Battle Town win clash of the top two - East Sussex Football League round-up

Runners-up in the last four completed seasons, Battle look to have a real opportunity to finally go one better this term after winning 2-0 away to early leaders Rock-a-Nore.

Joe Brister was among the scorers for Battle, who are now just a point behind the Rocks with two games in hand and the only side in the Premier Division yet to taste defeat.

Crowhurst are up to third - level on points with Battle but having played twice more - after continuing their good form by winning 4-2 at home to Robertsbridge United.

Jan Bailey, Jack Harman, Karl Tomlin and Aaron Davies scored for the Crows, while Curtis Coombes and Chris Phillips netted for eighth-placed Robertsbridge.

Wadhurst United went fourth on the back of a 3-0 home success against Bexhill Town.

Probably the result of the day in the top flight was achieved by St Leonards Social, who triumphed 5-0 at home to a Hawkhurst United side which dropped from second to fifth.

Andy Pegman's hat-trick, which was sealed with a penalty, and one apiece from club captain Colton Alleyne-Davis and Robert Mitchell moved Social into the top six.

A brace of goals by new signing Sammy Foulkes earned Northiam 75 a 2-1 win away to Punnetts Town.

Northiam actually slipped a place to seventh despite the victory over a Punnetts outfit whose goal was scored by Dominic Cole.

The top two, at the start of play, went head-to-head in Division One and leaders Bexhill AAC emerged 2-1 winners at home to Sedlescombe Rangers II.

Ben Barton and Andrew Matthews struck to put AAC - the last remaining unbeaten side in the second tier - a point clear at the summit. Sean Howard's goal couldn't prevent Sedlescombe falling to fourth.

The JC Tackleway climbed to second on the back of a 3-0 victory away to Battle Town II.

Toby Payne's brace and one from Josh Eaton did the damage for Tackleway, who have conceded just one goal in four league outings so far.

South Coast Athletico are up to third - behind Tackleway on goal difference - following a 5-2 success at home to Victoria Baptists.

Two Nick Gamble goals, and one each from Bradley Owens, Jarad Beaumont and David Burch secured a third consecutive win for Athletico. Joe Bellett was among the scorers for Baptists, who remain a point adrift at the bottom.

An Alex Sarkies hat-trick and one from Craig Pierce fired Rye Town to a 4-0 triumph away to Sidley United II - and with it a place in the top five.

Little Common II maintained their dominant form in Division Two by winning 4-1 at home to St Leonards Social II.

Strikes by Attilio Field, Jordan Harris, Connor Jackson and Nickolas Kavanagh earned Common their fifth victory out of five, during which time they've banged in 29 goals.

Common's cushion at the top of the table increased to six points because Bexhill Rovers, who started the day second, lost 2-1 away to Catsfield.

A Luke Alais goal couldn't prevent Rovers slipping to third, and they are now just two points and one place above Catsfield having played twice more.

Westfield II jumped above Rovers on goal difference by dint of a 12-1 success at home to Peche Hill Select II - the biggest win of the weekend.

Jay Edwards led the way with a five-goal salvo, Lee Paine netted a hat-trick, Dayne Beaumont got two, and Alan Johnson and Ryan Harffey chipped in with one each. Kieren Martin nabbed a consolation for Peche Hill.

Sixth-placed SC Pass + Move Arrows claimed their second win out of three via a 4-1 scoreline away to Herstmonceux.

Tom Cusden, Frazer Discala, Jonjo Wright and Bradley Pearse were on the scoresheet for the Arrows, who closed to within a point of their victims having played two fewer matches.

Northiam 75 II celebrated their first victory of the season by winning 5-0 at home to Mountfield United.

Two Solly Cooke goals, and one each by Kelvin Lowes, Luke Gasson and Dan Laidlaw lifted Northiam above their victims and off the foot of the table.

The clash between Division Three's top two at the start of play ended all-square as Sandhurst and Old Town Lions played out a 1-1 draw.

James Found - the division's leading scorer - was again on the mark for Sandhurst, while Sam Slayford found the net for the 10-man Lions.

Sandhurst remain top, despite dropping their first points of the campaign, and the Lions are three points behind them in third.

