Maren Mjelde scored the winner as Chelsea fought back from a goal down to beat title rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Kingsmeadow.

Caroline Weir was back among the goals and her low shot just before the hour mark gave Manchester City the lead.

However, goals from Bethany England and Mjelde changed the complexion of the game and ensured the Blues retained their unbeaten start to the season.

The first half was a cagey affiar and twice Manchester City keeper Ellie Roebuck made great saves to deny England.

Just before the break, Norwegian Mjelde hit the bar from just over 25 yards but it remained scoreless as pressure mounted on both sides to get the opener.

In the 53rd minute Roebuck was beaten again as So-Yun Ji struck one from just outside the box but the low drive shot hit the post.

Nick Cushing's side finally broke the deadlock on 59 minutes. Keira Walsh’s superb ball found Weir, who controlled the ball and struck it low into the bottom corner.

However, Chelsea kept up the pressure, forcing Roebuck into making more fantastic saves, including one from Ramona Bachmann with 20 minutes to go.

But the Citizens couldn't hold out and when Ji’s 78th minute strike from outside the box was met with an equally great save, the parried ball fell to England, who scored and equaliser the hosts deserved.

Three minutes later, Mjelde popped up to score a second a put the Blues into contention to regain their place at the top of the Barclays FA Women's Super League table.

And the drama resumed as Manchester City had a penalty shout in stoppage time for handball but referee Amy Fearn waved it away as Chelsea made it ten wins on the spin.

To follow the action, buy tickets and sign-up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com

Manchester United 3-1 Everton

Lauren James inspired Manchester United to a comfortable Barclays FA Women’s Super League victory over Everton after winning a penalty and scoring twice in the 3-1 win.

Everton went ahead through an early own goal from home goalkeeper Mary Earps but United hit back in style, with James’ two goals coming either side of a penalty from captain Katie Zelem to secure the points.

The visitors had won their previous three league games but couldn’t break down Casey Stoney’s side, who go level on points with Everton to keep pressure on the leading pack.

The game got off to an electric start and Everton took the lead after just two minutes, when Simone Magill’s header from an Inessa Kaagman corner found its way in off Mary Earps.

However, the hosts hit back almost instantly after a superb low cross from Jess Sigsworth was drilled home by James in the fourth minute.

James was involved again for United’s second, brought down in the box after a skilful run. Zelem duly stepped up and sent a composed penalty into the bottom left corner after 11 minutes.

United increased their lead just before half time when James added her second of the afternoon, firing a swerving first-time strike past Tinja-Riika Korpela from the edge of the area.

Both sides had chances in the second half as Everton pushed to get back into the game, but Willie Kirk’s side could not break down a professional Manchester United defence, who saw the game out comfortably.

To follow the action, buy tickets and sign-up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com

Under the new management of Yems and Bradbury the Red Devils started with a 0-0 result away from home at struggling Stevenage.

The game itself was not a great advert for League 2 in actual fact it wouldn’t have been a good game for a County League fixture.

Both teams only recorded one shot on target over the full 90 minutes. With the new management, the formation went to Four Four Two – with Joe McNerney coming into the side for suspended Tom Dallison and Ashley Nadesan partnered Ollie Palmer up front.

Throughout the 90 minutes there we only two real chances, both fell to Crawley, Nadesan in the first half and Bez Lubala towards the end of the second when he went round the keeper but failed to put the ball into the open goal.

SEE ALSO If Yems did not know the extent of the task facing him beforehand he surely does now - Crawley Town opinion | Stevenage 0-0 Crawley Town: Yems' Reds reign begins with away draw | New head coach Yems: Crawley supporters have got to be happy with what they've seen
You have to take these chances to win matches. Crawley were the better side in the second half but couldn’t find the breakthrough to take all through points.

You can’t expect miracles from the new management team having taken over 48 hours before, but it was the same type of performance from the team that they had showed over the previous nine, lack of urgency, short and misplaced passes and with two strikers up front no crosses from the wings.

We can only hope that over the next few matches we can see improvement to the playing style and more energy throughout the team.

We have a home match next Saturday against Port Vale, a game on paper that is winnable, the team have to start producing at home again and quickly – we are only seven points above the relegation zone.

The scoreless draw against Stevenage is a start, and it was the first clean sheet away from home this season – credit to Man of the Match Joe McNerney making his first League match of the season and Jordan Tunnicliffe who won everything in the air and marshalled the defence throughout the game.

Up Up and Away.

Our next away league match is to another struggling side Oldham Athletic on Saturday 21st December with a 3.00pm kick off - We are running a supporters coach to this game – we depart from the stadium at 07.30am and cost for all travelling is £20.00 – please contact Alain 07771-792346 to book on. We have organised a buffet stop at the Kilton Inn, Knutsford before the game which is included in the fare.

