Southwick 1
Haywards Heath Town 2
Old Barn Way
SCFL Division One
Attendance TBC
Montpelier Villa 3
Upper Beeding 2
Sussex University, Falmer
SCFL Division Two
Attendance 30
Standing on the edge of Brighton and Hove is a landmark which many people thought would never happen. It’s curves means it nestles in to a dip in the south downs, hiding it’s true scale. But for those luck enough to venture inside, the full size of the American Express Community Stadium is something to marvel at. Costing £100 million, it’s widely revered as one of the nest club stadiums in the UK, if not the world.
Albion have come a long way from the Withdean years. And it was somewhat ironic that Nomad’s Brighton non-league double header would see him make the two mile trek from two of the places where the Seagulls have called home. AFC Varndeanians may now be the occupants of the Withdean (read Nomad’s trip there here), but it’s up in Falmer – within shouting distance of the Albion’s new home – where their city rivals Montpelier Villa play their games.
Somewhat confusingly, Falmer – the place which Brighton and Hove Albion call home – is not actually in the city itself. Before the A27 dual carriageway was built, it was a quiet little village with a pub, church and a duck pond. But when the road builders moved in, the hamlet was split in two, linked by a footbridge over the busy dual carriageway below.
This same road now separates a gulf in footballing class – the professionals running out at the Amex and the amateurs of Montpelier Villa running out at the University of Sussex across the road. With the royal blue and white shirted Seagulls receiving a pasting on the road at Cardiff, all eyes fell on the sky blue and white shirted Villa to see if they could ensure one team in Falmer had a happy weekend.
Being the second leg of a Brighton non-league double header, Nomad arrived at the Sports Pavilion on the campus just as the players were walking out from the dressing room for the second half. The only problem was that by the time Nomad found a place to park the teams had kicked off.
Villa’s opponents were Upper Beeding, a team I have seen twice before in matches which have proved to be goalfests. So it was a surprise when I asked an official from the visiting team what the score was and the replay was one nil to the yellows, striker Ben Whales scoring a penalty. As second surprise was the weather, which in the short distance from the suburban surroundings of the Withdean to the wilds of the edge of the South Downs had turned from spitting rain to swirling gusts and driving rain.
Trying to peer through the rain proved difficult, as did catching any pictures of the action. Even the board listing the line-ups for both teams received a battering with a large percentage of names smudged to smithereens. But both sides to their credit played some good stuff on what was a remarkably good and flat pitch.
It wasn’t long before Beeding added to their lead when a Villa player slipped on the turf and clearly handled a through ball. Whales stepped up and converted to make it two nil and Beeding, who were top of the SCFL division two at the start of play, were thinking of making the short journey home with all three points.
But as the white and light blue shirts of Villa started to get dirtier, so the team’s fortunes started to get brighter. With the wind at their back, they pushed on and got a goal back almost immediately with Tod Brennan hitting home a loose ball thanks to a wicked deflection.
With Villa’s wide men finding lots of space and their speed causing Beeding’s full backs a few problems it was no surprise when they equalised, Nicholas Boutal smashing home.And then there was a lull, given Nomad enough time to clean the water from his glasses and enjoy a combative match.
Beeding continued to battle and number nine Sam Witherden was only prevented from scoring after a last ditch tackle from a Villa defender. Sadly, the number nine was left injured on the pitch. And while he received treatment the Villa number five got a ticking off from the referee for walking off behind the goal and watering the plants. Like they needed the extra drenching….
A draw looked likely as full time neared. Then from a soft free kick, Brennan stepped up again and smashed a great shot into the net from about 30 yards with the wind getting an assist (ed’s note: player dispute this greatly). Cue a group hug, a bit of dancing and, dare I say it, was that the sun shining through? – perhaps.
The ref’s whistle came shortly after and both teams trudged back around the caged artificial pitch to the warmth of the changing rooms. It was a thrilling second half. And even with the rain and the wind, the sun looks to be shining on this Villa.
