Shoreham mourns Malcolm Saunders as Southern Combination presses on

The most striking words to emerge from the Southern Combination this week were not about a match at all. Shoreham announced the death of their co-chairman and co-owner Malcolm Saunders, describing him as "a friend, a supporter and someone who genuinely cared deeply about the people and the future of the football club," and noting his standing "throughout the county footballing scene." The club later shared that players and the management team had brought flowers to training and placed them in Saunders's match day chair, a gesture the club called "a lovely touch from all involved." Fixtures went on regardless: Shoreham drew 0-0 with Loxwood, before their scheduled meeting with Jarvis Brook was postponed and rearranged for 22 September, and the U23s came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Lancing 4-3 in a cup tie.

On the pitch, Infinity made the loudest case for themselves as this season's team to catch. Travelling to the Spectrum, they beat Guildford City 4-2, with Zack Willetts opening the scoring, followed by Lewis Beale and a first-half stoppage-time free kick from the corner flag, before Josh Cooper added the fourth to complete the win. Guildford City pulled goals back through George Bamgboye and substitute Ronnie Lee, and manager Luke Simmonds spoke to the club's media afterwards about the defeat. The result ended Guildford City's unbeaten league run and, on the evidence of the display, Infinity look built for a serious promotion push after reaching play-off finals in each of the last two seasons.

The FA Vase and county cups took over much of the fixture list. Reigate Priory gave youth graduates Steele and King their first competitive first-team starts in a Vase tie away to step five opposition Sutton Common Rovers, while Arundel and Worthing United met in Vase second qualifying round action at Lyons Way. Jarvis Brook prepared for a trip to Welling Town, and Loxwood progressed in the Sussex Senior Cup with a 2-1 win over Billingshurst, Lewis Nason picking up the player of the match award for a string of saves. Selsey celebrated individual milestones too, with captain Bradley Pearce reaching 300 appearances and Adam Williams marking his 50th for the club.

At the top of Division One, AFC Walcountians continued to lead the way, a third successive clean sheet accompanying goals from Charlie Moore and Jacob Sewell in another away win, while Dial Square moved up to seventh with a 2-0 victory over Mile Oak.