Burgess Hill issued a warning to their title rivals by crushing promoted Peacehaven 5-0 at Piddinghoe Avenue.

After a trio of championships in the Nineties, the Hillians have finished runners-up for the last two seasons.

By their own standards it must have been disappointing to miss out but Saturday's result suggests Gary Croydon's side are determined not to do so again.

The match was over by the 20th minute by which time Lee Isaac, Steve Harper and Ashley Carr had fired the Hillians into a three goal lead.

Peacehaven made a tactical change late in the first half, bringing on former Horsham YMCA defender Peter Durrant for midfielder Paul Preece, and they looked more composed after the break.

However, Richard Carter added a fourth on 68 minutes and Harper made it a high five with the final goal 16 minutes from time.

Hillians boss Gary Croydon said: "To win 5-0 away to Peacehaven is a thunderous result.

"We were breathtaking in the first half hour and went 3-0 up. It was just a case of containing them after that.

"It's only the first game of the season but you can't ask for much more than that."

The other two promoted sides both made winning starts. Hailsham Town beat Littlehampton 1-0 at The Beaconsfield thanks to a first-half strike from Kevin Isted, who converted a Phil Rhodes flick on.

Manager Mark Leaney said: "We didn't play well but if we cannot play well and get three points I'll be happy.

"I thought Littlehampton deserved a point. They pushed us in the second half and had a couple of chances."

Southwick won by the same scoreline at home to Wick, who are expected to be title contenders.

Tony Holden scored the only goal on 72 minutes to make it a triumphant start for new boss Bob Hitchcock.

He said: "It's magic but we had to work for it.

"Wick played good football but we battled and Derren Woods and Tony Holden were outstanding up front."

The only goal came when Justin Cole's 30-yard effort was tipped on to the bar by the Wick goalkeeper and Holden followed up to fire home.

Two late goals from Jason Allen secured Whitehawk a surprise 2-0 win against Ringmer.

The opener came seven minutes from time and followed the dismissal of Ringmer's Glen Davies. From the resulting free kick, Allen popped up at the far post to tap home and four minutes later the same player netted a second with an overhead kick.

Joint managers Ian Chapman and Glenn Burvill had only been appointed four weeks before the start of the season and Burvill said: "We set up a plan at training on Thursday on how to play them. We wanted to frustrate them and it worked.

"At this level if you are fit and organised you'll get results. That's what we were."

A spectacular free kick from Chris Hewitt earned Hassocks a deserved 1-0 win over Sidlesham at the Beacon.

Hewitt let fly from 35 yards in the 17th minute after a foul and the ball arrowed into the top corner.

Goalkeeper Joel Harding, son of the late Chelsea vice-chairman Matthew, had a quiet debut while boss Dave John introduced Joel's 17-year-old twin Pat as a second half substitute.

John said: "There was a lot of endeavour from both sides, but I'm disappointed we didn't finish them off."

Phil Churchill's brace ensured a winning start for new-look Horsham YMCA who defeated Chichester 3-1 at Gorings Mead.

Glen Newell opened the scoring in the 17th minute but YM were rocked by Stuart Chandler's leveller on the stroke of half time.

However two well taken goals in the space of four minutes after the break earned John Suter's men all three points, a pleasing outcome for a side fielding four players making their first division debuts.

Suter said: "We have rather thrown the side together and it wasn't a convincing performance, but I'm happy with the three points."

Miles Scerri converted two penalties as Arundel came from behind to beat Saltdean 4-2. Sam Wincell and Jason Hughes netted against a Tigers side who led 2-1 at one stage thanks to Simon Rowland's penalty and Liam O'Brien.

Arundel boss Mike Rowland said: "I think the result was good and the performance was average. We can play a lot better but early on in the season if you know there is more to come from them that is nice for a manager."

Pagham crushed Redhill 5-1 with goals from Kevin Dewey (two), Paul Morby, Tony Stephens and Mark Tryon. Nick White got the lone reply while Mike Lidbury was outstanding in goal for Redhill.

Paul Lee bagged a winner four minutes from time as Selsey beat Three Bridges 2-1 in a tight contest.

Lee had pounced to put Selsey ahead on 65 minutes but Bridges levelled ten minutes from time with a delightful 20 yard lob from Lee Hanson.

Selsey observed a minute's silence for Portsmouth's Aaron Flahavan, who died in a car crash last week. Flahavan was a former team-mate of Selsey player-boss Danny Hinshelwood.