SOUTHERN COMBINATION WESSEX LEAGUE

STEYNING TOWN moved four points clear at the top of the table after an impressive 5-0 away win at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday, Mark Goldson and Jack Barnes both netting twice for the leaders with Harry Shooman adding the other.

Second-placed Newhaven still have a game in hand but lost crucial ground to Steyning as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Bexhill United, Charlie Curran and Evan Archibald doing the damage for the away side.

Hassocks are up to third after Matt Gunn’s goal earned them a 1-0 away win at Horsham YMCA and Crowborough Athletic dropped to fourth after being held to a goalless draw away to Eastbourne United Association.

Bottom side AFC Uckfield Town’s

survival hopes were dealt a blow as they lost 7-0 at home to fifth-placed Eastbourne Town and Saltdean United

moved five points clear of the drop zone with a 3-2 home win over Lingfield after Alfie Edmeads netted twice.

Byron Napper, Lewis Finney and Jacob Minty were sixth-placed Haywards Heath Town’s heroes as they beat Loxwood 3-0 at home and there was a 4-2 away win for Pagham at Shoreham.

Elsewhere, Marley Bigg’s goal earned ed AFC Varndeanians a 1-0 home win over Crawley Down Gatwick and Little Common lost 2-1 at home to Peacehaven & Telscombe.

RORY HAYWARD

MONEYFIELDS took a giant step towards the Premier Division title with a 2-0 victory over second-placed AFC Stoneham on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Chichester.

Callum Laycock put the home side ahead after just eight minutes at Oaklands Park when the former Stoneham man fired his effort into the top left corner.

Ryan Pennery sealed the points three minutes from time when he was sent through on goal. His low effort beat the Purps’ keeper to wrap up a vital three points for the Moneys which leaves them two points clear at the summit with three games in hand.

Shaftesbury kept up their impressive recent form in third spot with a 5-1 away win at Bournemouth Poppies.

All the goals came in the first-half, with Brett Pitman bagging a hat-trick for the Rockies. Two more goals from Cam Beard and Jack Satterley put the away side out of site at Victoria Park.

AFC Portchester thrashed neighbours

Fareham Town 6-2 in another hugh scoring encounter.

The visitors took the lead before Kane O’Keefe equalised on the half hour mark. James Cowan then made it two before a Brett Williams brace put the home side 4-1 ahead at the break.

James Cowan scored his second after the restart and an own goal completed the scoring at the Wicor Rec.