramble it away multiple times. While Broadbridge Heath lead in possession stats, it was Town that led the scoreline at half time. 

Town started the second half slowly infuriating Jude MacDonald with the Bears having numerous shots at goal. Broadbridge began to look like league leaders, however, in the final third they were poor and Winterton wasn’t worked. In the 55th minute, Town appealed for what looked like a dangerous free kick however the referee gave it as a dive.

A promising run by Terry ( Sean not John) beat Murphy however he drags the shot just wide. Town went on the counter attack with Fletcher Holman shooting, it looked like the inform forward scored but it hit the inside of the post and deflected out. The Bears continued to dominate possession however the equaliser continued to evade them. Then the inevitable happened, some disastrous defending lead to Broadbridge equalising courtesy of Charlie Parmiter.

Town looked to respond charging forwards with Jack Samways firing a shot which was saved. Fletcher Holman made a charging run but once again he hits the post. Broadbridge continued to beat Towns defenders, however, very few shots hit the target. Mason Doughty and Charlie Parmiter caused havoc on the wings but Town remained resolute in the middle of the park.

Broadbridge looked as though they could find a winner, however, Mason Doughty kept firing them wide, providing sighs of relief to the Town boys. Broadbridge then had an appeal turned down by the referee who, like in the first half, deemed it simulation and refused to point to the spot. Both teams were looking for an equaliser in added time with Parmiter for the Bears and Waters for Town charging forwards. However, despite both team’s best efforts, it ended 1-1 at The Saffrons. 

Attendance: 264 

Town travel to Horsham YMCA next week

Written by: Mackenzie Whitehouse
Photography: David Tungate