Football: County League Round-up

Keith Miles, Rye and Iden United's new player-manager, was sent off for violent conduct after just 25 minutes as his side won 1-0 at Oving.

Miles said: "I have no complaints. Liam Barham took a quick free kick to me in the penalty area, the defender grabbed me, I tried to shrug him off and I caught him in the face.

"All sorts of things went through my head after that. It was not the best start to my management career."

A smile returned to the face of Miles on 54 minutes when Michael O'Callaghan scored the only goal of the game after Scott Price's shot had come back off the crossbar.

Derren Woods was looking forward to his first taste of management as Worthing United entertained Wealden but the match was abandoned after just THREE minutes.

Woods said: "We had the first downpour as we warmed up. We started because the rain had stopped but then we had a second downpour, the referee took us off and within ten minutes the pitch was like a swimming pool.

"There was no way we could continue."

The match between Pease Pottage and Saltdean United was postponed but it had nothing to do with the weather.

Steve Bold returned as Pottage manager last week as they prepared for their bow in senior football but the game was called off because of incorrect pitch markings.

Both teams were happy to play but the officials decided it could not go ahead.

Saltdean manager Paul Hubbard said: "There were two centre circles, at the top end the goalline marks were five inches behind the posts and on one side there was a second touchline which then cut across to the penalty area."

Bold said Mid Sussex Council were to blame for the pitch markings.

"It was more than just a game of football on Saturday. We were all geared up for our first game in senior football and were deflated when the referee called it off at twenty to three."

While the wet weather affected most football around the county, Shinewater was bathed in sunshine for the visit of promoted Steyning Town. So much so, that Shine boss Dave Shearing stood by the dugout with his shirt off.

Jason Morley's winning goal, a penalty after Ian Gower had been brought down, further warmed Shearing's spirits.

He said: "They were a robust team but we were worthy winners."

Seventeen-year-old Greg Manton hit the bar with a terrific effort on his Shine debut.

Eastbourne United, relegated last season, opened with a thrilling 4-3 win away to Broadbridge Heath.

Goals from David Harris, Andy Atkins and Scott McDonald (penalty) put United 3-0 up inside 32 minutes but Heath fought back to level by the 70th minute thanks to Warren Sweatman, Jamie Liddell and Dan Attwater (penalty). However, McDonald then scored his second of the game to secure maximum points for the visitors.

United boss Micky French said: "People were being negative towards us over the summer because we lost lots of players but I have rebuilt the side yet again.

"I am still after two defenders to make us genuine title contenders."

United gave a debut to veteran Simon Colbran, who has signed from Rye.

East Grinstead, who missed out on promotion on the final day of last season, opened up with a 3-0 win at Westfield thanks to Dave Gellatly, Matt Thorpe and an own goal by Westfield defender Trevor Burgess.

It was the first time Wasps had won on the opening day for seven years.

Manager Bob Smith said: "It was an excellent performance on a ground where we have found it difficult in the past. The early goal settled us down and I thought we controlled the game for long spells.

"We made a poor start last season and it ended up costing us promotion so it's nice to get a good win in the first game to build on."

Early goals from John Snelgrove and Stuart Danbury helped Seaford on their way to a 2-1 win at home to Crawley Down. Darren Fryer replied for the visitors.

Summer signing Gareth Neathey scored twice as Oakwood won 3-0 at Mile Oak. Zak Newman was also on target.

The match between Lancing and Eastbourne Town was abandoned after 39 minutes with the score 0-0.