Wolves' Diogo Jota struck either side of quickfire goals from Maupay and Propper in a crazy 16-minute spell at the end of the first half.

Brighton's encouraging start to the season continued as they moved level with Arsenal, while another point on the road lifted Nuno Espirito Santo's spirited side back up to sixth.

Maupay said, "It was a tough game for us, the third game of the week is never easy, especially against a good team.

"We didn't start very well and gave chances away, but we kept pushing and scored two goals.

"I thought we were going to win because we were back in the game with the crowd pushing us. But we made a mistake for them to score the second goal.

"We had a couple of chances in the second half. We're not happy but we will take it. Overall I think it is a good point.

"We were a bit tired and missed a bit of sharpness."

Brighton, still buzzing after Thursday night's memorable win over the Gunners, almost scored in the opening seconds.

Leandro Trossard stood up a tempting cross, Steven Alzate's header was blocked and Maupay's deflected effort went over, before Lewis Dunk headed the resulting corner narrowly over.

Wolves responded through a Ruben Neves drive which flew inches wide and Seagulls keeper Mat Ryan made a fine save to keep out a header from Romain Saiss.

The visitors should have gone ahead after Adam Webster dallied on the ball in his own penalty area and was pickpocketed by Jota.

Jota squared the ball to Raul Jimenez but just as the Mexican shaped to shoot Dunk got a foot in.

Moments later the same duo combined to fire Wolves in front. Jota collected the ball on halfway, sent Jimenez down the left and then raced into the area to meet the cross and sidefoot home.

Jota was denied a second by Ryan after racing through one-on-one, and the miss quickly proved costly when Brighton launched an astonishing turnaround.

First Maupay latched on to a ball over the top from Dale Stephens and crashed a superb first-time shot inside the near post.

Then Wolves, who moments earlier had been in cruise control, were stunned again 90 seconds later when Trossard pulled the ball back and Propper thumped his header home.

It was Dutch midfielder Propper's first home goal for Brighton, more than two years after joining the club, but it took him just eight minutes to cancel it out as a breathless first half came to a close.

Propper's blind pass sideways rolled straight to Jonny, who was able to slip in Jota for his second to equalise.

After the break Dunk survived a VAR check after blocking Jota's close-range shot, with Wolves claiming a handball which would have been harsh.

Wolves could have snatched the win late on when Patrick Cutrone reached the byline and pulled the ball back but fellow sub Pedro Neto was unable to provide the finish.

Brighton and Hove Albion played out a hugely entertaining 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex Stadium.

But who shone and who struggled for struggled for Graham Potter's men?

Neal Maupay's sixth of the season and a header from Davy Propper - his first of the campaign - cancelled out a well-taken double from Wolves' Diogo Jota.

It was not Albion's most convincing display as mistakes in possession presented Wolves with a few too many chances.

"It was a good result for us against a really good team on the back of a tough away match against Arsenal," said Potter.

"We’re happy, although it was not our best performance today. We had a bit of luck as they missed a couple of good opportunities, but I can't question the character of the boys, overall 2-2 at half-time was fair.

"We just needed to carry on and keep going in the second half. Wolves are not easy to break down: they are not eleven games unbeaten in the league for nothing."

"We started off OK but then Wolves grew into it, you can see the quality they have. All the time you are on the edge when you have the ball because if you make a mistake they can punish you, and at 1-0 down our goalkeeper was there for us. But credit to the players, we kept going. It's a fairish result."

The result moves Brighton to 12th in the Premier League while Wolves are sixth. Their manager Nuno Espirito Santo said, "It was like we expected, a tough game, but it was entertaining with both teams wanting to really go and score goals.

"We had very good momentum in the first half, we were in control. Then a mistake happened, we didn't defend so well, and Brighton reacted. The second half was well played by both teams, trying to play their football.

"I think it could have gone either way but we finished on the front foot and I'm proud of the way my players keep going. Resilience is the word. We never give up. We want to improve and get better."

The Barclays FA WSL returned for the penultimate round of fixtures before Christmas with all 12 teams in action on Sunday.

Arsenal entered the weekend in top spot but were briefly knocked off their perch as Chelsea came from 1-0 behind to find two goals in two minutes and hand Manchester City their second defeat of the season.

Emma Hayes’ side do still have a game in hand over their title rivals but they will have to settle for second place for now as Arsenal cantered to a 3-0 victory at Reading to return to the top.

Meanwhile Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City all returned to winning ways while Liverpool and Bristol City’s search for a first victory of the season continues.

Little by Little

It’s no coincidence that Arsenal have developed a reputation for playing silky football that other teams can’t match but Kim Little’s goal against Reading took the biscuit.

