Peacehaven kicked off their league campaign with a hard fought draw against Lingfield on Saturday. This was the Clubs first fixture in Division One in six seasons, and there was a real sense of occasion at Piddinghoe Avenue. There were two new signings in Pete Edwards starting line up, Stuart Garrod and Clive Snell, with a third, Roy Pook starting on the bench.

Lingfield started stongly, and took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence, as they took an early lead. Lee Baker misjudged a corner, allowing Gareth Broom to bundle in the opening goal. Peacehaven's problems mounted before half time, as both Callum Saunders and Rob O'Toole went off injured.

The second half saw a considerable improvement in Peacehaven's performance. Craig Bunch and Tom Burton had both gone close, before Pook equalised, heading in at the near post from Snell's corner.
 

Both sides had penalty claims towards the end of a hectic match. Lingfield were convinced that Ashley Jones had impeded Joel Hughes, and Pook looked to have been tripped by Lingfield keeper as he advanced towards goal. The referee was clearly not in generous mood though, and turned down both appeals. Pook was then to go agonisingly close with the last kick of the game.

A draw was probably a fair result, and both sides could take encouragement from the match.
 
PEACEHAVEN TEAM
Baker, Hall, Hill, Garrod, Jones, Swetman, Saunders (Burton), Snell, Bunch, R O'Toole (Pook), Smith (Millis)

(Report by Alex Panton)