Some weeks ago you printed a letter from someone concerned at over-development in the county without the infrastructure needed to support it.

In reply someone from Wealden Planning Department, in the strange language these people use to justify their actions, (I wonder how they communicate with their families?) cited various instances of local authorities like his busily moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic before disaster strikes.

It would be useful if the same individual could explain why, in Wealden, if an ordinary householder tries to improve his home in any way, then the full force of the planning department, with its many rules and regulations, will be turned on him whereas if a developer wants to build 200 or so houses, he might be waved through without question with planning permission.

Equally, perhaps someone from East Sussex County Council Highways could explain why at Ridgewood near Uckfield, Taylor Woodrow is allowed to site an access point to a large estate on a bend – agreed in a letter to me by the leader of the council to be dangerous?

Perhaps your readers could do what I intend to do at the next council elections when the current lot seek re-election and tell them to go and see the developers.

Roy Harris,

Swift Close

Uckfield

It was the first start for the Brazilian since the 4-0 loss at Manchester City way back in August.

Bernardo sustained his knee problem in training after the City defeat and the impact injury took much longer than expected to heal.

Bernardo was used as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw at Palace but starting yesterday's match pain free at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a big moment for the left sided player.

"It was good," admitted Bernardo. "Playing in this stadium, with an amazing atmosphere, in such an important game made it even more special.

"I've been waiting for my first touch for such a long time after picking up my injury. You need to recondition yourself to be prepared to play 90 minutes again. Obviously it's not the result we wanted, but from my perspective it was an individual victory to be back on the pitch without feeling any sort of pain."

Brighton produced a decent display at Spurs and took the lead through Adam Webster's first half header. They were denied however in the second half by two excellent finishes from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

"Definitely, the way we played I think deserved a draw," said the 24-year-old who signed for Brighton for £9m in 2018 from RB Leipzig. "I think the match was equal, they had a really good moment in the beginning of the second half, but if you analyse the match overall I think a draw would be fair, and that is really disappointing.

"But we are in the right way. We just need to fix some small details and then we will start to get good performances and more points.

"We obviously had the chance but the reality is that we didn't take the opportunities, but they [Spurs] did take theirs.

"It is 2-1 to Tottenham, and we got zero points. This is what I was talking about when I said 'small details', it's about getting the chance and scoring the goal."

Bernardo will hope to keep his place in the team for Brighton's home fixture against Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium this Saturday.

At this time of the year, getting to see a GP soon can be almost impossible but a new online consultation service means that patients in East Sussex can see a doctor by video during evenings and weekends 365 days a year – even on Christmas day!

LIVI has been made available free on the NHS by South Downs Health and Care – a local Federation of NHS GP practices in Eastbourne, Hailsham, Seaford and the surrounding areas. [c1] 

LIVI is free to patients and offers a safe, fast and easy way to book GP consultations via smartphone or tablet. They have already delivered more than a million GP consultations for patients who have given the service an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.

After downloading the app, patients in East Sussex can speak to experienced NHS GPs who are able to provide medical advice, prescriptions, and make referrals to local NHS services in exactly the same way as your usual doctor.

The app is available for download on iOS and Android. It is designed to be quick and easy to use and integrates with existing NHS systems so that minimal set-up and effort is required for patients.

It is highly popular with people who struggle to get to their GP surgery either through mobility issues, work commitments or childcare.

It has also earned particular praise from parents with children aged from two to 16, who can often need medical advice quickly and at ‘out of hours’ times.

The benefits for patients and doctors are enormous. At a time when it is sometimes very difficult to see a GP, LIVI allows patients to see a doctor when it suits them, including evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. As well as helping patients, the service reduces pressure on A&E services and allows GP practices more time to treat patients who need a physical examination or have more complex needs.

The pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments is well known and the statistics back this up with an NHS survey published in August revealing that one in four people across the country had to wait more than a week to see a GP. Consequently, 12% of patients who could not make the GP appointment they were offered went to A&E.

Find our more here.

Brighton and Hove Albion have just one win in their last eight Premier League matches and will target a vital three points against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Albion played pretty well last time out at Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur but sublime finishes from Harry Kane and Dele Alli saw them leave north London with nothing.

Their previous home match resulted a 1-0 home loss to Sheffield United and Brighton fans are in much need of some festive cheer. Graham Potter's men are just two points above the drop zone with 20 points from 19 matches.

Bournemouth have an identical record and both teams are fully aware that Premier League survival is far from guaranteed. Last season Bournemouth hammered Albion 5-0 – their heaviest home league defeat since December 1973.

