The first game of the year brought icy weather which caused a lot of local fixtures to be cancelled. I made my way to the 3G pitch at the Shooting Field, home of Steyning Town, to watch their temporary tenants, Billingshurst FC play in the Southern Combination Football League, Division 1, against Selsey FC. The game had been switched as frequently the Jubilee Fields ground has suffered from being waterlogged.

Billingshurst FC have had a great first half of the season, winning ten, drawing six and losing just three of their opening nineteen games, whilst scoring at a rate of almost three a match. Manager, Lee Spickett, has seen goals galore from his players with Matthew Hards, Jack Sizzey-Carter (both 11 goals) and Tom Edward’s (10 goals) leading the way.

The visitors today, Selsey FC, are managed by Darren Pearce, who has been in post since 2018, a rate feat, even in non-league football these days. Selsey sat in eighth place, just five points and a game in hand behind Billingshurst. Their goals this season have come mainly from Max Davies and Jamie Harris.

The game started with both sides creating early chances. Billingshurst got the opening goal, on 20 minutes, from Tom Edwards, who found space to slot home from the left hand side of the penalty area, past Davies in the Selsey goal.

The remainder of the half saw both sides create opportunities but on the stroke of half time Selsey were level. Shane Brazil scored, finding space in the box to fire home unchallenged, making it 1-1.

The second half opened with Selsey absorbing waves of pressure from Billingshurst. Good chances to score were squandered, including one goal mouth scramble which looked certain to lead to a Billingshurst goal.

As the game moved towards the final whistle it was Selsey who began to dominate and it was no real surprise when, with almost the final kick of the game, James Henton scored with a well placed first-time strike, to give Selsey FC a 1-2 lead.

Billingshurst threw everything into a last assault on the Selsey goal, but to no avail. At the final whistle it was Selsey FC who took the three points, to close the gap between the two team. This had been an entertaining game in very cold weather, however the home team knew that they had failed to take the chances required to seal the result. The crowd of 65 went away entertained.