The SNLF

The next piece from Finn Honeywood who takes a look at the run-in for the second of our five divisions, the Southern Combination Premier Division:

The Run-In: SCFL Premier Division

While Hassocks have run away with the SCFL Premier Division title, deservedly earning their first ever promotion to Step 4, it remains to be seen who else could be joining them as eight sides are still in the running for a play-off spot. With a schedule that holds implications at both ends of the table, find out who needs what as the 2024/25 Premier Division season reaches its final stretch.

The Play-off Hunt

Crowborough Athletic (2nd, 74pts, +48) have all but secured their place in the play-offs for the second year running. Long-time club servant, Sean Muggeridge will look to go one better this time around, after their penalty-shootout defeat to Newhaven in last year’s semi-final. Barring the unthinkable, the Crows will be back in the hunt for what would be a first return to Isthmian football since 2008/09.

One of the more contentious storylines in this year’s Premier Division lies with Haywards Heath Town (3rd, 67pts, +34). In the weeks leading up to Naim Rouane’s departure as manager in late November, the Bluebells had garnered widespread plaudits for a staggering start to the season. After 17 games, Haywards Heath had conceded only six league goals with just one defeat, leaving them second only behind Hassocks. Despite a tough start in Rouane’s wake, Kev Green has consolidated Haywards Heath’s position amongst the play-off hopefuls, with seven wins in their last 12 for the former Steyning boss.

Having narrowly missed out on promotion to Isthmian South East in 2022/23, James Day’s Crawley Down Gatwick (4th, 66pts, +23) currently occupy the third play-off spot. Despite being joint-second top scorers (82) in the division alongside Crowborough, CDG have also conceded the second most goals of any of the teams in play-off contention. Crawley Down Gatwick have impressed in 2025, however, winning 10 out of 15 games in the new year to assert themselves amongst the top five.

Petersfield Town (5th, 65pts, +35) have remained in the play-off conversation for the majority of the season having made the lateral move across from the Wessex League Premier Division. Strong home form along with Harrison Cable’s 20 league goals have been key to the Rams’ success this season. Another incentive for Connor Hoare’s side: this season marks a decade since Petersfield last gained promotion to Step 4.

On the outside looking in, Eastbourne United, Roffey, Peacehaven and Newhaven all stand a chance of making it into the top five. After trailing the play-offs by six points last term, Eastbourne United are in touching distance once again under Anthony Storey, with only a point & inferior goal difference separating them and Petersfield.

Tied on 61 points apiece are Roffey and Peacehaven. After winning the Division One title last season, a strong start to their Premier Division campaign saw Roffey make an early climb up the table. Out of all the play-off contenders, Roffey’s form heading into the run-in has taken the worst turn, with just two wins in 10 for Jack Munday and Jimmy Ferrar. Behind Roffey on goal difference sit Peacehaven, whose return to play home games in Peacehaven has been a welcome one for Mark Shutt with his side winning six out of eight at the newly refurbished Sports Park.

Last year’s play-off finalists Newhaven have made a remarkable late season surge in their hopes to keep their long-standing promotion bid alive. The Dockers have won eight straight in the Premier Division, closing an 11-point gap in which they trailed the last play-off spot in mid-February. Following the departures of Sean Breach and Andy Cook, Newhaven’s resurgent form under Ryan Walton and Clive Blunt gives them every chance of sneaking in.

Fixtures:

  • Haywards Heath face 10th placed Bexhill United on Saturday before facing champions Hassocks on Easter Monday. The Bluebells will host fellow play-off chasers Peacehaven on the final day.
  • Crawley Down Gatwick travel to Peacehaven this weekend before hosting Roffey the following Monday. The Anvils close out their season with a trip to 11th placed Midhurst & Easebourne.
  • Petersfield entertain Wick (13th) and Midhurst at home on Saturday and Monday respectively, before ending their year at Chennells Brook where they will face Roffey.
  • Eastbourne United are the only play-off chasing side who will not face another team in top five contention, as they take on Lingfield (12th), Shoreham (19th) and Saltdean (20th) in their final three games.
  • In contrast, Roffey will take on Newhaven, Crawley Down Gatwick and Petersfield in their remaining fixtures.
  • Newhaven’s run-in kicks off at home to the Boars on Saturday, before a massive Easter Monday derby against Peacehaven. Hassocks make the journey to Fort Road on the final day.

The Drop Zone

At the other end of the table, Saltdean, Shoreham and Little Common remain embroiled in their bids to stay in the Premier Division. While Loxwood (17th, 29pts, -50) are not mathematically safe as of yet, it would take a significant swing in goal difference to threaten their position.

Bottom side Saltdean (20pts, -30) would need each of the aforementioned teams to lose at least two of their remaining games to be in with a chance of leaving the foot of the table. Even if that happened, Saltdean would have to hold up their end of the bargain as they face Crowborough, Eastbourne United and AFC Varndeanians (14th). It’s a tough ask for a side who have only won three league games this season, and after three successive years of fighting for their survival in the Premier Division, the Tigers’ chances of avoiding the drop look slimmer than ever.

Sat in 18th and 19th respectively with a six-point advantage over Saltdean, Little Common and Shoreham still have a job to do to remain in Step 5. Three wins in six in March for Russell Eldridge’s Little Common lifted them off the foot of the table, leapfrogging Saltdean in the process. With Hassocks to come at the weekend, Little Common will end their season with a local derby versus Bexhill United, before travelling to Pagham (16th) on the final day.

In their second season since promotion from Division One, Shoreham have struggled to kick on from a 15th place finish last term, culminating in Michael Death’s exit from the club at the end of March. The Musselman will look to finalise their safety once again as they take on Horsham YMCA (15th), AFC Varndeanians and Eastbourne United in their remaining games.