What time does Brighton v Bournemouth kick off?

The game kicks off at 12.30pm at the Amex.

Is the game on TV?

Yes. It will be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League

What’s the team news?

Brighton will hope to have their skipper Lewis Dunk available after he was ruled out at Tottenham due to an illness. Davy Propper and Neal Maupay could also return after being rested for Spurs. Bernardo is available having made his first start since August at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Solly March (groin) and Izquierdo (knee) are absent.

Bournemouth are struggling with injuries and will be without Nathan Aké (hamstring), Smith (ankle), David Brooks (ankle), Daniels (knee), Danjuma (foot), Kelly (thigh), H Wilson (leg). David Rico is suspended.

Brighton form LWDDLL

Bournemouth form LLLWLD

Who is the referee?

Referee: Paul Tierney. Assistants: Daniel Cook, Marc Perry. Fourth official: James Linington. VAR: Graham Scott. Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday.

What are the odds?

Brighton are 3/4 to claim a home win while Eddie Howe's Cherries are available at 10/3. A draw is 29/10.

Neal Maupay is 9/2 to score first, with Bournemouth's Callum Wilson at 13/2. Adam Webster who has three goals this season for Brighton is 28/1 as is Bournemouth's Dan Gosling.

A 1-1 draw is the favoured result at 7/1 with a 2-0 triumph for Brighton at 8/1. A 2-1 win for Bournemouth is currently 14/1.

A shocked couple from Sussex have expressed their disgust after an Amazon delivery driver allegedly urinated in their driveway while dropping off a parcel.

On Friday, December 13, Tracey Krelle from Linnett Close, Littlehampton, opened the door to an Amazon employee who handed over a bottle of whiskey she had ordered as a Christmas present, while their colleague allegedly relieved himself up the side of the delivery van.

The 49-year-old said she heard a sound 'like running water': "I asked 'What is that noise? Has someone turned on a tap?'

"I then realised he'd done a wee, because he then got back into the van."

She said she was 'horrified, upset, disgusted and devastated' by the whole affair, adding: "The thought of someone doing that is just grim."

Her husband Matt had just dropped their teenage sons home from school when it happened, at around 3.15pm, so they witnessed the whole incident.

He said: "The kids were in the car with me and then I hear my 14-year-old saying 'it was all frothy'. I asked what he was talking about, and he said 'that man's wee - it was all frothy'."

An angry Matt got out and confronted the accused. He claimed they denied it happened at all.

The father-of-two said it 'beggared belief': "There was a great big puddle outside the house.

"I'm absolutely fuming. It was disgusting. Although the whiskey was in the usual Amazon box, my wife refused to touch it and we got rid of it."

The 49-year-old used 'the best part of a Fairy liquid bottle and a hose' to clean down the driveway, because 'there was a stain there'.

The couple reported the incident to Amazon, who sent employees to their house to view CCTV footage Matt had taken and gave them a Christmas hamper as an apology.

They also contacted Sussex Police. A force spokesman confirmed the details of what happened had been reported to them and said: "This incident has been reported to Amazon, which is dealing with it in accordance with its policies and procedures."

An Amazon spokesman said: "This does not reflect the high standards we have for delivery service providers.

"We are investigating and have been in direct communication with the customer."

Alireza Jahanbakhsh opened the scoring against Bournemouth with his first ever goal for Brighton and Hove Albion in 27 appearances.

Jahanbakhsh, who joined Albion for £17m in 2018, fired home in the second minute after a Neal Maupay teed him up.

It was a fine finish and he became the third Iranian player to score in the Premier League.

It sparked emotional celebrations from Jahanbakhsh who has been linked with a with January move away from the club. It was his first start of the season and his first start under Brighton head coach Graham Potter.

Brighton and Hove Albion enjoyed a 2-0 victory against Eddie Howe's Bournemouth.

But who shone and who struggled for Albion?

The Seagulls suffered their biggest home defeat in the Premier League in this fixture last season but got off to a dream start this time around, when Jahanbakhsh hit his first goal for the club

The game was not without controversy, with VAR overruling a second-half goal from Dan Burn after the left-back was judged to be offside.

Brighton did not have to wait too long for their second goal, however, as Aaron Mooy, who impressed throughout in the centre of midfield, took a touch on his chest before firing home and making sure of all three points for the home side.

The result moves the Seagulls three points above Bournemouth, who have just two wins from their last 14 top-flight matches.

Less than three minutes after the game kicked off, Jahanbakhsh struck the ball past Aaron Ramsdale to give his side an early lead, before falling to the ground in tears as he became the third Iranian to find the net in the Premier League.

