Jarvis Brook's winning run and a week of cup exits at Step 6

No side in the Southern Combination has enjoyed a week quite like Jarvis Brook. Their reserves opened with a 1-1 draw against Old Oxted Town in which five debutants aged 16 and 17 took part, Jack Hare scoring from the spot and 16-year-old centre back Max Francis named player of the match. From there the first team kept winning, with the club describing an FA Vase victory as taking them into the first round proper, and this week's cup win over a Sussex opponent extending the run to seven wins in a row, finishing 4-2. The club now travel to Shoreham in league action looking to continue the streak.

Cup week proved far less forgiving for Arundel. Arundel lost 5-2 to AFC Walcountians in the league before bowing out of the RUR Cup on penalties away at Seaford Town, Rio Quaye's late leveller for the opposition forcing spot kicks that Arundel lost 5-4. That followed an earlier 4-1 defeat to Worthing United, where Liam completed a hat-trick and Arundel noted they were good "for the first 20-25mins but mistakes were punished." Worthing United went on to beat Lancing 4-1 in the RUR Cup and set up a Sussex Senior Cup trip to Rocks 1883.

Guildford City also suffered on the road, with manager Luke Simmonds left to rue a 1-0 defeat at Clanfield after City missed several first-half chances through Rory Cornelius, Josh Williams and Harry Hennem before Henry Martin's late strike settled it. Clanfield themselves progressed further in cup action, beating Waterlooville and welcoming new signing Jesse Clements from Moneyfields.

Loxwood suffered a similar cup exit, beaten 2-1 by Halisham Town in the RUR Cup despite goals from Toby Brett and Tyler Pearson going the home side's way, while their under-23s progressed in the Sussex County Under-23s Cup on penalties against Saltdean United. Shoreham also fell in the Sussex Senior Cup, beaten 4-2 by Jarvis Brook after a last-minute equaliser and stoppage-time winner, though captain Luca Slaney was named man of the match.

Back in league competition, AFC Walcountians remain the division's only unbeaten side, five second-half goals in one midweek win keeping their record intact ahead of a trip to face Worthing United.