THE ESSENTIALS
Montpelier Villa,
Falmer Sports Complex,
University of Sussex,
Pavilion Road,
Falmer,
East Sussex
BN1 9PJ
www.montpeliervilla.co.uk
@MontpelierVilla
Getting there and away
Travel east on the A27 towards Lewes. When opposite the Amex Stadium and University of Brighton at Falmer Hill, take the slip road to Falmer Village. Go left at the roundabout, through the University of Sussex gates and after another 250 metres turn right into Pavilion Road up the hill to Falmer Sports Centre car park.
Nearest Station: Falmer (10 minute walk)
Clubhouse
Not really one to speak of. The block which hosts the changing rooms wasn’t really a place to hang around as it was still being used by students and other users. Shame as on a wet windy day, a bit of shelter would have been welcomed.
Programme
Arriving at half time, there didn’t seem to be any available.
Food and drink
Was some available from within the complex itself. But due to being in a rush, Nomad went straight out onto the game.
Toilets
No trip required. Unlike the home side’s number five who spent a penny during a break in proceedings in a bush next to the pitch.
MATCH FACTS
Montpelier Villa 3
Tod Brennan 54, 90+2;
Nicholas Boutal 64
Upper Beeding 2
Ben Whales 42, 53
Attendance 30
Montpelier Villa
1. James McKemey
2. Aaron Blackwell
3. Simon Whitney
4. Matthew Harrison
5. Shaun Jepson
6. George Hatton
7. Samuel Terry
8. Nicholas Boutal
9. David Macneill
10. Liam Downes
11. Tod Brennan
Subs
None
Upper Beeding
1. Jaime Banasco-Zaragoza
2. Lee Donaldson
3. Fraser Lawrence
4. James Bacon
5. Sam Goodridge
6. Sam Gunn
7. James Rowland
8. Joss Knowles
9. Sam Witherden
10. Ben Whales
11. Alexander Townley
Subs
12. Daniel Peel
14. Lloyd Dean
Scouting report
A first look at Montpelier Villa and I was pleasently surprised. Despite the awful weather they kept the ball on the deck and made the transition from defence to attack really well. 
The danger man was number seven Samuel Terry, a tall quick winger who created chance after chance. Nicholas Boutal and Tod Brennan also performed well in the 45 minutes I saw.
Upper Beeding on the other hand have become one of my favourite teams to watch at this level. Their players play in the right way – well organised, full of running and always looking forward. They also have a habit of scoring a lot of goals. They do,however, let a few in. And for all the hard work of the front two  in Sam Witherden and Ben Whales, it’s the sloppiness at the back which could cost them.
St Francis Rangers 0
Eastbourne United 6
Colwell Ground
SCFL Premier
February 24
Broadbridge Heath 0
Pagham 2
Broadbridge Leisure Centre
SCFL Premier
February 23
AFC Varndeanians vs Hurstpierpoint
Withdean Stadium, Brighton
SCFL Division Two
February 20
Attendance 15
For 12 years an athletics track on the outskirts of Brighton became an unlikely mecca for football fans across the country.
It wasn’t because it was home to a world class player or a once-in-a-lifetime feat. It was because it represented something that football fans across the country, indeed the world, recognise: the feeling of belonging and identity.
The Withdean stadium was only supposed to be Brighton and Hove Albion’s home for a couple of seasons at most. It gave the club a temporary base in the city after months of travelling 130 miles to Kent and back for their “home” games.
As it was, the green temporary stands remained by the side of the running track for more than a decade ago. It was only five years ago, with Gus Poyet at the helm and the Seagulls perched at the top of League One, that Albion’s home away from home closed.
Fast forward to 2015/16 and the stadium is back hosting football. Only Messrs Murray, Oatway and Zamora have been replaced by ‎a team of amateurs made of old boys from a local Brighton school – meet AFC Varndeanians.
