Peche Hill prevail in top-of-table clash

Select won 4-0 against Battle Baptists in a meeting of the last two unbeaten clubs in the Premier Division on Saturday.

Goals from Callum Smith (2), Ross Southwood and Connor Robertson put Peche Hill two points clear at the top of the table with 22 points from a possible 24.

Ore Athletic took advantage of the Baptists’ loss to go second - a point above Battle having played two more matches - after claiming a 2-1 victory at St Leonards Social. Terry Payne and Grant Cornelius scored for Ore, with Colton Alleyne-Davis replying for fourth-placed Social.

Hollington United moved out of the bottom two on the back of a 7-3 success away to Hawkhurst United. Goals from Dan Mitchell (2) and Jason Baldock were not enough for the Hawks.

After nine consecutive defeats, Mountfield United claimed their first league win of the season with a 4-1 victory at Rock-a-Nore.

Phil Green scored a hat-trick as Robertsbridge United continued their fine form with a 5-1 win at home to Sedlescombe Rangers, who drop to second-from-bottom. Ben Thorpe and Guy Ballard were also on the scoresheet for a Robertsbridge side which is now into the top six.

In Division One, David Pugh claimed four goals for second-placed Old Hastonians in their 6-1 victory against visitors Ticehurst. Todd Fitz-Hugh and Will Cullen completed the scoring for the Stones, while Robert Briley netted Ticehurst’s consolation.

Third-placed Eastbourne Rangers got back to winning ways with a 5-0 victory at home to The JC Tackleway. Mark Warren scored twice on his debut for the club, and Connor Sullivan, Ben Jesson and Lee Chapman also got in on the act.

Crowhurst picked up their first league win of the campaign - in just their third league fixture - with a 6-1 triumph at home to Wadhurst United. Shane Ryan (2), Steve Mcgowan (2), Karl Tomlin and Jon Rich-Spice found the net for the Crows, whose MEA Financial Services man of the match was Tom Andrew. Harry Bateman was on target for a Wadhurst team which replaces Crowhurst at the foot of the table.

With previous leaders Herstmonceux not in action, Northiam 75 went back to the top of Division Two after winning 4-1 away to Eastbourne Athletic in their first match for five weeks. In difficult conditions, an Oscar Garcia-Cruz hat-trick and a Scott Embery goal gave Northiam their eighth league win out of nine and put them two points clear at the summit. Paul Cottrell scored Athletic’s consolation.

Icklesham Casuals claimed all three points in a 4-0 victory at Hastings Rangers. Bradlee Mepham (2), Phil Badrock and Ian Oliver did the damage for an Icklesham outfit which struck twice in either half.

Little Common III received a walkover after opponents Peasmarsh United failed to raise a side.

None of the top four teams won on a day of unpredictable results in Division Three and the leading five clubs are separated by just three points.

Mayfield stay top despite losing 3-2 at sixth-placed Orington. Second-placed Bexhill United II were unable to capitalise on Mayfield’s slip after drawing 2-2 at home to fourth-placed St Leonards Social II. Goals from Emile Tambeh and Ashley McCann earned a share of the points for Social, who have lost fewer matches than anybody else in the fourth tier.

Third-placed Westfield III also missed the chance to go top after losing 4-2 at home to third-from-bottom Pebsham Sibex. A Billy-Jo Driver brace was not enough for Westfield.

Division Four top dogs Hailsham Athletico slumped to a 5-2 loss at fourth-placed Punnetts Town despite leading 2-1 at half time through goals from Jake Barker and Dan Fry. Punnetts scored four unanswered goals after the turnaround.

Second-placed Grasshoppers Old Boys closed to within two points of the leaders with two games in hand via a narrow 4-3 victory at home to second-from-bottom Victoria Baptists.

A second half hat-trick from Doni Dovla helped Bexhill AAC II beat Conquest United 4-0. A 20-yard screamer from Darren Witham three minutes from time sealed the victory for Bexhill, who are up to third and seven points behind Hailsham having played three fewer matches.

Division Five leaders Sandhurst remain unbeaten, but were held to their fourth draw of the campaign - 2-2 at home to Battle Baptists III. Sam Loughman and Jamie Crouch scored for the Baptists, with James Chambers and an own goal making up the Sandhurst tally.

Parkhurst went second - six points behind Sandhurst with two games in hand - by dint of their 4-3 victory away to fourth-placed Sedlescombe Rangers III.

Robertsbridge United II claimed a 4-1 win at St Leonards. Darren Poole (2), Sam Edmonds and Matthew Winchester scored for Robertsbridge, with the hosts replying through Ryan Kayne.

FC Westridge have withdrawn from the league, incidentally, reducing Division Five to nine teams.

Sidley United progressed to the last 16 of the Sussex Bluefin Junior Cup without kicking a ball as opponents AFC Hastings were unable to raise a side. Division One leaders Sidley will travel to fellow East Sussex League side Ticehurst in a fourth round tie which is scheduled to take place on Saturday January 9.

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