Despite Asad Ssemwogerere’s first half goal, the slippery conditions seemed to suit the bulky Midhurst back line, as they played out as comfortable victors.

A sluggish start to an 11am kick off on Boxing Day was expected as it took 22 minutes for the first sight of goal. Tom Dinsmoore crossed low with Duncan Brown of Midhurst deflecting the cross, looping dangerously towards goal but was caught by Harry Adey .

The game sprung into life after 30 minutes, first a Max Allen cross was dealt with well by Adey but he could do nothing a minute later for the opener. Callum Kimber latching onto a lofted pass controlled well into the area. Ssemwogerere, in space called for ball, received it and bent into the far corner.

By the 37th minute the hosts were level through Aaron O’Brien. After controversy with the first goal due to a foul on Owen Sheriff it was all square as Jack Farrier claimed a foul that never arrived. O’Brien was at the back post to power past Connell into the roof of the net.

The hosts completed the turnaround just before half time with a heavy deflection off Will Webb, a Sheriff header from a corner.

As expected in a local derby tempers flared with cards being brandished for both sides. Charlie Merritt was sent to the sin bin after 56 minutes, halted the pursuit of an equaliser.

Midhurst and Eastbourne put the game to bed with a well worked third. A good cross into the box had Bowerman and Farrier jostling, with the striker touching out of feet then striking across Connell to score.

The visitors rallied late on trying to put pressure on with Harrison Cable getting the most luck however the score line remained.