Brighton and Hove Starlings showed their strength in depth when they blooded three more under-12 players against an older and more experienced East Grinstead Bluebirds team on Saturday and still came away with the points in the Sussex Girls Development League.

After six successive convincing wins, the Starlings once again rested a number of experienced players in their continued attempt to level the playing field with their oppositions. With the Gulls also unbeaten, Brighton teams fill the top two positions in the league.

Clare Cook said the Starlings arrived to find that East Grinstead were fielding an older, experienced side, with a string of well known county players. "Seeing this, some of the girls (especially the tiny ones!) were a little concerned before the game about potential mismatches. However, as always, the girls responded well to their warm up and team talk, with Clare Cook and Amy Mac attempting to alleviate these fears and ensure we focused on our own game.

"From the off it was clear this was going to be tighter than any of the previous games this season. EG were strong and fast and played some excellent hockey creating a number of chances in the opening 10-15 minutes. However, our defence, including debutant Atlanta H, settled in, stayed calm, soaked up pressure and tried hard to turn the ball over. Jess N in goal and Ella K-M were particularly good at reading what the EG forwards were trying to do and making the right decisions to stop them.

"When we were attacking there were periods of excellent passing, there was some great work in midfield turning defence into attack and all the midfield worked hard to track back when needed. Overall EG probably just about edged the play in the first half, but we stayed on task, and kept going. One of our counter attacks lead to a short corner and substitute Emily C calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 at half time.

"In the second half the girls responded excellently to the instructions given. They kept better width than in the first half, they were first to almost every 50-50 (Maleona R in particular kept coming away with the ball when she was clearly second favourite to reach it!), there was once again some excellent work in defence, some great distribution and everyone ran their little legs off!

"We created a number of chances on goal, but couldn't quite make one stick. Meanwhile Jess made some further great saves and centre back Daisy L-S kept a cool head helping to sweep the pads and clear the ball when EG looked certain to a score. Ultimately our dogged determination and patience paid off when the ball was turned over in central midfield, Eve P then played an excellent ball down the line and India Harrison calmly tucked away on her reverse.

"Nerves of steel were then needed for the last five minutes as EG threw everything at us, creating a number of chances from open play and getting two short corners near the end. The defence held strong, including another fantastic save from Jess and a fantastic pick in the air and clearance from Tilly S just inside the post, which was undoubtedly going in.

"It finished 2-1 to Brighton. A little closer than we'd have perhaps liked, but a game all the girls enjoyed and a fantastic effort from all who played!"

The Gulls saw off Mid Sussex Fillies 5-0 to remain unbeaten after seven matches and remain four points behind their clubmates.

In the boys league, the Flippers thrashed South Saxons Warriors 6-1 to cement their position in mid-table. Nick reports: "Following last week's lethargic start to the 1st half, the team were focused on a strong start this week. They blasted off at the start and were quickly rewarded by a goal in the first minute."

"The goals came more easily as South Saxons were overrun and the first half ended 6-0. The second half saw another 3 goals and one for South Saxons. Scoring the goals for Brighton were Wills (3), Will (2), Joseph (2), Gareth (1) and Ben (1)."

Brighton's under-10 boys played their first two Sussex Development League matches against East Grinstead on Sunday.

Maria 'Masha' F reports: "The first match was tough, boys were getting to grips with their positions and playing together as a team. Despite amazing efforts by our GK Finley M-M and brilliant Sasha W and Raul S in the defence, we lost 6-1 to EG A team.

"The second match started better with BHHC U10B scoring first three goals in the first half. The match was then stopped for the two-minute silence to commemorate those who died in world wars. After the halftime, Isaac F, having already scored three goals, got two more in with Alexander E moving the ball skillfully past EG players.

"Man of the match goes to Charlie T-W and Noah O, who, despite this being their first league match, were quick to learn and did some brilliant tackles and fought to get the ball back from EG players. Well done to the boys!"