And if you’re a fan of Jack Wilshire’s 2013/14 Premier League goal of the season winner against Norwich City – you’ll love this strike too.

Little picks the ball up short from a corner and plays a one-two with Leah Williamson to get herself into the box before doing exactly the same again with Jordan Nobbs to get beyond the last defender.

Under pressure, and with just the keeper to beat, the Scot chests the ball under control and lifts it sublimely over grace Moloney’s head and into the corner of the net.

Reds still unable to convert

Liverpool have together a bizarre season so far and are still without a win despite conceding just 11 goals in their first nine games following the 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The problem has been at the other end as Niamh Charles scored just Liverpool’s second goal in those nine games – a strike which she feels should have been worth all three points.

"We should be getting three points from this but a point is better than nothing, we were going for the three but we've got to keep the board ticking over with the one, so hopefully this will help us kick on,” said Charles.

“The performances are getting a bit better, but we need to start getting three points now.”

A missed penalty from Melissa Lawley did not help the Reds’ cause either with a visit from Chelsea coming up before the Christmas break.

James in the thick of it

After a relatively stop-start introduction to life as top-flight player Lauren James is taking centre stage for Manchester United.

The 18-year-old has now scored in each of her last three Barclays FA WSL games including a brace in the 3-1 win over Everton at the weekend as well as earning the penalty for captain Katie Zelem to convert.

Blues finally up and running

It may have taken a while but Birmingham look they like they may have finally got their season up and running having taken seven points from their last five games.

Goals in either half from Lucy Whipp and Abbi Grant gave the Blues their second victory of the season, over Bristol City, with the later adding to the goal she scored against Spurs in midweek.

Marta Tejedor’s side face Manchester United in their final game before Christmas which may turn out to be a telling encounter.

Johnson back to haunt Foxes

Since Mel Johnson left Leicester to join Aston Villa she has been an FA Women’s Championship goal machine that was no different as Villa hosted her old club.

Sadly for Leicester, they arrived at a time when Villa look near enough unbeatable and left on the end of a 3-1 defeat in which Johnson scored her 11th in ten Championship games this season.

The last thing you need before tackling one of the fastest and most powerful attacking players in the Premier League is a dodgy stomach.

Brighton left back Dan Burn had been feeling slightly off-colour for the two days prior to facing Wolves flyer Adama Traoré and moments before kick-off he was sick during his warm-up.

Burn however didn't seem to let it trouble him once the game started and the 6ft 7" defender produced an accomplished display during the entertaining 2-2 draw.

"I had a bad stomach so I had to go and be sick," said Burn. "I hadn't been feeling too good but I got through it. I think I ate some dodgy a few nights ago. I felt as though I had a lot in my stomach, so I just had to get it out. I was always going to play. I was never not going to play."

Burn has been a centre back for the majority of his career but has featured mainly as left back under Brighton head coach Graham Potter. It was an intriguing match-up for Burn against Traoré and at times it looked like a tall 1,500m runner up against an Olympic sprinter.

"I thought I did alright to be honest," said Burn. "He went past me a couple of times but I enjoyed it, it was a tough battle. I didn't get forward as much as I usually do but with Adama's pace you have to be careful.

"He is so strong. I tried to body check him at one point and he put me flat on my back. He is an athlete, so quick and strong and you can see why he is playing at this level. The way Wolves use him, he can get in behind so I thought we dealt with him well."

Neal Maupay's sixth goal of the season and Davy Propper's first cancelled out a well-taken brace from Diogo Jota as 12th placed Albion sealed a hard-earned point.

Maupay added, "We had a couple of chances in the second half. We're not happy but we will take it. Overall I think it is a good point. We were a bit tired and missed a bit of sharpness."

The festive season is nearly upon us and towns and villages across the county will be getting into the Christmas spirit with Christmas markets.

Here is our guide to some of the festive markets and fairs taking place:

Chichester

Chichester Cathedral Mini Market

When is the Christmas market?

December 12-14, 10am-4pm

Where is the Christmas market?

Chichester Cathedral.

Where is best to park?

Parking is available throughout Chichester.

What is there to do at the Christmas market?

The market will take place in the Cathedral cloisters and host local brands featuring a variety of items to browse or buy.

How do I get tickets for the Christmas market?

Entry is free.

Chichester Festive Market

When is the Christmas market?

Saturday, December 7-15.

Where is the Christmas market?

North Street and East Street, Chichester.

What is there to do at the market?

There will be a variety of festive, food, gift and arts and crafts stalls.

Will there be food and drink at the market?

Some stalls will sell food and drinks, but it will also be possible to buy food from Chichester’s many cafés and restaurants.

How do I get tickets for the event?

This will be a free event.

Horsham

Horsham Christmas Market

Where is the Christmas market?

The Carfax, Horsham.

When is the Christmas market?

