Fourth-placed Eastbourne started the new year with a morale-boosting 3-2 victory at nearest rivals Burnt Ash in Kent/Sussex division one.

Chris Burden opened the scoring for Eastbourne from a short corner and Dominic Barnes netted from open play to make it 2-0 at half-time. Ash pulled a goal back before Barnes again scored from open play but there was a hectic final ten minutes after the hosts struck again.

Captain James Mackay said: "It was a good team performance and although we remain fourth, we have opened up a four-point lead over Ash."

Crowborough's match with Old Bordenians was postponed.

Chichester were missing three key players for their trip to Beckenham in the Southern Premier division and crashed to a 6-2 defeat.

Captain Neil Pendle has pneumonia while Pete Turner and Adam Beer were also missing. Chi's problems were compounded as a number of the players are students and not yet back at college in the city.

Pendle said: "It really hurts us when we start back so early after Christmas."