Formed in 1929, the club has a long history which has been accelerated in recent years. According to the club’s website, the side has won the Premier Division of the Mid Sussex and Brighton Football League seven times in the last 12 seasons. Throw in six fair play wins in seven years and you can see the tradition of playing fluent football in a fair way is being held up very strongly. And their local links remain too with the Gayler family, who run Brighton’s famous homeware store Dockerills, playing a large part in the club.
AFC, or the V’s as they are known, have done so well they were accepted into division two of the Southern Combination Football League. And very well they are doing too, flying high in a very competitive division. Their opponents for the afternoon were Hurstpierpoint, who also have a long history but sadly are at the other end of the division.‎ An away win looked as likely as Gus Poyet returning to the home dugout…
Onto game time, and No‎mad arrived a little early to reminisce slightly about the Withdean years. There was a slight problem though in that the car park for the athletics stadium / leisure centre / carvery was jam-packed. So it was back out onto the road to abandon the car near where Nomad used to head into the ground for Albion home games. Apart from the burger vans and a few hundred supporters, the view was the same. Except there was no way in as the gate was still locked.
Cursing nostalgia, a short up hill walk later into the leisure centre to find out how to get in and I was told it was right around the top of the site and in round the back. What felt like a lifetime later and the memories flooded back – the portacabins remained, the changing rooms were still there and right at back was the stand behind the discus net which even those with 20-20 vision would struggle to see the action from.
Nomad’s trip down memory lane was then interrupted by the sound of studs on concrete. The players were coming out so it was up into the big main covered stand – which still remains for spectators at county athletics meets – to watch proceedings.
Nomad remained there for about two minutes for two reasons: the first is that it was so far away from the action it felt sterile; the second was that all the action was down at one end, with the red and blacks from the home side bombarding the visitors’ goalmouth. It was not helped by the fact the Hurst goalkeeper was unable to kick the ball, meaning goal kicks had to be taken by defenders and invariably bobbled into the path of an attacker for another shot on goal.
So it was across the athletics track and time to set up camp behind the goal for the onslaught. With a very quick and skilful front four, AFC scored three goals in the first 30 minutes – a nice side-footed finish from the top of the area by Curtis Gayler probably the stand out.
The rain started to fall a bit heavier but Nomad was delighted to see Hurst start to get back into the game. Finally getting out of their own half, they began to come back into the game, stringing some passes together with the lively Ian Costello leading the line. One attack should have led to a goal, but was ruled out for a debatable offside. Then, to rub salt in the wound, another shot was well blocked by a defender – only for the ref to give a goal kick. It wasn’t their day – with AFC then bagging a fourth before the break.
Half time came and it was time for Nomad to get his running spikes out. No, not because he was going to run 400 metres around the track a la Michael Johnson. But because it was off to another Combi game up the road (for more on that, check out the Montpelier Villa report….)
It wasn’t until later that I found out the final score – 7-0 to the home side. Fair? I’m not sure. But the V’s are definitely a team to be reckoned with, even if Combi action is new to them. The golden times of the the Withdean years are definitely being rolled back on the pitch. Off the pitch, somewhere to grab a cup of tea, a bite to eat and a programme would probably see more people wanting to grab a bit of the action.
If they can replicate Albion’s success at the home of the athletics track then they certainly will be a team to look out for in the coming years.
THE ESSENTIALS
AFC Varndeanians,
Withdean Stadium,
Tongdean Lane,
Brighton,
East Sussex
BN1 5JD
http://www.afcv.co.uk
@afcvarndean
Getting there and away
Heading south into Brighton on the A23, turn right opposite Withdean Park into Tongdean Lane and go under the railway bridge. Turn right and the stadium is directly in front of you. Parking is in the leisure centre car park with entrance at the top end of the site.
Nearest Station: Preston Park (10 minutes walk)
Clubhouse
None to speak of really. But the leisure centre staff offered a very friendly welcome. And the Sportsman pub is next door, which is where I’m guessing post-match socialising takes place. But if the club is to develop off the pitch as much as it is on the pitch then these little things need to be thought of.