At various points throughout December.

What is there to do at the Christmas market?

There will be festive stalls and entertainment.

Will there be food and drink at the Christmas market?

Alongside the restaurants and cafés in Horsham, there will also be festive food and drink at the Christmas market itself.

How do I get a ticket for the Christmas market?

The market will be free to attend.

Worthing

Worthing Christmas Market

When is the Christmas market?

Monday, December 23, 9am-5pm.

Where is the Christmas market?

Worthing town centre.

Where do I park?

There are multi-storey car parks throughout Worthing.

With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday this year, Worthing Weekly Market would not have taken place in the week leading up to Christmas.

What is there to do at the Christmas market?

Usual market traders will be out in force alongside seasonal offerings to give Christmas shoppers the chance to pick up some last-minute gifts.

How do I get tickets?

The Worthing Christmas Market will be free to attend.

A squad of more than 40 Chichester athletes returned to Stanmer Park, Brighton, where conditions could not have been more different from the previous Sussex Cross Country League fixture at the beginning of the month.

Instead of driving wind and rain, runners were greeted by a crisp, dry day with underfoot conditions perfect for racing.

The day was mixed for Chichester with the juniors continuing to make the steady progress they have shown all season while the two senior teams had wildly different results.

Senior men and women

Both the club’s senior teams are in the top division at present but after Saturday, it looks as though, barring miracles, the women are certain to slide into division two for next season.

The senior men’s race was strengthened by athletes who had competed in the UK trials for the forthcoming European Championships.

It was therefore credit to the last fixture’s winner, Chichester’s under-20 Ned Potter, that he took the initiative and led the pack on the first of the three laps. Last time’s third-placer James Baker had a more cautious start but at two-thirds distance he had jumped up into the top ten and was hot on the heels of Potter in fifth.

These two held on to their places until the finish and were just half a minute adrift of the winner after 8k of gruelling running. Behind the club’s leading pair was consistent Will Boutwood in 19th while John Peters got the better of Conrad Meagher, the pair 39th and 47th.

Another of the club’s under-20s, Brodie Keates, was the sixth scorer for the A team in 86th enabling them to claim fifth place, still giving them an outside chance of a team medal at the final fixture in Bexhill in February.

The B team was led home by veteran Jon Edgar in 114th, 48th veteran, with the remaining three places occupied by another three under-20s, Harry Sage in 125th, Fred Austin 127th and David Bisatt 136th.

It was a matter of veteran dominance for the C team with Tim Brown in 140th, Paul Stallard 146th, Mike Moorcroft 151st and Peter Dunne 173rd. Tom Blaylock was 174th, Peter Anderson 187th and Peter Shaw was the second over-70 to finish.

Chichester’s women, in contrast, were severely depleted with none of their A team available. But brave runs from two under-17s and three veterans at least cave the club a team score in all three categories, under-17, veteran and senior.

While the under-17s still have an outside chance of team medals in the final fixture, the writing is on the wall for the seniors and their eight-year stay in the top division with a 150-point gap to safety almost impossible to bridge with just one match left.

Veteran Aleksandra Vargin led the way in 60th followed by two under-17s, Amelia Bromell in 76th and Rose Potter 94th, 15th and 17th in their age group.

Sue Baker completed the scoring in 101st with reserve Wendy Whelan 115th, the pair occupying the top two places in the over-65 age group.

Under-13s

Both the club’s under-13 teams had solid team performances with the boys achieving a well-deserved second place.

Josh Dunne put the disappointment of a severe stitch in the previous fixture behind him with a well-controlled performance. He opted for a steady start and allowed the leaders to open up a gap on the first lap and gradually closed on their advantage to finish third, just five seconds behind the winner.

With Alessandro Schmitt in 13th and Will Bailey 17th, their team total of 33 points brought them closer to the medal positions.

There was incredibly close packing from the B team with Josh Eaton 42nd, Sam Cato 45th and Digby Fulford 46th and just nine seconds separating the three.

The under-13 girls packed well to finish fourth with Carrie Anelay in 16th just a few strides ahead of Anya Barrett in 17th and Florence Ingram 21st, with reserve Millie Isitt in 32nd.

Shortly to move up to the under-13s is Grace Howarth, who was a good 14th in the under-11 race.

Under-15s

Matching their younger team-mates, Chichester’s under-15 showed great team packing and nowhere was this more evident than in the girls’ race, with the Chichester quartet occupying four consecutive places for the first time ever.

With the fight to be first home for the club changing hands throughout, Issy Isitt led the club home on 20th place, followed by Amelie McGurk 21st, Tamsin Anelay 22nd and Gemma Appleton 23rd, separated by just ten seconds after four kilometres of running.

