United’s struggles continue

The only goal of another poor Ryman Football League Premier Division encounter came in the 62nd minute when Lewis Smith shook off Nathan Russell before slotting past Clark Masters.

United never really looked like finding a way back into it with the visiting goalkeeper only having a couple of routine saves to make all evening at a damp and windswept Pilot Field.

Elsewhere, Rye United moved up to second in Division One of the Sussex County League on the back of a creditable 1-1 draw away to fellow high-flyers Hassocks.

In round one of the Sussex Senior Cup, Sidley United won 2-0 away to Oakwood and Westfield went down 4-2 away to Seaford Town despite goals from Joe Barham and Roberto Martelini.

Full reports on each of these games will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Ryman Premier top half (played-points): 1 Kingstonian 12-25, 2 Sutton United 12-25, 3 Lowestoft Town 12-24, 4 Tonbridge Angels 13-20, 5 Billericay Town 13-20, 6 Hendon 11-19, 7 Bury Town 11-19, 8 AFC Hornchurch 13-19, 9 Carshalton Athletic 9-17, 10 Concord Rangers 12-17, 11 HASTINGS UNITED 13-17.

Sussex Division 1 top six: 1 Crawley Down 12-32, 2 RYE UNITED 13-29, 3 Three Bridges 11-28, 4 Hassocks 13-25, 5 Pagham 14-25, 6 Crowborough Athletic 15-25.

Tonight (Wednesday), meanwhile, Little Common will travel to Mile Oak in round one of the Sussex Senior Cup with a plum home tie against Blue Square Premier big guns Eastbourne Borough at stake for the winners.