Food and drink
As with above. Cup of tea would have been nice in the drizzly weather and Nomad was sure the leisure centre offered such luxuries. But with a double header planned, this was not a priority.
Programme
None available (as far as Nomad is aware). Again a bit of a shame considering how well set-up the rest of the club is.
Toilets
Excellent. Located inside the mazy corridors of the leisure centre, they were very clean and spacious. Nice work.
MATCH FACTS
AFC Varndeanians 7
Curtis Gayler 16, 26, 85;
Reece Gayler 28; Jack Langford 36
Josh Slowey 89, Ahmed Shaker 90
Hurstpierpoint 0
Attendance 15
AFC Varndeanians
1. Jordan Mitchell
2. George Bunch
3. Matt Waterman
4. Leo Day
5. Jack Phillips
6. Ellis Hull
7. Curtis Gayler
8. Ahmed Shaker
9. Reece Gayler
10.Jack Langford
11.Tariq Richards
Subs
12. Josh Slowey
14. James Gatheral
15. Anton Di Duca
Husrtpierpoint
1. Gary Bushnell
2. Jamie Hoad
3. Andrew Webster
4. Jamie Dunne
5. Chris Sheehan
6. Rickie Mitchell
7. Ben Crickmore
8. Craig Mallon
9. Elliott Bartram
10. Ian Costello
11. Gregg Corke
Subs
12. Joe Washington
14. Michael McFadden
15. Alan Dunk
Scouting report
Sitting towards the top of division two of the Combi, AFC Varndeanians really have hit the ground running when it comes to county league action. The success is based on a solid defence and a very quick, nimble and skilful front line.
In Curtis Galyer and Tariq Richards, there are two very good wingers while Ryan Gayler and Jack Langford both know where the goal is. Whether or not they can win the title though will depend on how they fare week to week in a very competitive division.
As for Hurstpierpoint and they were much changed from my visit in the autumn. This is probably down to the fact the team are sitting towards the bottom of the division. But you cannot fault the commitment of the players, as personified by goalkeeper Gary Bushnell who could barely walk but still turned in 90 minutes between the sticks. A goal would have been deserved for the Mid Sussex team. And while this year is not theirs, another one will be.
Montpelier Villa 3
Upper Beeding 2
SCFL Division Two
Sussex University
February 20
Attendance TBC
AFC Varndeanians 7
Hurstpierpoint 0
Withdean Stadium
SCFL Division Two
February 20
Attendance 15
Loxwood vs Pagham
Plaistow Road
SCFL Premier
January 30
Attendance 66
Football has traditionally been a game for city boys and girls. I’m not talking about those people in suits that you see carrying briefcases in one hand and mobiles in the other. No, I’m talking about the LS Lowry type of people – the long overcoat-wearing factory workers who flock to open spaces to spend their hard earned cash.
The growth of the world’s most popular sport went hand in hand with the growth of urban areas across the globe. Looking at England and it’s no surprise that the two most successful clubs – Manchester United and Liverpool – come from two of the most successful industrial towns in the country.
But, the beauty of the beautiful game is that it is universal; it can be played and enjoyed by everyone. And so it was that on a sunny yet chilly Saturday afternoon Nomad found himself driving in the Sussex countryside to find one of the rare species in football – the lesser-spotted village football sides.
Loxwood is a place that not many people will have heard of. And if you’ve heard of it, you’d be hard pushed to find it on a map. But it does exist, promise – somewhere between Billingshurst, Horsham and Guildford. And if you find it you’re in for a treat.
Thanks to the trusty sat nav and instructions on the club’s excellent website, Nomad arrived about 30 minutes before kick off. Loxwood play at the extravagantly named sports ground and it’s quite obvious to find on a match day as there will be cars parked outside on the verge before the entrance.The small car park was full but fortunately there was a few sneaky spots down a little lane on the edge of the cricket pitch.