For the boys Joe McLarnon kept pace with the leading group of ten for the first lap but just lost a bit of ground at the end but still was under a minute behind the winner at the finish.

Hal Edgar and Gabe White battled all the way for next club spot and finished in 30th and 31st respectively.

New member James Davies did himself justice in his first race for the club to finish a creditable 42nd, well in touch with the main pack.

* Chichester’s cross-country squad are next in action will be in the Sussex county championships in Bexhill on Saturday, January 4, when team and individual medals will be up for grabs as well as places in the Sussex teams for the national inter-county championships in March.

Worthing Raiders enjoyed a 27-23 win over Leicester Lions on Saturday.

Photographer Stephen Goodger was at the game - here are a selection of his pictures.

Maupay, 23, lashed home his sixth goal of the season during the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the Amex. It was cracking strike from the Frenchman as he latched onto Dale Stephens' long pass and smashed home a first-time left-footed finish from 20 yards to level the scores at 1-1, after Diogo Jota had given the visitors the lead.

"I didn't know he had this in his locker to be fair," said former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin speaking on MOTD2. "His movement, some of his stuff was incredible. We used to call this one run for the defender and one run for yourself.

"He always seems to be on the front foot. If you just watch him, his movement is excellent. He also has strength. Nice hold up play and then keeps the play simple but always looking to go forward and looking to get into dangerous areas.

"For his goal. He wants to get into the eyeline of Conor Coady (Wolves defender) and then spins. Conor thought he had him but he strikes it with his left foot and that's a brilliant brilliant finish."

Dublin added, "He is always looking to get into shooting positions and has great skill and gets his shots off. He is a very very positive player and at the end you see him chatting to the elder statesman Glenn Murray. He's probably saying listen, I've got your space, I'm sorry!."

Brighton signed Maupay from Brentford for £16m in the summer after two prolific seasons in the Championship. Six goals from his first 16 PL matches is a decent return for the Frenchman, who also headed home an excellent at Arsenal last Thursday.

"Strikers (from the Championship) are starting to step up and if they get game time I think they will score. They are all natural goalscorers."

Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher said: He (Maupay) has really impressed me in the Premier League. It is a little bit surprising because it is a big jump. But that will give a lot of strikers in the Championship confidence.

"It shows if you can score in the Championship, Premier League clubs will take a chance on you."

Four first half goals in a 30-minute spell the hosts dominated and a penalty after the interval did for that record as the East Sussex side demonstrated their title credentials and condemned Chi to a third successive defeat in all competitions.

Striker Scott Jones returned to the starting XI having missed the midweek Sussex Senior Cup loss to Lewes; as did defender Ryan Davidson; with captain Connor Cody partnering fellow centre-back Corey Heath.

Pilot Field has been a happy hunting ground for Hastings this term - they are yet to drop any points at home, and the Us, playing in front of their biggest crowd of the campaign, started with intensity. City keeper Steve Mowthorpe had to have his wits about him as early as the third minute to clear when Hastings hot-shot Davide Rodari threatened to get in.

Dan Ajakaiye gave Davidson work to do regularly with his probing runs. The visitors’ back four did well to crowd out Ajakaiye and skipper Sam Adams as the pair linked up nicely and then Davidson made a timely interception to turn the ball out for the first corner of the game.

This came to nothing but Hastings went ahead in the eighth minute through a composed Rodari finish. The Italian-born forward, a product of Inter Milan’s youth set-up, is scoring goals for fun at present and grabbed eight in the extraordinary 12-3 Velocity Trophy win over East Grinstead a week or so ago.

Chi were under the cosh and Adams doubled the hosts’ lead in the 18th minute, steering in Jake Elliott’s cross after the right back beat Jones in a foot race. Josh Clack then had an effort charged down when Hastings conceded a rare corner.

It was 3-0 at the midpoint. Chichester failed to clear their lines and Ajakaiye made the most of things cracking in a super drive off the woodwork. Heath hooked away a dangerous delivery before Jones might have pulled one back on the half hour mark with a bullet header but for Louis Rogers acrobatic tip-over.

Rodari was at it again five minutes before the break with another decent finish after Lanre Azeez threaded through a slide rule pass. The away side have shown their mettle recently against Tranmere and Lewes and did anything but capitulate in the second half.

Matt Axell swung in a 47th minute corner that Jones nodded into the box and there was Heath to grab Chi an unlikely life-line with a close range header. Adams and Rodari caused havoc in the next attack with the U’s leading scorer impeded in the penalty box. Ryan Worrall stepped up and coolly slotted his spot-kick beyond Mowthorpe.

Jones then had an attempt blocked before a burst of pace from Ajakaiye sent him away only to toe-poke the ball wide of the post. With the hour approaching Azeez charged into the box but his cross was dealt with comfortably enough. Rodari outfoxed Heath next only for his shot to nick off a defender for a corner that Jones headed away.

