Baptists return to league summit

Battle Baptists went back to the summit on goal difference after overturning a 2-1 half time deficit to win 5-2 away to Mountfield United.

Dean Boyd gave Battle an early lead only for Mountfield to strike twice before the break, Jon Novis putting them ahead. Battle scored four unanswered goals after the restart, however, through Tom Saunders, Boyd, Josh Barraclough and a Mark Dowling free kick.

Peche Hill Select dropped to second even though they too made it four wins out of four with a narrow 4-3 victory over Sedlescombe Rangers. Goals from Callum Smith (2), Grant Payne and Ross Southwood won it for Peche Hill, while Ryan Edwards (2) and Philip Hatch netted for a Sedlescombe side which also had a goal disallowed.

Hollington United drew 1-1 at home to a third-placed Ore Athletic team which remains unbeaten thanks to Steve Thomson’s goal.

Elsewhere in the top flight, reigning champions St Leonards Social celebrated their first victory of the season at the fifth attempt with a 3-1 win at home to Hawkhurst United, whose goal was scored by Daniel Mitchell.

Rock-a-Nore also claimed their first win by defeating Robertsbridge United 3-1. Sixteen-year-old Jacob Boast scored the consolation for Robertsbridge.

The top two in Division One went head-to-head and Sidley United hit the front after beating Eastbourne Rangers 2-0. Second half goals from Aaron Scrace and a last minute James Bailey strike did the damage for Sidley, who have also been awarded the points for their opening day draw against a Ticehurst side which fielded an unregistered player.

Ticehurst nonetheless went third after a 90th minute winner from Robert Briley gave them a 3-2 local derby success against Wadhurst United. Casey Ham and Darren Nicol scored Ticehurst’s other goals.

The JC Tackleway recovered from 3-1 down to salvage a 3-3 draw at AFC Hastings, who missed a penalty to go 4-1 up. Toby Shaw’s free kick a minute from time rescued a point for Tackleway, whose other goals were scored by Adam Hull and Michel Burgess.

Division One, incidentally, has been reduced to nine clubs following the withdrawal of Hollington United II, whose record has been expunged.

Division Two leaders Northiam 75 went marching on with a comprehensive 6-0 victory away to Bexhill AAC. Stephen Housago (2), Tim Godden, Sam Dangerfield and Oscar Garcia Cruz were among the scorers.

Little Common III are second after their 4-1 home win against Catsfield. Ben Gardner, Patrick Brown, Callum Gould and Paul Cudd scored for Common.

Four goals from Richard ‘Alfie’ Weller ensured Peasmarsh United claimed a 4-2 victory at home to Peche Hill Select II.

Third-placed Herstmonceux continued their good start to the season with a 5-3 victory at Icklesham Casuals, whose scorers included Sean Baker and Steffan Davies.

Hastings Rangers came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw at Eastbourne Athletic. Two late goals from Nickolas Walker gave Rangers a share of the spoils after Joe Harmer had netted their opener.

Bexhill United II made it three wins in a row to go top of Division Three. A Ben Barton hat-trick and one from Ben Packer saw off Mayfield 4-0 at The Polegrove.

Westfield III are second on the back of a 5-1 victory at home to Burwash. Westfield were 3-0 up after 15 minutes and although Burwash responded with a free kick from Mark Pickles, Westfield added two more to run out comfortable winners. Toby Pearce netted a hat-trick and Billy-Jo Driver got the other two.

A brace from man of the match Syd Moffat Bailey, and a goal each from Ashley Russell and Graham Stovell, enabled third-placed Sedlescombe Rangers II to edge out West Hill United 4-3 despite having a player sent-off.

Orington went fourth after inflicting a first defeat of the season on St Leonards Social II. Chris Clements and Scott Quested were among the scorers in a 3-0 victory.

Pebsham Sibex picked up their first points via a 4-1 victory away to bottom side Herstmonceux II.

Free-scoring Bexhill AAC II went top of Division Four on goal difference after keeping up their good form with a 6-0 win at Hailsham Athletico. Townhouse man of the match Darren Witham helped himself to a hat-trick, while one each from Harry Saville and Dan Milton, plus an own goal completed the scoring for an AAC side which has netted 25 goals in five matches.

Punnetts Town are hot on AAC’s heels with a game in hand following a 3-1 win against Victoria Baptists. Peter Evans scored with his first touch and Anthony Harvey netted the other two for Punnetts.

Two goals from Adam Thompsett were not enough as Battle Baptists II lost 3-2 at home to third-placed Grasshoppers Old Boys.

The JC Tackleway II achieved their first league win of the campaign with a 7-0 victory at home to Wittersham II. Elliot Milham (2), Wayne Morris, Graham Newton, Craig Jones, Joseph Powell and Dan Banfield found the target.

Fourth-placed Hawkhurst United II edged out Conquest United 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller. Goals from Jason Baldock (3), Jamie Young and Gregory Daniel were just enough for the Hawks, with Chris Cruickshank (2), Perry Leddy and Godswill Chukwuemeka replying for Conquest.

Three teams are neck-and-neck at the top of Division Five with 11 points from five matches. Sandhurst are top on goal difference after goals from Andrew Turner (2), Lee Sharman and Ben Cooper gave them a 4-2 home win against Parkfield.

Magham Down slipped to second after missing a number of chances in their 1-1 draw away to Hampden Park United.

The lead trio is completed by Sedlescombe Rangers III, who triumphed 5-1 away to St Leonards. Adam Frangella Cramp scored on his debut for Sedlescombe, whose other scorers were Billy Wood, Ben Sales and John Byatt.

Robertsbridge United II chalked up their first victory and in some style with an 8-1 success against Icklesham Casuals II. Colin Eade and Ben Thorpe helped themselves to hat-tricks with the other goals coming from Paul Rockett and Tommy Moyce.

Several league clubs were in Sussex Bluefin Junior Cup first round action. Hooe Sports travelled to Worthing to face Broadwater Athletic and returned home with a 4-2 victory thanks to the finishing of Gary Bryant (2), Tom Coleiro and Jack Prodger.

FC Westridge lost 3-1 at AFC Varndeanians III, but Old Hastonians progressed without even kicking a ball as opponents, Worthing Dynamos, were unable to raise a side.

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