The Cherries almost struck back immediately, with Maty Ryan forced into a diving save to prevent Joshua King from finding the far corner after he was cleverly played in by Diego Rico.

Both sides enjoyed periods of possession after the opener, with Mooy running the midfield for Brighton, but clear-cut opportunities proved hard to come by.

The home side appeared to have doubled their lead at the start of the second half after the Cherries' defence were unable to clear the ball, which fell to the towering Burn who took a touch before turning and slotting past Ramsdale.

Referee Paul Tierney awarded the goal only for VAR to undertake a lengthy review for offside, and left-back Burn was denied his first for the Seagulls.

Brighton came close to striking again just moments later, as Yves Bissouma drove into the box, and his low drive beat the goalkeeper but rebounded back off the post.

VAR intervened for a second time at the 75-minute mark for a possible handball by Jack Stacey, with the referee's original decision upheld and no spot-kick awarded.

However, Mooy doubled his side's lead in the 79th minute.

The 29-year-old, on loan from Huddersfield, controlled the ball from Leandro Trossard on his chest, before taking it away from the defender and steering home.

Bournemouth had made all of their substitutions and had to finish the game with 10 men after Stacey was forced from the field through injury.

A woman has been taken to hospital after a brutal attack at a beauty spot in a Sussex town.

Yesterday evening (December 27) a woman in her thirties climbed the steps at Exmouth Place in the Old Town, Hastings, which leads to the West Hill, police said.

Once there, she then sat on the second to last bench at the top of the hill.

The spot offers spectacular views of the town and the coastline.

At around 9.30pm, Sussex Police said a man with long hair approached the woman from behind and assaulted her.

According to the police spokesman, she was punched and kicked by the suspect, leaving her with multiple facial and abdominal injuries.

The victim was taken to Conquest Hospital in Hastings for treatment.

Police officers were called to the area and searched the surrounding area for the suspect, but he could not be found.

The spokesman said: "Anyone with information or saw a man acting suspiciously in this area at this to report online or call 101 quoting 1369 of 27/12."

See if our photographer Phil Westlake captured you in the crowd

A well-taken strike after just two minutes against Bournemouth saw Jahanbakhsh net his first ever goal in a Brighton and Hove Albion shirt.

It was the Iranian's first Premier League start of the season and it helped Albion to an impressive and much-needed 2-0 victory against Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium.

Jahanbakhsh, a £17m signing from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in 2018, was overcome with emotion following his early opener.

His teammates were delighted for him and tears were in his eyes as he fell to the floor and attempted to gather his thoughts as the home crowd were finally able to celebrate with him.

Jahanbakhsh did compose himself and went on to deliver a fine overall performance as an excellent second half goal from Aaron Mooy sealed victory for Albion who move up to 13th.

The 26-year-old joined Brighton 18 months ago and was the Dutch golden boot winner with AZ Alkmaar having notched 21 goals before playing at the World Cup for Iran.

The Premier League however proved much harder as Jahanbakhsh failed to score or claim as assist in 25 appearances last campaign. Against Bournemouth he was one of seven changes from Albion's Boxing Day loss at Tottenham.

“It took longer than I expected to get my chance this season and I was determined to grab it,” added Jahanbakhsh, who was told he would be starting for the first time under Graham Potter on Friday. “I’ve been training well day in day out and every time I get my chance I want to make an impact.

"It has been a very tough time for me and my family. Last season was not the best season for me. This time, half the season I did not play. But now I'm settling down, I like the city and I have a very good relationship with the boys.

"I had ups and downs last year, trying to settle," Jahanbakhsh said. "This season it felt good with the new manager. He wanted to use different players, but I've been doing well in training and was ready for my chance."

Jahanbakhsh's strike took the visitors by surprise. Mooy broke quickly from midfield and found Maupay in the box. Maupay held up the ball well and rolled it back for Jahanbakhsh who cracked a low right-footed drive beyond Aaron Ramsdale.

"Neal (Maupay) held the ball up," said the Iranian international. "I just tried to shoot as hard as I can. It was a good goal I think. The early goal helped the team get confident and for the rest of the game we almost dominated all of it.

“I always felt we had control of the game. We have had some good performances recently and been a bit unlucky. At home, with our fans behind us, I thought we did a great job as a team. Every individual helped each other, we created chances and defensively we were very good.”

The footage shows a man believed to be Anthony walking along White Hill, Lewes, opposite the Elephant and Castle pub, away from the town at 7.19pm on Friday, 20 December. The same man is then spotted on the same road at 7.37pm walking back towards Market Street, according to Sussex Police.