Ajakaiye fired one off target, Davidson somehow managed to fend off Rodari and get the ball back to Mowthorpe and Heath had another go with a header.

Both teams made changes. Rodari, looking for another hat-trick, was replaced by Ben Pope and James Pool and Sam Beale came on for Adam Lovatt and Elliot. Chichester brought on Theo Bennetts and George Cody for Axell and Kaleem Haitham. In the last 15 minutes Jones tried a shot on the turn and Clack drew a fine stop out of Rogers.

Referee Joe McKay gave Adams a stiff talking to for a tackle on Rowlatt and then brandished a yellow card as the Us captain fouled the same Chi player moments later. Clack dragged an effort wide, Davidson tried his luck from outside the box but couldn’t keep the ball down and Rogers got his body behind a fierce attempt from George Cody in time added on.

It was Chi’s first loss in the league since a 1-0 defeat to Three Bridges at home in September.

Miles Rutherford’s side are back at Oaklands Park on Saturday, December 14, against Guernsey in a slightly earlier kick off time of 2pm - hoping for a bumper crowd featuring some of those who have shown interest in the club during the recent FA Cup run.

Chichester – Mowthorpe, Davidson, Hutchings, Axell, Cody, Heath, Clack, Horncastle, Jones Rowlatt, Haitham. Subs – (Dunn, Bennetts, George Cody, Kelly).

England announced their squad for their tour of South Africa this week, with Jofra Archer getting yet another call-up to the squad with the fast-bowler looking to bounce back from a tough tour of New Zealand.

Five Sharks players were picked ahead of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League this week, with the entire tournament being hosted in Pakistan for the first time.

David Wiese was the first Sussex player announced in the tournament after being retained by his team, Lahore Qalanders following an impressive tournament in 2019, averaging 45.33 with the bat.

Chris Jordan, a winner of the Pakistan Super League in 2017 with Peshawar Zalmi, was the next Sussex player to be drafted as he was picked up in the Diamond Category by Karachi Kings.

Phil Salt was drafted by Islamabad United, returning to the capital after playing there a year previous.

Tymal Mills was the next Sussex player to be drafted, as he returned to Quetta Gladiators, who he had previously played for in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

Ravi Bopara became the second Sussex player to be picked in the Diamond Category, picked by Multan Sultans, his second PSL club after previously playing for Karachi Kings, where he took the best figures in the tournament’s history of 6-16.

The tournament will start in February 2020 and will run till March 2020.

Bopara was involved elsewhere this week, as he looked to continue his fine form with Mzansi Super League side, Durban Heat.

The Heat beat Paarl Rocks by six wickets with Bopara having little involvement, bowling just one over for 15 runs, before a second game versus Jozi Stars was washed out.

Delray Rawlins was back in action this week, as his country Bermuda started their Cricket World Cup Challenge League campaign, a tournament which forms a pathway to qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

His first game of the week versus Hong Kong saw Bermuda beaten by three wickets with Rawlins making 11 and taking figures of 1-44.

They were unable to bounce back in there next two games, losing to Uganda by seven wickets with Rawlins making 53, before a washed out game versus Kenya, Rawlins making 35.

Danni Wyatt may have departed her Big Bash side, Melbourne Renegades early, as she joined up with the England camp ahead of their three-match series versus Pakistan, but she certainly made her presence felt.

The opener was named in the first-ever Women’s Big Bash League Team of the Tournament alongside Renegades teammates Jess Duffin and Molly Strano.

The Renegades had qualified for the semi-finals after an impressive campaign but were unable to reach their first final as they lost by four wickets to Brisbane Heat.

Whibleys’ trademark Christmas red ribbon is back on the Worthing store for the first time in seven years.

The ginormous bow, decorating the Whibleys the Jewellers store at 34–36 Warwick Street, always drew attention in the past as it stands out at the eastern end of the street, at the top of Steyne Gardens.

Sophie Hardman, office assistant, said: “Our Worthing branch’s trademark red ribbon has been reinstated for Christmas.

“This much spoken about Worthing Christmas decoration will be installed for the first time in seven years, due to previous technical difficulties that we have now overcome.”

Whibleys is a long-standing family business with origins in Gracechurch Street, London, in 1894. In 2006, the company bought Courlanders of Richmond and in 2008, it opened a shop in Horsham.

UPDATE: Such a shame it has now been ripped in the high winds

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 1,012 crimes involving knives or sharp instruments over the year ending June 2019 – compared with 346 for the year ending March 2011.

The 192 per cent increase dwarfs the national average of 44 per cent and shows no sign of abating, with countywide knife crime rising by a further 11 per cent over the past year.

The chief executive of anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust, Patrick Green, said the figures were ‘very disturbing’.