Stepping out the car, the air was full of the smell that detergent companies have been trying to replicate for years. At first, the football pitch wasn’t apparent. But then between the trees you could hear shouts. Peeking a little further and there was a delightful little ground flanked by tall pines (or something similar) with a warm up ground to the right. Game on.
It was a short walk over the cricket outfield towards the clubhouse to the turnstile. A quick look at Nomad’s wallet revealed that he was a little short of pounds, shillings and pence. Luckily there was enough there to avoid pretending to be an OAP to get a 50 per cent discount on the entry fare. But it did mean no food and drink. So it was straight into the ground through a lovely wooden entrance arch after parting with seven quid at the hut for admission, programme and half time raffle ticket. It was then onwards in to the new-ish stand on one side of the pitch to tuck into the very good programme.
I was looking forward to seeing the home side. Coming from humble roots, this is a side which has been doing everything right on and off the pitch in recent years. They currently sit in the top half of the SCFL, with a very healthy goal difference. The club has also won awards for it’s sportsmanship. But it hasn’t always been like that.
Founded in 1920, the club had humble roots for most of that period playing in local village football. But in 1997 the club re-formed and joined the West Sussex Football League, starting at the bottom of the regional county pyramid in division 5. By 2006 the Magpies had reached the county league – and they joined sides from towns and cities from across Sussex in the top division in 2014/15. With the village having a population of just over 1,000, quite how they sustain a senior team, under 21s, under 18s and a host of youth sides is remarkable.
The visitors were Pagham, a side who had changed a bit since I saw them less than a month ago when they lost 4-0 at home to Arundel. For a start they had a new manager at the helm – Mark Bennett, the man who led Littlehampton Town to the county league title last year, put in charge. And missing up front were strikers Dan Simmonds, who has scored more than 20 goals already; Crouchy, who is a good target man; and wide man Terrell Lewis, who was probably the Lions’ most dangerous attacking player.
Pagham also changed on the pitch too. Within the first 15 minutes it was clear that they had tightened up at the back significantly. Loxwood looked good on the ball. But the Lions two lines of four were tight meaning the Magpies were left with long shots or attempting delicate through balls to livewire frontman Charlie Pitcher. Neither of which worked too well. Aside from a few of the Pagham players shouting at the referee, it was a relatively quiet first 35 minutes.
Then the game exploded into action. Another livewire frontman was the scorer, Scott Mufin tucking away a nice cross from Dan Martin ten minutes before the break to put Pagham in front. A few minutes later, it was back level when Ollie Moore tucked away a penalty for the Magpies. Then the visitors were reduced to ten men, midfielder Neil Murfin being shown a straight red for an apparent stamp. Then on the stroke of half time, his brother Scott received a yellow for mouthing off the ref. Given that he had been effing and jeffing all half, it was a surprise it took that long.
Half time came and Nomad was ruing not making a trip to the cash point before setting out. With postponement’s plenty across the leagues, there was a bumper crowd at Plaistow Road to enjoy a football fix. As a result the clubhouse was packed with people grabbing a hot drink or some nice-smelling food to warm the cockles in the fresh January country air. Rooting around in every nook and crannie, Nomad managed to scramble together 90p and thank to a kind-hearted server managed to bag a cup of coffee. It was then back out to wander around the concrete walkway that surrounded the very neat ground.
Back on to the action and despite being a man down, Pagham showed some fighting spirit and withheld the Magpie assault. And with a willing front runner in Murfin (S.), they looked dangerous on the break too. Most of the action though was in Lions’ half as the Magpies pushed for a winner. But this was a side that looked like the played their best football on the counter and no matter what Loxwood tried, they just couldn’t break down the visitors’ defence.