He was then captured on CCTV walking up Market Street – back towards The Lamb - at 7.41pm. This is 20 minutes after his phone was switched off, according to the time captured on the CCTV image.

The 33-year-old firefighter was with a group of friends at The Lamb pub in Fisher Street, Lewes, on Friday 20 December, but for unknown reasons he left the premises alone about 7.16pm, police said.

Chief Inspector Sarah Godley said: “This new CCTV footage comes as a result of footage from a number of premises being reviewed in the area. Although it is before the confirmed CCTV image we released of Anthony walking up Market Street at 7.41pm on the evening of his disappearance, it may jog someone’s memory from that night.

“Anthony has a distinctive walk and we believe in releasing this footage more people may come forward with information. We are appealing for anyone in this CCTV footage to make contact with us so we can confirm whether this is Anthony.

“Extensive searches continue throughout the local area and these have been supported by local officers, drones, dog unit, London Fire Brigade, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service helicopter, Sussex Search and Rescue and HM Coastguard.

“In addition to the local area, we have also extended our search of the River Ouse north towards Hamsey, and we will continue to search for Anthony until we get the answers his family are so desperately seeking.

“The flood water has been making some of the searches difficult but we remain committed to our searches to find Anthony. We would like to thank the public for the tremendous support in our investigation and remind people of their responsibility for their personal safety when out and about.”

Anthony is described as white, approximately 6', of medium build and with medium-brown short gelled hair. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved top, a dark denim suit-style jacket, dark denim jeans and black shoes. He is also said to have a distinctive walk, with a slight bounce.

Anyone who may have seen Anthony or who has other relevant information is asked to contact Sussex Police online or by phoning 101, quoting Operation Barnstaple. In an emergency, please dial 999.

Mooy however is a player at the very top of his game at the moment and the 29-year-old, on loan from Huddersfield, controlled the ball and then bamboozled Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham with an instant turn and flick of the right foot.

Mepham was left on his backside as Mooy composed himself and curled a beauty beyond the reach of away keeper Aaron Ramsdale and into the top corner. Sky commentator Alan Smith even lauded the Brighton player for showing "shades of Dennis Bergkamp" with the strike.

It was his first goal for Brighton in the Premier League and capped a brilliant display from the Australian International, who earlier in the match was instrumental in Alireza Jahanbakhsh's opening goal.

It helped Brighton to an important 2-0 victory against Bournemouth and saw Graham Potter's Albion open up a five point gap between themselves and the drop zone.

Mooy's performance also drew praise from BBC pundit Danny Murphy: "He was at it again today, he knitted the play really well," said the former Liverpool midfielder speaking on Match of the Day. "The only surprise with this guy is that he hasn't scored more goals, it was his first goal.

"Mooy became a number 10, rather than staying high up the pitch and he caused Bournemouth all sorts of problems. He is a clever player. He finds the pockets of space. On the rare occasions he loses the ball he has the tenacity to win it back.

"He was making things happen. He is not the quickest but he sees the passes. He nearly got a goal earlier with a superb strike. But as the game went on he did get his reward he scored an absolutely wonderful goal and this is thing he should be doing more.

"Playing in this position helps him because it allows him the freedom to get forward. It was a good pass in and a superb little touch and a well deserved goal."

There can be no doubt left in anybody’s mind that 2019 has been the most important and progressive year for women’s football.

It has been a year for trailblazers to emerge, future stars to be born and titles to be won and lost which in its purest form - is what football is really about - winning and losing.

England’s fourth-place finish at that World Cup was considered by many to be an underachievement which just goes to show how far the nation has progressed in unison with the sport.

Next year, Phil Neville will have the task of leading Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics and who knows what position we will be in by the time the home European Championships roll around in 2021?

But in the meantime, here’s a look back at some of the most memorable moments of this year.

1. World Cup fever

The FIFA World Cup - the biggest platform there is to showcase footballing talent to the world.

Just hearing the words has probably already set your mind racing; Ellen White celebrating, Parris and Houghton penalties, Lucy Bronze making everyone else look average and the sheer drama of the semi-final defeat to the USA.

The competition itself was by no means perfect with question marks over attendances and organisation throughout but viewing figures in the UK tell you all you need to know about the impact it had on the nation.

England’s semi-final defeat to the USA was watched by 11.7 million people and the live match audiences more than doubled from 2015 - these are the type of statistics that suggest just one thing: progress.

2. Money, Money, Money...

It seems crazy to think now that prior to the beginning of this season, the top division of women’s football in this country had no title sponsor.

