Nasty injury overshadows Southern Combination premier clash

Uckfield slipped to 5th in the league following a 1-0 defeat by Steyning Town but their thoughts were with Samways, who went down after chasing a long ball towards the Steyning touchline - sliding into the fencing on the side of the pitch near the corner flag.

He was treated on the pitch and then taken to hospital for treatment. He needed 11 stitches for a deep cut to his knee, and is expected to be fit again in around three weeks

Uckfield had good chances throughout the match, but were unable to find the breakthrough, leaving The Shooting Field without the points.

Steyning had the first chance of the evening as George Cousins' shot rattled the post after he sliced through the Uckfield defence. After a long break in play following Samways injury, Steyning continued having the better of things.

Uckfield’s first good chance of the game came from a tremendous long range effort from Morgan Vale which smashed against the Steyning post with the keeper beaten.

Luca Page kept his place in the starting XI, and his first real chance was courtesy of a silky run with the resulting shot testing the Steyning goalkeeper who spilled the shot but left Uckfield unable to capitalise.

The start of the second half was again firmly controlled by Steyning but after an expansive move by the Reds, keeper Jason Tibble was relieved to see the shot go wide.

Tibble had another strong game, but was unable to keep a clean sheet. The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when the Uckfield defence was split open with a dangerous ball, which was duly tucked away by the dangerous Cousins for Steyning.

Tibble made a brilliant save with a dive to the right to palm away another Steyning effort, helping keep the team in the game. The goalkeeper's heroics gave the Oakmen a chance to attack, and they had the ball in the back of the net with a neat Max Walsh finish, however the linesman called a tight offside and it was ruled out.

Steyning continued to attack, with Dan Tear making a brilliant tackle in front of the Uckfield goal to save what looked like a certain goal for the home team.

The heavens opened and the rest of the game was played in torrential rain, with Steyning’s 4G pitch coping well with the weather. Uckfield continued trying to equalise but were unable to do so, losing 1-0 in front of the 164 spectators in attendance.

The Oakmen return to action on Boxing Day, with a home match against 9th placed Lingfield, hoping to continue challenging at the top of the table.