Elsewhere, Hurstpierpoint II started life in their new division with a 2-2 draw against St Francis Hospital, who had Simon Hatton on target with two goals as he returned from injury.Dave Worthy and Dave Ward netted for Hurst.

In Division One, Heath Pilgrims slammed Newick 5-3, with Kevin Burgess (2), Gary Oliver (2) and Andy Gibbons scoring as Darren Ward (2) and Paul Kemp replied for the visitors.

John Barclay grabbed all four goals for Hassocks III as they won 4-3 at Lewes Rovers in Division Two while Martin Humphreys hit a hat-trick and Michael Broadstock chipped in with the other in Haywards Heath II destruction of Ansty Rangers.

In Division Three, Clayton's Jason Nye also hit a hat-trick as his side picked up a 5-1 win at St Francis Hospital, the other goals came from Michael Medhurst and Roy Maunick.

Ardingly defeated Bridge View 4-1 with Ian Tremble (2) , Andy Jackson and an own goal doing the damage while Cuckfield beat Maresfield 3-0 in Division Four after Ray Leaney (2) and Terry Bowyer found the net. Turners Hill started life in Division Four with a 4-2 win over Nutley as Barry Hepple (2), Andy Jackson and Guy Warner hit home for the hosts. Michael Beckmann replied with a brace for Nutley.

Franklands Village just missed out on promotion last season and their new season in Division Five got off to a bad start with a 3-1 home defeat against Lindfield, who scored through Ben Cooper (2) and Tony Rimmer. Newick hammered Cuckfield 5-1, with goals from Paul Wilkinson (2), Matt Staplehurst (2) and Peter Heraty while newly promoted Sovereign Finance beat Wealden 2-1 with Phil Harding and Micky Pearce on the scoresheet.

Ditchlings Robin Roberts bagged a hat-trick while Andy Waterman and Nigel Maybury also netted in a 5-2 win at DMS Cuckfield in Division Six.

Kevin Harper and Simon Gault struck for Ardingly as they beat Turners Hill 2-1 in Division Seven , while a single goal from Ian Rayner gave Balcombe the best possible start to life in Division Eight with a 1-0 victory over St Francis Hospital. Nick Redfern was Hassock Village's cutting edge last season and he started in impressive style again, grabbing a hat-trick in a 6-0 win at Wealden.

Played on a poor surface the bumpy pitch took a while getting used to as both sides found it impossible to run any distance with the ball with any degree of control. The traditional season opener saw Pottage take a 1-0 lead on the half hour mark after a mistake by the East Grinstead goalkeeper and with United seemingly on top.

The second half though was dominated throughout by Pease Pottage with East Grinstead rarely troubling the opposition goalkeeper. Two more quick goals on 70 and 75 minutes meant that there would be no way back for United.

TEAMS :

East Grinstead United: O'Hara, Varney, Piper, Murphy, O'Reagan, Bliss, Raymond, Buckles, Cherry, Thompson, Read. SUBS : Matson, Fuchs, Frasier.