That means there was no official prize money for 2018/19 winners Arsenal, but this year, for the first time ever, there will be a £500,000 prize-money pot for the eventual champions.

The numbers are still desperately low in comparison to the men’s game, but Barclays' announcement of their £10 million three-year investment in March was another landmark moment for women’s football in the UK.

3. Tumbling attendance records

So far, women’s football headlines have told just as much about off-the-pitch events than on-the-pitch action – in a good way.

New attendance records are constantly being set in women’s football, both at an international and domestic level.

First, England broke the record for the highest attendance at a Lionesses’ home fixture when 77,768 watched their 2-1 defeat to Germany at Wembley before Spurs broke the WSL attendance record by bringing 38,262 to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for the North London derby.

Meanwhile, Chelsea secured the record for a WSL game at a women’s home ground with 4,790 at Kingsmeadow in November and inbetween we’ve seen crowds of more than 20,000 flock to the London Stadium and Stamford Bridge – all positive signs for the women’s game.

4. The Bronze Age

If there was one player from the home nations who stood out head and shoulders above the rest in 2019, it was Lucy Bronze.

Her talent with a football is one of the worst kept secrets in the sport but for anyone who hadn’t heard about it - they have now.

A three-time WSL winner during her time on these shores and back-to-back Champions League winner since moving to Lyon - it’s her individual award trophy cabinet that now looks fit to burst.

Bronze picked up the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award and finished second to the USA’s Megan Rapinoe at the Ballon d’Or awards to prove herself among the very best players on the planet at the turn of the decade.

5. Kerr signs for the Blues

In November, Chelsea announced they had completed the signing of Australian Sam Kerr in what is widely considered to be the most high-profile transfer in history of the sport in the UK.

Kerr, who captains her country, has won five consecutive golden boots in the American and Australian domestic leagues and opted to sign for the Blues because ‘the WSL is the best league in Europe.’

Whether that is true or not, it is clear that both the message and the product has gone truly global and if the WSL can attract more players like Kerr, the future certainly looks bright.

The immediate future of Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains uncertain despite his impressive goal scoring display in the 2-0 victory against Bournemouth last Saturday.

Jahanbakhsh, 26, claimed his first ever goal for Brighton following his £17m arrival from AZ Alkmaar in 2018.

The Iranian international has hardly featured under Graham Potter this season but made his first Premier League start of the campaign against Eddie Howe's team.

Jahanbakhsh scored after just two minutes when his right-footed shot flew beyond away keeper Aaron Ramsdale after good work from Neal Maupay.

It was an emotional celebration from Jahanbakhsh but whether it kick-starts his Albion career or simply reminds potential January bidders of his availability remains to be seen.

Does he want to stay at Brighton for the rest of the season? "Yes, why not I feel good," said Jahanbakhsh after the match. "I am here I did not plan anything and I didn't even talk about it with anyone. But we will see what the future brings.

"To be honest we have not spoke about it. So I don't know what the future will bring for me. Every footballer wants to play regularly. You guys (journalists) want to do your job. All of a sudden if they stop you to do that, it feels weird for you guys.

"As a footballer this is my job. I would love to play every single game but that is something the manager decides. I always try to respect that."

Jahanbakhsh has always been a regular starter for his previous clubs in the Netherlands with Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie and AZ Alkmaar and he admits struggling to break into the Albion team has been mentally taxing.

"It is very difficult mentally to keep yourself there. To train well and keep yourself at high performance. It has been very tough for me. The last couple of weeks for me and my family it has been very difficult because such a thing never happened in my career.

"It was not expected. Last season it was not the best season for me for statistics. I then missed a lot of games (this season) half the games I did not play and then Asia Cup injuries etc.

"The manager comes in and tries his new tactic with new players and that's understandable but I was hoping to get my chances earlier. But at the same time I was respecting the managers decision. I never complained but inside myself I was very frustrated.

"I speak to my family and my best friends, the guys who are really trusting. They have been there in the good days and the bad days as well. Those are the people who have always inspired me."

Brighton head coach Graham Potter added, "I like Alireza and very pleased for him. He offers us something different."

It was a successful week for Sussex cricket stars in their endeavours around the world, with Jofra Archer and Travis Head impressing in particular.

Archer took his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Archer had a slow start to the first Test in South Africa, taking just the one wicket in South Africa’s first innings and making just three runs in England first go.

This may have been down to the fast-bowler still feeling the effects of illness that he and other teammates had suffered throughout the week. However, he bounced back in South Africa’s second innings as he took figures of 5-102 to help bowl out the Proteas for 272 as England were set a target of 376 runs to win.

