With the Brighton and Hove men's first team still on mid-season break - they resume National League fixtures at home to City of Peterborough on Sunday February 3 (1pm) - the lower XIs have been finding it tough going on their new year return to action.

The 2s went down 4-1 away to the Kent/Sussex Regional League leaders Lewes 1s and remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a poor run of two draws and five defeats since their last victory at the start of November.

Both Brighton sides in Sussex League division one lost to opponents at either end of the table on Saturday, the 3s going down at home to third-placed Lewes 2s and the 4s losing 2-1 away to the bottom club, Crowborough 1.

Despite a bright start, the 3s were beaten 5-2 at Blatchington Mill by their Lewes rivals.

“The good form of Chris Page continued as within 15 minutes of the pushback, he'd already bagged a brace,” reports skipper Andrew Bromley.
“Sadly that was the end of the Brighton goalscoring, as the tide turned in favour of Lewes.

“Some questionable decisions went against Brighton but alas it wasn't to be. The scoreline flattered the opposition but we didn't play well enough to deserve three points.”

4s captain Carlo Missirian bemoaned his side's inability to make the most of their chances. "Very disappointing result but taking nothing away from a very spirited Crowborough 1s, who were desperate for the points," he reports. "We created so many chances, both in open play and shorts, but unfortunately we are just not finding the net at the moment.

"After several good chances and saves from their keeper the inevitable happened and they scored on the break. But we executed a superb team goal with triangles all down the right from our 16 with Sharma finishing splendidly. That gave us a real lift and we started the second half with a real zip.

"Same story however persisted with no joy from many chances and a second break away goal for the oppo. Pixie again made some brilliant one-on-one saves as we were trying to put pressure to equalise and were left vulnerable to a few long ball one-on-ones.

"It was a game we really should have won. Onward and upward a tough game against high-flying Eastbourne 2s next week.

"MoM was Pixie. DoD was anyone who took a shot - and there were plenty!"

The results leave the two Brighton sides locked together in mid-table separated only by goal difference.

The 5s have risen to third in division two after winning 4-2 against bottom club Lewes 4s thanks to a hattrick from Sam Nicholls. "As is the case when we play teams lower in table we were not on top form," reports skipper Ramzy Omran. "We went 1-0 down as the ball squeezed under Pete after going close twice from short corners, Sam hitting the post. We eventually pulled level though a sweet finish from Sam.

"Second half Bunny scored a unstoppable flick to give us the lead before two goals from Sam put us 4-1 up. But the scoring was not over with the final hit of the game Lewes scored a short.

"Special mention goes to Alan Grey, who umpired. Saturday was his 50th anniversary with the club."

The 6s earned a creditable 2-2 draw away at Lewes 5s in division three, goals from Rob Chilvers and Ben Simon giving them the lead twice before being pegged back by an experienced Lewes team according to Myles Ford.

Three goals in 10 second half minutes brought the 7s a 3-1 victory against Eastbourne 5s in division 4.

"A hard fought win with M7s showing resilience to recover from conceding an early short corner," reports captain Richard Barnes. "Midway through the second half we scored three goals in ten minutes. Eastbourne were well organised and with five subs fought hard to the end.

"The turning point came from a well struck Gary Revelchion short corner to equalise. Five minutes later from another SC Gary latched on to a rebound from the keeper for his second. Moments later Steve Shorrocks popped up at the far post for 3-1.

"Brighton switched the play nicely in the second half with Gareth O'Sullivan and Matt Brown making good use of wide positions and Atul Shah involved in most things at top of the diamond. Victory moves them up to fifth.