“We often associate knife crime as a problem that only affects big cities, but more and more we are seeing knife crime incidents occur in more and more places,” he said.

“We must act now by giving the police the resources they need to take knives and those who carry them off our streets. But the police acknowledge that they can’t just arrest their way out of this problem.

“On top of this we must do more to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime and help them to make safer decisions to stay safe.

“No child is born carrying a knife, it is learned behaviour. The Ben Kinsella Trust has shown how effective prevention programmes can be in tackling knife crime and this is something that we need to do far more of.”

Knives were most commonly used in assaults, accounting for just over half of the total knife crime in Sussex, according to the October report.

Around a third of crimes involving a bladed implement were robberies, which had increased in frequency by 23 per cent from June 2018 – compared to the national average of 11 per cent.

Of the 309 robberies reported, one quarter involved the use of a blade.

The number of police officers in Sussex has been slashed over the last decade, falling from 3,213 in 2010 to 2,645 in 2018, a drop of 18 per cent, as austerity cuts implemented by the Conservative government left the force needing to make £90million in savings.

Sussex Police’s assistant chief constable, Julia Chapman, said the force was taking steps to tackle the problem.

She pointed to the education and enforcement work of Operation Sceptre, a twice-yearly campaign including education on knife crime, knife amnesties to hand in unwanted weapons and undercover testing of age restrictions in shops.

“We would expect offences to increase due to this publicity,” she said.

“The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured £1.3 million in funding to help tackle knife crime, which includes funding for Reboot, our youth early intervention programme, as well as targeted high visibility patrolling and the use of knife arches (scanning devices).

“In addition, we are also set to recruit an extra 129 frontline police officers by 2021, which will further help to tackle the most serious crimes in our county.”

ACC Chapman added Sussex’s robbery rate was the 22nd lowest of the 42 forces in the UK and that random robberies were ‘relatively rare’.

Overall, the crime rate in Sussex has increased at a slower rate than the rest of the UK, rising by five per cent compared to the national average of six.

The force has been effective in tackling non-violent theft, reducing the rate by two per cent since last year. Shoplifting was down by six per cent and burglary was down by four, both in line with the national average.

The Ben Kinsella Trust was set up in memory of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella who was stabbed to death in London in 2008. It campaigns and educates nationwide about the dangers of knives.

Emergency 999 calls to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are now being handled in Surrey.

Previously the county ran a joint control centre with East Sussex based over in Haywards Heath.

But West Sussex County Council decided to pull out of this arrangement and has instead moved to a joint system with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

The new 999 combined control room, which went live last Thursday (December 5), only means a change of location for emergency calls and it will not affect the level of service provided to anyone calling 999.

According to the county council, the change brings a number of benefits for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service including greater functionality for staff and better value for money to both services.

In a first for any fire service, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is the first to fully migrate over to a cloud-based resource management system which integrates with the mobilising software to provide a resilient and seamless resource availability solution to control room staff.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, West Sussex’s chief fire officer, said: “The new 999 combined control room provides an efficient and effective emergency call handling service for West Sussex and this was at the forefront of our decision making.

“Bringing the two control rooms together will not affect the way 999 calls are handled, or the level of service people will receive when needing West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service in an emergency.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to praise all the control room staff and everyone who has worked closely with the project team to deliver this joint control room. We look forward to working with our new colleagues from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.”

Steve Owen-Hughes, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, added: “We are delighted to be taking 999 calls for West Sussex as well as Surrey from today. Our mobilising control system is state of the art, tried and tested and has the capacity to take a high volume of emergency calls.

“We welcome new opportunities to put the Policing and Crime Act 2017 into practice by collaborating with others for the benefit of all our residents. This arrangement will increase our resilience, staffing numbers and is also likely to result in efficiency savings for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

“Other successful collaborations include a joint occupational health service and joint training courses. We look forward to working with our colleagues in West Sussex.”

Sussex support groups for people with macular disease joined forces to raise money towards research for a cure.

The get-together at The Dome in Worthing for five Macular Society support groups was held to support a two-year project which aims to gain a better understanding of the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Pat Clemow, leader of the Worthing Area group, and Nick Le Mare, leader of the Shoreham group, organised the event to help to fund the study being conducted by the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Pat Clemow won the 2019 Chairman’s Award for Volunteering from the Macular Society

Joining members from their groups were others from the Arundel group and £400 was raised.

Guest speakers included eyecare professionals and there was a talk giving a brief history of the Grade II listed buidling, one of the oldest working cinemas in England.

Stella Black, Macular Society regional manager, said: “Events like these are an excellent way for our groups to meet, socialise and share ideas.

“Not only was it great for all of the groups to get together, it’s also enabled them to raise vital funds to help beat macular disease.