Despite a good start to the chase at the end of day three, England collapsed on day four as they lost nine wickets for 129 runs, Archer making just four as the visitors lost by 107 runs.

Head had yet another successful week with Australia as he helped his side to an impressive 247-run victory over New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Head top-scored in the Australian first innings as he notched his second Test century, finishing on 114 as New Zealand struggled to control the Australian batsman. He backed up his century with 32 in the second innings as he went in search in quick runs before a declaration, before the Australian bowlers wrapped up the Test to stretch their series lead to 2-0.

Away from international cricket, Ravi Bopara continued his campaign in the Bangladeshi Premier League.

Bopara was in fine form for Rajshahi Royals as he finished another game, smashing 41 off 23 balls to help chase down 171. The all-rounder only made 10 in his next game versus Cumilla Warriors, but his team still ran out winners by 15 runs.

Laurie Evans was not in action for Dhaka Platoon and they were soon regretting dropping him, as they suffered back-to-back defeats.

Back in Australia, Phil Salt, Rashid Khan and Chris Jordan were in action with their Big Bash League franchises. The three players faced off each other this week, with Salt and Rashid lining up for Adelaide Strikers and Chris Jordan for Perth Scorchers.

Salt only made 2 in the Strikers innings, with Jordan taking the catch off Jhye Richardson to dismiss him. Jordan meanwhile went wicketless, his four overs going for 48 runs.

Rashid made his impact with the ball, taking three wickets for 40 runs, with Salt making his presence felt in the field, taking three catches, including a stunning diving catch to dismiss Cam Green.

Jordan tried to add some late runs with some big hitting, but the Scorchers fell just short as they lost by 15 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method after earlier rain.

The Scorchers failed to bounce back in their second game of the week versus Sydney Sixers despite Jordan impressing with the ball, taking figures of 3-29 as the Sixers amassed 174/7.

The Scorchers crumbled in reply as they were bowled out for 126, with Jordan making 6 runs, with the Scorchers now sitting second from bottom.

Meanwhile, the Strikers continued their good form as they beat Melbourne Stars by five runs to climb up to third spot. However, Salt made only 14 in the Strikers total of 174/4, with some late fireworks from Rashid pushing them to the total.

Rashid took figures of 1-23 from his allocation before teammate Peter Siddle bowled a tight last over as the Strikers clinched their second win of the season. Salt was soon able to redeem himself when the Strikers took on defending champions Melbourne Renegades later in the week.

The explosive opener reached his first BBL half-century off just 23 balls but was dismissed for 54 as the Strikers made 155/6 with Rashid chipping in with 25 from 16 balls.

Rashid had another superb performance with the ball, taking 2-15 as well as running out Aaron Finch, with Salt also adding a run-out of his own as the Strikers won by 18 runs to go top of the table.

Five-time Olympian, World, European and Commonwealth champion Mark Foster gave an ‘inspiring’ keynote speech to staff at a leisure centre in Seaford.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star joined the team at Seaford Head Swimming Pool on December 17, with his speech focusing on inspiring staff to reach their full potential, according to a Wave Leisure Trust spokesperson.

Duncan Kerr, chief executive of the trust, said, “It has been a fantastic year for Wave and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team, our volunteers, partners and customers who enable us to make a difference across our local communities.

“Mark Foster embodies our purpose of inspiring active lifestyles and so it was a great pleasure to welcome him to Wave and share with him the progress we’ve been making.

“2020 is set to be an important year for us as we launch our ‘25 Alive’ campaign with a mission to ensure that every child can swim 25m by the age of 11, and continue to make a difference in local communities through our engagement activities for those with special educational needs and disabilities, our work aligned with the primary care sector and our health-focused activities.”

A spokesperson for Wave said the speech came as part of celebrations which also marked achievements for the trust in 2019.

This year Wave welcomed Sky High Trampoline Park in Peacehaven to its portfolio and Eastbourne Borough Council offered a grant to support a long-term project to provide improved leisure, sports and community services, and support healthcare and wellbeing in Eastbourne.

For more information about Wave Leisure Trust Ltd, visit www.waveleisure.co.uk.

From Jess Ennis’ 2012 heptathlon gold to Dina’s Doha exploits, Helen Housby’s match-winning goal on the Gold Coast to Maddie Hinch’s heroics in Rio – it’s been quite the decade for Britain’s female sporting superstars.

The 2010s will go down as a decade where the landscape of women’s sport changed like never before and below we took a look at ten of the most defining moments.

The one shot that changed netball forever

Helen Housby will never score another goal that will mean more for her sport.

