Chichester City United suffered their first postponement of the season on Saturday when heavy overnight rain washed out their scheduled trip to Sidley United.

The sloping pitch at the Gullivers is notoriously heavy at this time of the year and was unable to cope with another downpour onto an already saturated playing surface.

City have another blank weekend coming up with several members of the first team squad included in the Sussex representative side that is flying out to Jersey to play in the South West Counties Championship on Saturday. In fact there is no more competitive action for the City first team until they travel to Horsham YMCA on 7 February.

However there appeared to be significant events going on elsewhere that may yet have a major influence on City's title hopes. St Leonards failed to fulfil their fixture at Redhill on Saturday to renew reports that they are about to withdraw from the County League. The Club's website admits that Winding Up order from H.M.Customs and Excise may cause the Club to fold within a few days unless a rescue package materialises. League rules say that if a Club withdraws before the end of February their playing record will be expunged. If that happens City will lose the three points they won off St Leonards in October but their closest rivals, East Preston, will only lose one point after drawing in East Sussex. In effect City's lead at the top of the table would be cut to one point with East Preston having a game in hand.

Chichester Reserves aslo had their game called off against Eastbourne Town on Saturday but remain in third place in the Reserve Premier League, but will have to go some to catch Eastbourne Borough who are currently two points clear with two games in hand. Chichester Reserves entertain sixth placed East Grinstead Town at Church Road next week (KO 3pm).

Report written by Trevor Wallis