Lingfield's cup progress and first league defeat shape a week in the Southern Combination

Lingfield experienced a mixed week in the Southern Combination Premier Division, following up a comprehensive cup victory with their first league defeat since August. Their match report on the 4-0 Peter Bentley Cup win over Midhurst & Easebourne describes a goalless first half and a home side frustrated by the visiting keeper, before Alex Kpakpe scored on 62 minutes after a punch went up rather than out. Kwesi Ntim added a second and a late penalty, and Chibuike Haruna scored his first goal on his second appearance. The victory sends Lingfield into the quarter-finals for the first time in at least a decade, with an away tie to come.

The following Saturday brought a 2-0 defeat at Roffey, the first league loss for the Lingers since the end of August. By the club's account Roffey scored inside 30 seconds and again in first-half added time, with the club questioning an offside and several penalty claims. Roffey announced an attendance of 226 and named Luke Harrison their man of the match. Lingfield said the cancelled Midhurst fixture had been awarded to them as three points, which lifted them to fourth before the table was updated.

At the GoCardless Stadium, Lancing beat Hassocks 3-1 in the first competitive meeting between the clubs since September 2020. Gabe Robinson was Lancing's man of the match for a long-range strike, and the club announced a crowd of 266. Hassocks' management described the afternoon as a frustrating one. Lancing had drawn 3-3 with East Grinstead Town in midweek, with Isaac Brown their man of the match.

Haywards Heath Town won 4-1 away at Wick, with goals from Remfry, Robinson and a Shooman brace, then 2-1 at home to PFC, where debutant Josh Wright scored the winner. East Grinstead Town beat Billingshurst 6-1, while Newhaven drew 1-1 at Pagham, surviving what they called a one-way last 15 minutes.

In the Sussex Principal RUR Cup, Horsham YMCA beat AFC Varndeanians 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Oscar Bailey having given the V's the lead. Crawley Down Gatwick lost to Newhaven in the Peter Bentley Cup. Seaford Town and Horsham YM drew 0-0, both having penalties saved. Pagham are due to host AFC Greenwich Borough on 31 October in the FA Vase second round.