Her last-minute winner against Australia in the 2018 Commonwealth Games netball final not only clinched a historic first gold for England, but it changed the face of the sport forever.

Since that moment, netball in the UK has surged to new heights of popularity, with 130,700 adult women taking up netball off the back of that single game.

Sky Sports’ netball viewing figures more than doubled, the national team signed sponsorship deals with Vitality and Nike and thousands of tickets were sold for the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool.

Long overdue, but Housby’s winner finally granted netball the respect it has always deserved.

GB women win first hockey gold in Rio

But before Housby there was Hinch, the hockey goalkeeper whose penalty shootout heroics won Great Britain women their first-ever Olympic gold medal.

After a tense final, Team GB and the Netherlands drew 3-3. Without Hinch in the shootout, the gold medal may have never been theirs, the goalkeeper keeping out all four Netherlands attempts to secure the 2-0 win.

Seen by 9.7 million people on the BBC, hockey was never to be the same again. Most of the Olympic gold-medal team have now retired, but that didn’t stop more than 10,000 people attending Twickenham Stoop to see the sport in action.

Suzann Pettersen wins the Solheim Cup for Europe

Catriona Matthew’s decision to select Pettersen as her final captain’s pick for the 2019 Solheim Cup was a controversial one.

The 38-year-old Norwegian may have won 15 LPGA titles and two major championships, but she had barely played in two years prior to Gleneagles, primarily due to giving birth.

But turns out a gamble can pay off. Her birdie on the final hole helped Team Europe come from behind to defeat Team USA, 14 ½ to 13 ½, in one of the most memorable Solheim Cups in recent history.

Jess Ennis spearheads Britain’s finest hour

Ask any sports fan to recall their favourite moments of the decade and Super Saturday is almost guaranteed to be mentioned.

Three athletes gave us the greatest single hour – and perhaps the greatest-ever night, in the long history of British athletics – and one of them was Jessica Ennis.

In one of the iconic moments of the London Games, Ennis, the poster girl of 2020, fulfilled her destiny by being crowned Olympic heptathlon champion after a series of personal bests carried her to gold.

From then on, the word heptathlon was synonymous with the name Ennis and she will forever be remembered for that spectacular night on home soil.

Nicola Adams wins first women’s Olympic boxing gold

Nicola Adams is a trailblazer in every sense of the word.

In 2012, women’s boxing made its long-awaited Olympic debut and it was none other than England’s very own Nicola Adams who defeated three-time world champion Ren Cancan to win the flyweight title in front of a home crowd.

Being not only the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title, but also the first to defend it four years later means Adams leaves a legacy of inspiration.

The nation fell in love with an athlete who wasn’t afraid to fight for what she believed in, whether that be in the boxing ring or in her work outside, particularly in campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights.

Everyone who has heard of her will have been moved by her reluctant decision to retire from boxing in November, but thankful to know that her legacy will continue to live on.

The first thrilling World Cup final at Lord’s

England men’s cricket team made history when they won their first-ever World Cup in remarkable fashion at Lord’s back in July, yet unbeknownst to some it is a feat the women had already achieved.

It is the first time that both England men and women have reigned as world champions at the same time, but the women’s nine-run victory over India in the summer of 2017 was their fifth World Cup win.

That didn’t mean it was any less spectacular – in fact, it was more so with Heather Knight lifting the trophy in front of a sell-out crowd at Lord’s – proving women’s cricket belongs in the mainstream.

Dina delivers in Doha

If you don’t know the name Dina Asher-Smith by now then you must have been living under a rock. The 23-year-old King’s College graduate became the first British woman to win a major global sprint title as she stormed to victory in 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha in October.

She already had plenty of accolades to her name, having won three gold medals at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, but her performance in Doha will have by far the greater impact.

Her victory means she is also the first Briton to win a world or Olympic sprint title since Linford Christie at Stuttgart 1993. If she can repeat her feat in Tokyo, she may just be the athlete of a generation.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson finally gets her golden moment

Dina wasn’t the only one to make history in Doha.

After years of falling short, Katarina Johnson-Thompson ended her wait for her first global outdoor title by powering to heptathlon gold at the World Championships in Doha, beating 2017 champion Nafissatou Thiam with a British record 6,981 points.

Touted as a star of the discipline since winning the World Youth Championships a decade ago, Johnson-Thompson’s Doha moment may just be one of the most defining of them all.

There were setbacks and there was heartache, but KJT’s story proves anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it.

Lionesses make history at Wembley

If you’re looking for proof that the appetite for women’s sport has transformed, watching the Lionesses in 2019 is your answer.