“Projects such as the one being undertaken by the teams from UCL and Moorfields are crucial in helping to find a cure for macular disease so it can be eradicated in future.”

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk.

The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces.

Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement.

There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. AMD is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

Arundel Macular Society Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 11am to 12.30pm, at the Swan Hotel, High Street, Arundel.

Brighton and Hove Macular Society Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 11am to 12.30pm, at Cornerstone Community Centre, Church Road, Hove.

Chichester Macular Society Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, at Pilgrim Court, Tozer Way, Chichester.

Shoreham Macular Society Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 10am to 12pm, at 4Sight Vision Support, the Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, Shoreham.

Worthing Area Macular Society Support Group meets on the first Friday of the month, 10am to 11.45am, at Sight Support Worthing, Rowlands Road, Worthing, and on the third Friday of the month, 10am to 11.45am at Rustington Manor Hotel, Broadmark Lane, Rustington.

Owen Cave’s goal proved to be the only moment of joy for the Swans as they were put to the sword by the Oak.

The Swans took the lead after just one minute when a long ball wasn’t dealt with by Aaron Stenning in the Mile Oak goal and Cave tapped home.

The visitors drew level after 20 minutes when Louie Foster pounced on Tom Biggs’ rebounded effort.

Oak took the lead five minutes later when Biggs scored a superb solo goal.

Biggs made it three on 38 minutes after beating Gary Elliot at the near post with a left footed strike.

Biggs completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes after his 30-yard effort nestled into the bottom corner.

Lee Early made it five on 75 minutes with an easy tap-in following some excellent build up by Biggs.

Joe Benn completed the rout on 89 minute when he headed home a George Rudwick cross.

After the match the Swans boss pointed to Biggs’ performance being the difference maker.

He said: “We were good in spells in the first half and that was because we were disciplined in our game plan.

“The moment we made a mistake or a lapse in concentration we paid the price.

“Their front man, Biggs, was a major difference, he caused us real problems.”

The Swans visit runaway leaders Littlehampton Town on Saturday and Bardouleau is expecting a test.

He added: “We are low on confidence and it doesn’t get tougher than Littlehampton.

“We will go there with a plan but with the squad they’ve assembled it will be a tough afternoon, but we are definitely up for the test.”

Praise has been heaped on Horsham’s ‘magical’ town centre Christmas lights.

Readers took to the County Times Facebook page to share their joy at the town’s festive illuminations.

Cherie Lee said: “Best I’ve ever seen in Horsham. Market Square is fabulous.

“Light Up Horsham was a fantastic idea!”

Becky Gallagher added: “They are beautiful and the light display is magical.

She said the illuminations give a warm Christmas feel to the town.

Michelle Grainger added: “Brilliant. The light show in Market Square is incredible.”

Several people said the illuminations were the best in several years.

Sue Le-Heup added that the lights were ‘very impressive’.

Sandra Spriggs said: “Good to see something a bit different.”

Read more: Air ambulance called to collision on A24 at Southwater

Read more: Bin collections in Horsham over Christmas and New Year: What you need to know

Read more: Shocking figures reveal huge increase in Sussex knife crime since 2010

The A259 between Bognor Regis and Littlehampton needs dualling, according to one senior district councillor.

The corridor between the two towns has been identified by West Sussex County Council as a priority for investment in its strategic transport investment programme.

The first stage of the work is a feasibility study, which will consider the issues and a full range of options between the junctions of the A259 with the B2259 Flansham and the proposed A284 Lyminster Bypass.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed by spring of next year.

An update was provided to West Sussex County Council’s Joint Western Arun Area Committee on Wednesday November 27.

Martin Lury, cabinet member for planning at Arun District Council, said: “It worries me this could be seven or eight years until we implement dualling that this road clearly needs.”

But Jacky Pendleton, county councillor for Middleton, replied: “I think that’s an assumption in terms of dualling. The design work will ascertain what is needed.”

She also asked if her parishes of Yapton, Ford, Climping and Middleton-on-Sea could be involved in any consultation.

Colin Humphris, chairman of Clymping Parish Council, asked about the likelihood of more strategic options being ruled out by the initial design work. He also asked for parishes ‘not to be excluded at an early stage’.

According to council officers the A259 corridor has been identified as a priority due to the cumulative impact of development sites allocated in Arun’s local plan as well as existing congestion and safety concerns.

Some of the development sites have already been granted planning permission, while other sites are expected to come forward within the next five years.

The officers’ update reads: “The options to be explored include sustainable transport infrastructure that could help to mitigate development and benefit the wider community as part of a comprehensive package of improvements to the corridor.”

They describe how the corridor was identified by Transport for the South East as one of its priorities for major road network funding, but due to the need for significant preparatory work ‘it is likely to be several years until improvements are delivered’.