Following an opening day victory East Grinstead were brought back down to earth with a 2-0 defeat at home to Oxford Hawks in National League division two.

Foul weather and resolute defending spoiled the afternoon for Grinstead.

The match was played in a gale with driving rain but the hosts started confidently with some good build up play from Mike Holland and captain Jon Perriss.

However, the midfield and forwards were unable to penetrate the mass ranks of Oxford's defence.

Although Grinstead had plenty of territorial advantage, it was Oxford who went ahead with a well-taken goal from a quick break.

Things got worse just before half time when Grinstead found themselves 2-0 behind after failing to clear a short corner.

The second half was one way traffic as Grinstead piled on the pressure, winning penalty corner after penalty corner, but they simply could not find a way through.

Brothers Richard and Ben Payne had difficult chances saved and Jamie Pearce, playing in his first league match, almost pulled one back.

Manager Janina Jedamzik said: "It was very frustrating to watch but the players kept going right to the end and I'm sure we will have our revenge when we play them again after Christmas."

Chichester are still looking for their first win of the season in the Southern Premier but they did themselves proud in an exciting 4-3 defeat away to Purley Walcountians.

The hosts had a southern hemisphere touch to their game with four Australians in the line-up and they took the lead early on.

Chichester levelled when Andrew Savory fed Brian Lock for a reverse stick strike, but Purley regained the advantage before half time with a breakaway goal.

Another breakaway effort put them 3-1 ahead early in the second half but Chi rallied with Lock scoring again from an Ollie Lane-Smith cross and then Peter Turner making it 3-3 from a penalty corner.

Purley regained the lead five minutes later with a penalty corner which Chichester goalkeeper Steve Jones may have done better with and that is how it stayed chances for both sides in the final 20 minutes.