Their decade may not have ended in silverware, but the Lionesses are a team who have changed the landscape for women in their sport like no other.

First, 11.7m viewers tuned in to their World Cup semi-final in the USA in France before over 77,000 fans packed out Wembley to see them take on Germany in November.

They didn’t manage to end their tournament semi-final jinx, but the Wembley crowd proved they succeeded in achieving their wider goal: inspiring the nation.

Sherrock becomes the talk of Ally Pally

As the success of women in sport continues to skyrocket, we saw breakthroughs right up until the twilight hour of the decade – the last being the fairytale of Fallon Sherrock.

Sherrock made history in December by beating Ted Evetts to become the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship, before then defeating world number 11 Mensur Suljovic and eventually losing to world number 22 Chris Dobey in the third round.

Women at the Ally Pally is nothing new, Sherrock being the fifth female to play there in the competition’s history - but one of them had to win for any real progress to be made.

Listen back to the roars of the crowd when Sherrock planted the winning bullseye in round two – women in darts are more than welcomed, and now they’re here to stay.

Graham Potter's men recorded a well-deserved and important victory against Bournemouth last Saturday and will look to continue their progress against Chelsea. Victory against the team that beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season could see Albion in or very close to the top 10.

Frank Lampard's men however will be hoping to cement their place in the top four.

It's always difficult to predict a Graham Potter line-up - especially around the festive period - and much will depend if the head coach opts for three at the back, as he did for the narrow defeat at Tottenham on Boxing Day.

Albion will however have their work cut out against a Chelsea team fresh from the victory at Arsenal.

Brighton have won just one of their 17 Premier League games against teams starting the fixtures in the top four. They have lost their last 11 in a row, since a 1-0 win against Manchester United in May 2018.

Defence
Adam Webster or Shane Duffy is a tricky one for Potter at the moment. If the head coach goes with three at the back then Webster will likely get the nod alongside Lewis Dunk and Dan Burn. But expect Duffy to be alongside Dunk if it's a traditional back four, with Martin Montoya and Dan Burn in the full back areas. Bernardo and Montoya or Ezequiel Schelotto will be in the wing back roles if Potter goes with the defensive trio.

Midfield
Big decision here for Potter too. Dale Stephens and Davy Propper have been the preferred central midfield pairing for much of the season but Yves Bissouma is now well and truly in the equation. The Mali international has had to be patient this season but recent impressive displays against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth could see him get the nod ahead of Stephens. Aaron Mooy has to be a certain starter and then it's a fight between Leandro Trossard, Pascal Gross and Steven Alzate for the remaining spots.

Attack
Here's a big question...Does Alireza Jahanbakhsh start? The Iranian international socred his first ever goal for Brighton against Bournemouth and played pretty well until he was replaced by Alzate on 84 minutes. It would seem harsh to drop him after that but Potter has to select the best team he feels can beat Chelsea. If Jahanbakhsh is dropped for this one, I expect him to leave in January. Neal Maupay impressed against Bournemouth and Albion's top scorer will hope to add to his seven goals Premier League goals against Chelsea. Aaron Connolly will also hope to force his way back in after missing out against Bournemouth, while veteran Glenn Murray will likely start on the bench.

Team news
Solly March (groin) trained on Monday but Chelsea is too soon. Long term absentee Jose Izquierdo (knee) remains out.

Chelsea's Christian Pulisic (hamstring) has recovered and is available for selection. Marcos Alonso (hamstring) and Reece James (ankle) are doubtful.

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form: WDDLLW
Chelsea Premier League form: WLLWLW

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Burn; Bissouma, Propper; Trossard, Mooy; Jahanbakhsh, Maupay

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Palmieri; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham

Mark Lawrenson, the BBC football pundit and broadcaster, has given his New Year's Day Premier League predictions, including one for his former club Brighton as they host Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.

Writing in his 'Premier League predictions' piece for BBC Sport, Lawro backed Frank Lampard's Chelsea to triumph 2-0 against Graham Potter's Brighton and Hove Albion.

Albion are 14th in the Premier League and triumphed 2-0 last time out against Bournemouth while fourth placed Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates.

Lawro said: "Brighton fans might think I've suddenly fallen out of love with them but I haven't. They're going to be absolutely fine this season but I feel Chelsea have a better side and are decent on the road.

"Chelsea were good in their last game as they came from behind to win against Arsenal. Frank Lampard deserves praise for changing his tactics mid-match.

"All of a sudden everybody started pouring forward and they looked a completely different team.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2