Peacehaven Manager Mark Shutt is hoping his side can fare better this time around against Crawley Down.

Haven once again kick-off their season by hosting Crawley Down at The Sports Park this afternoon (3pm).

But Shutt will be hoping his side can improve on last season’s result, having conceded 90 seconds into their 3-1 defeat.

He told The Argus: “We have Crawley Down again, we started last season with them. We have definitely spoken about it as a group with tongue in cheek and we are certainly hoping to last more than 90 seconds before we concede this season.

“So, if we can get to the two or three minute mark it will be progress.

“But with Crawley Down we are hoping for differing fortunes this time around.”

Haven have got their transfer business done early this season, with Shutt adding four players to his side in Harry Ducatel, from recently folded Langley Wanders, Former Lewes U18s captain Ross Barclay, striker Jon Evans and former Lewes U18s striker Louis Veneti.

But Shutt admits he has learnt from his mistake to take a more patient approach to signings last summer.

He said: “It is something that we wanted to by getting the signings done early, as last season I was guilty of missing the boat because I was hopeful some of the players that we had in the first Covid season were going to come back.

“But they ended up going to pastures new and it left me a bit short.

“So, I made sure we got the new lads in and we got lots of training sessions into them and have done loads of team/squad-building tasks to create a happy ship.”

This weekend’s fixtures, 3pm kick offs unless stated:

Southern Combination Premier League: AFC Uckfield Town v Saltdean United, AFC Varndeanians v Littlehampton Town, Alfold v Bexhill United, East Preston v Newhaven, Eastbourne United v Steyning, Hassocks v Broadbridge Heath, Horsham YMCA v Eastbourne Town, Loxwood v Lingfield, Pagham v Little Common, Peacehaven & Tels v Crawley Down.

Division One: Arundel v Midhurst & Ease, Dorking Wanderers Res v Mile Oak, Epsom & Ewell v Seaford Town, Forest Row v Selsey, Hailsham Town v Godalming Town, Montpelier Villa v Roffey, Storrington v Shoreham, Wick v Oakwood, Worthing United v Billingshurst.