As the game ticked down, Bennett brought on two subs in George Cody and Terrell Lewis. And their fresh legs were instrumental in the Lions’ improbably grabbing all three points, with Lewis clipping a through ball past the onrushing goalie as time ticked down. It sparked a mini-pitch invasion from the visitor’s bench. Loxwood tried to get back on terms but once again they were thwarted by the Lions’ defence.
As time ticked down, the Pagham boss Bennett was practically begging for the final whistle to come, so much so that one bloke in the crowd suggested he calm down a bit. “Why don’t you shut up you tree-hugging t***”, the manager shouted back. Charming. The man he had shouted down so articulately was the bloke who had got the game on in the first place, Loxwood’s groundsman.
The final whistle did come very soon after and Pagham were delighted, hooting loudly enough to wake the nearby sleeping owls. As for the home side, they looked disappointed but went off to the practice pitch to do their warm downs. And Nomad trudged back to the car thinking that while the Lions may have bagged all three points today, given the option I’d rather be in the Loxwood camp. The boys and girls from the country may not be the most conventional of football teams. But they way the villagers go about things at every level is first class. Some of the city boys and girls could certainly learn a few lessons from them.
THE ESSENTIALS
Loxwood FC
The Recreation Ground,
Plaistow Road
Loxwood
West Sussex
RH14 0SX
www.loxwoodfc.co.uk
@loxwoodfc
Getting there and away
Leave the A272 between Billingshurst and Wisborough Green and join the B2133 for three miles. On entering Loxwood Village take the first left into Plaistow Road. The ground is situated 100 yards on the left. Additional parking is provided down the track on the cricket outfield.
Nearest Station: Billingshurst (6 miles)
Clubhouse
Nice little set up with a modern bar and separate area for hot drinks. On a busy day though it can get busy, with the few seats being taken up very quickly.
Programme
Cracking effort -looked great and plenty to read. Came free with admission too (providing you bought a half-time raffle ticket in the process).
Food and drink
Given Nomad’s cash flow problem, the full selection wasn’t fully sampled. But he was very grateful to the server for allowing him to grab a cup of coffee for a 10p discount. It was such a chilly day, the warm drink was a lifesaver.
Toilets
Very clean and modern. Only issue was it got a bit tight during the half time rush leading to queues at the men’s….
MATCH FACTS
Loxwood 1
Oliver Moore 41
Pagham 2
Scott Murfin 37,
Terrell Lewis 89
Attendance 66
Loxwood
1. Harrison Hilfiker
2. Josh Courtney
3. Joe Holvey
4. Eddie French
5. Lewis Scally
6. Matt Simpson
7. Michael Webb
8. Ross Swaine
9. Charlie Pitcher
10. Ollie Moore
11. Mark Pritchard-Cave
Subs
12. Sam Beard
14. Harry Bachelor
15. Cecil Jee
16. Tom Summerfield
17. Sam Smith
Pagham
1. James Binfield
2. Andrew Brown
3. Jordan Warren
4. Daryl Wollers
5. Jake Hawker
6. Neil Murfin
7. Daniel Swain
8. Daniel Martin
9. Lloyd Rowlatt
10. Scott Murfin
11. Ryan Cox
Subs
12. Rob Brown
14. Terrell Lewis
15. George Cody
16. Ryan Davidson
17. Joe Grommett
Scouting report
Pagham on the other hand are in rebuilding mode. Under new manager Mark Bennett they looked like a different team to the one Named saw get beat 4-0 to Arundel a month ago. They were solid at the back and looked up for a fight – probably too much so in some instances. Striker Scott Murfin was a handful not only to the defence with his constant pestering, but also to the referee, who he needlessly shouted and swore at. What was a surprise was to see Terrell Lewis on the bench. But he came on and his pace and trickery caused real problems – so much so that he turned into the game winner. But his efforts would not have mattered if it were not for the Pagham defence. And Daryl Wollers impressed, leading by example in marshalling the back four.
Westfield 3
Upper Beeding 3
The Parish Field
February 6
Attendance 30
Carry on up the Combi 