Leaders march on with another victory

The Baptists made it six Premier Division wins out of six with a 3-1 victory away to previously unbeaten Ore Athletic.

Ollie Jeffs, Ben Barnett and Adam Gooch scored for the Baptists, with fourth-placed Ore replying through Terry Payne.

St Leonards Social made it back-to-back top flight wins courtesy of a 3-2 victory away to Rock-a-Nore. Michael O’Callaghan, Jack Elliott and Sean Noble scored for Social, who are up to fifth.

Division One leaders Sidley United overcame difficult conditions at The JC Tackleway to take all three points. Simon Corke, Ashley Elphick and James Bailey scored for Sidley as they made it 18 points from a possible 18 with a 3-1 win. Charlie Cornford replied for the hosts.

Second-placed Eastbourne Rangers ended their recent run of poor results with a 7-1 victory at Sovereign Saints to remain six points behind Sidley. Rangers’ man of the match Dan Wilkes helped himself to a hat-trick, and Jamie Strong (2), Matt Wheeler and Ben Jesson also netted. The Saints’ consolation came through Stephen Prodger.

AFC Hastings produced an outstanding team performance to triumph 7-2 away to Ticehurst. Wes People (2), Jack Fletcher (2), Ricky Baldwin, Nigel Baldwin, and Joe Miller scored for the visitors.

There was just one match in Division Two and Bexhill AAC returned home from still winless Hastings Rangers with a 6-1 victory. Zak Dangerfield (2), Dom Sinden, Max Thompson, Luke Dangerfield and Ben Cornelius all scored for AAC, while Joshua Blanche netted for Rangers.

Westfield III replaced Bexhill United II at the top of Division Three after beating them 4-3. Goals from Toby Pierce (2), Billy Jo Driver and Joseph Crouch took Westfield above their victims on goal difference. Ben Barton (2) and Andrew Matthews hit the net for Bexhill.

Sedlescombe Rangers II are just a point off the pace in third following a 5-1 success at home to Herstmonceux II, whose consolation was scored by Patrick Onorie.

West Hill United dominated throughout on their visit to Hooe Sports and eventually ran out 4-1 winners. Jamie Silburn scored for Hooe, but goals from Ian Mabb, Ayrton Ellis, Danyal Aldous and Andrew Wallbank saw United leapfrog their opponents in the table.

Hailsham Athletico beat Division Four’s bottom side Wittersham II 6-1. Two goals each from Alan Pope, Jake Barker, and Tyler Barker put Athletic fourth, while George Slater scored for a Wittersham team still looking for its first victory of the season.

Parkfield edged out second-placed Magham Down 1-0 in a closely-contested Division Five match. Magham hit the post in the first half, but a Steven Brooks goal won it for Parkfield.

A number of teams had a break from league fixtures as the opening round of the Hastings & District FA knockout competitions took centre stage.

In the Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup, Peche Hill Select overcame Premier Division rivals Sedlescombe Rangers 4-1. The hosts scored through Callum Smith (2), Ross Southwood and Allan McMinigal, while Martin Moss netted Rangers’ consolation.

In the same competition, Mountfield United claimed their first win of the season with a thrilling 6-5 extra-time victory away to a Little Common under-21 team which plays its football in the Macron Store Southern Combination League.

Seven matches were played in the Hastings & District FA Junior Cup and in perhaps the pick of the bunch, Division One side Crowhurst outgunned Division Two team Peche Hill Select II 8-5.

Crowhurst’s MEA Financial Services man of match Shane Ryan scored a hat-trick and was supported by goals from Jordan Turner (2), Jamie Lindsay, Gary Croft and Sam Baker. Peche Hill replied via Steve Brook (3), Simon Randall and Gary Taylor.

Another hat-trick from Richard Weller ensured Peasmarsh United, of Division Two, progressed after their 5-2 win against Orington, from Division Three. Luke Willis and Caine Baldock Apps completed the scoring for the home side.

Division Three got the better of Division Four as St Leonards Social II overcame Battle Baptists II 3-2. Lee McNaughton, Mark Larkin and Darren Hutchinson scored for the visitors, with the Baptists replying through Jamie Crouch and Finlay Garlick.

Burwash sprung a surprise, however, after overturning a 2-1 deficit to win 4-2 away to Little Common III. Tom Caster and Connor Jackson put Division Two team Common ahead, but goals from Kieren Martin (2), Mark Pickles and Zac McKay ensured Division Three outfit Burwash prevailed.

There was another upset at Wadhurst United as Ickesham Casuals came from 2-0 down with 10 minutes remaining to win 3-2. Sean Baker, Steffan Davies and Ian Oliver masterminded the turnaround from Division Two side Icklesham against Division One opposition.

Catsfield, of Division Two, won 3-2 at Division Three club Pebsham Sibex, whose scorers were Jonathan Day and Lee Smart.

Division One high-flyers Old Hastonians edged out Division Three opposition in the form of Mayfield 2-1. Callum Matthews scored for Mayfield.

Six games took place in the Hastings & District FA Lower Divisions Cup and Conquest United travelled back from fellow Division Four side Bexhill AAC II with a 2-1 victory. Sean Kelly scored for the hosts.

In another all-Division Four affair, Jason Baldock, Gregory Daniel and Grant Hyner scored for Hawkhurst United II in their 3-1 home win against The JC Tackleway II. Joseph Powell replied.

Robertsbridge United II proved too good for FC Westridge in an all-Division Five encounter. Adam Hardy, Matthew Winchester, Colin Chatfield and Ben Thorpe were on target in a 4-0 win.

Unbeaten Division Five leaders Sandhurst were unable to transfer their strong league form to the cup, losing 4-1 at home to Division Four outfit Bexhill Rovers. James Jeffreys (2), Adam Beeching and Luke Alais scored for Rovers, with the hosts replying through Andrew Turner.

Icklesham Casuals II progressed after a 4-2 victory away to fellow Division Five team St Leonards. Casuals’ goals came from Lee Pierce, Michael Richards, Daniel Russell and Jon Fitton, the latter of whom scored from the halfway line.

In the final match, again involving two Division Five teams, Sedlescombe Rangers III beat Battle Baptists III 4-2. Stuart Cramp, Ben Sales, Billy Wood and Adam Frangella Cramp scored for the home side, with Adam Johnson and Jamie Sheppard responding.

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