Saxons hit nine to go top

Their 9-2 victory away to bottom club Horsham III on Saturday, coupled with the 2-1 defeat suffered by previous pacesetters Brighton & Hove III to Mid-Sussex II, has put Saxons a point clear of second-placed Eastbourne II.

Saxons’ win wasn’t quite as one-sided as the score might suggest. The first half was fairly close and it was only after a strong start to the second period that the visitors began to run away with it.

Jamie Busbridge capped a decent display with a hat-trick, while Cornish bagged a brace and had an effort brilliantly cleared off the line during the first half after rounding the goalkeeper.

George Eldridge also scored two, one of which was a penalty flick and the other was a good finish after dribbling his way through.

Alex Coombs got on the scoresheet by cutting in from the right-hand side and firing across the goalkeeper. Will Orr scored the other goal with a nice little lift over the goalkeeper, but Saxons could have had more.

Man of the match was Dan Burnett. See Friday’s Hastings Observer for a full report and reaction.

Standings (played 15 matches unless stated): 1 SOUTH SAXONS 32pts, 2 Eastbourne II 31, 3 Brighton & Hove III 31, 4 Mid-Sussex II (14) 28, 5 Crowborough 26, 6 Crawley II (14) 21, 7 Worthing II (14) 20, 8 Lewes III 19, 9 Penguin 18, 10 Hailsham (14) 13, 11 Middleton & Bognor 12, 12 Horsham III 4.