AFC Hollington rose to second - and within a point of Sandhurst - without kicking a ball after receiving a walkover away to Hampden Park.

Hastings United Youth moved above Hawkhurst United II into the top five after beating them 2-1 away from home.

Strikes by Dan Kearley and Rhys Morfee ensured the Hastings youngsters came out on top despite having a player sent-off. Louis Hazell replied for the Hawks.

The JC Tackleway II got off the mark for the new term thanks to a 4-2 victory away to Robertsbridge United II.

The goals of Wayne Morris, Kelsey Boseley, Dan Noakes and Alfie Jeffery ensured it was third time lucky for Tackleway.

Sedlescombe Rangers development shot up from seventh to third in Division Four following a 3-2 win away to Parkfield.

Ben Sebbage, Finnbar Worsell and Brandon Lawrence struck to give Sedlescombe the edge over a Parkfield side for whom Tiago Constancio and Oliver Truman were on target.

Having drawn two of their previous three league contests, Orington recorded their first victory of the season with a 3-2 success away to Magham Down.

Ashley Jamieson and Aaron Lillycrop were among the scorers as Orington advanced to sixth, while the goals of Matthew Sedgwick and Shay Stolton couldn't prevent Magham Down suffering their first league defeat in just their second game.

Continuing the theme of close encounters, Battle Town III claimed their first point with a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Hooe.

Toby Shaw's goal put Battle ahead before Noah White levelled for Hooe, who would've gone second had they won but instead find themselves fourth.

The top two in Division Five both scored four goals in winning their respective fixtures.

AFC Hollington II continue to lead the way on goal difference after Tom Whelan's brace and one apiece from Daniel Allen and Jules Phillips gave them a 4-0 win away to West Hill United II.

Wadhurst United II also have 10 points from four games following a narrow 4-3 victory at home to Ticehurst.

Guy Ballard and Ollie Skilton were among the scorers for sixth-placed Ticehurst.

Hastings Comets remain just a point behind the leading duo in light of a 3-2 success at home to Herstmonceux II.

The goals of Nick Pelling, Martin Cattermole and Ryan Penny were just enough to earn the Comets their third win out of four, despite a strong effort from a Herstmonceux side which now props up the standings.

Hampden Park u23 soared from bottom to fourth on the strength of a 5-1 triumph away to Welcroft Park Rangers II.

Sam Laycock plundered a hat-trick, while Jay Kendall and Vince Rembridge scored once each for the league new boys.

All three of the league's teams in Sussex Junior Challenge Cup first round action were victorious.

Division One outfit Peche Hill Select prevailed 2-0 at home to AFC Ringmer II via the finishing of Jacob Shelton and Joe Worsley.

And there were fine victories for Division Four sides Sovereign Saints II and Welcroft Park Rangers.

Saints won 4-2 at home to Worthing Town II courtesy of goals from Jordon Funnell, David Wisdom, Travis Anderson and Joshua Lade.

Jamie Bundy, Cameron Offord and Glen Wooden were the scorers as Welcroft Park triumphed 3-2 at home to Barnham Trojans.

League standings

Premier Division (played-points): Rock-a-Nore 5-10, Battle Town 3-9, Crowhurst 5-9, Wadhurst United 5-8, Hawkhurst United 4-7, St Leonards Social 4-6, Northiam 75 4-6, Robertsbridge United 4-3, Punnetts Town 3-3, Bexhill Town 5-0.

Division 1 (played 4 matches unless stated): Bexhill AAC 10pts, The JC Tackleway 9, South Coast Athletico 9, Sedlescombe Rangers II (5) 7, Rye Town 6, Battle Town II 4, Peche Hill Select (3) 3, Sidley United II (5) 2, Victoria Baptists (3) 1.

Division 2 (played-points): Little Common II 5-15, Westfield II 5-9, Bexhill Rovers 5-9, Catsfield 3-7, Herstmonceux 5-7, SC Pass + Move Arrows 3-6, St Leonards Social II 3-3, Peche Hill Select II 4-3, Northiam 75 II 5-3, Mountfield United 4-0.

Division 3 (played 4 matches unless stated): Sandhurst 10pts, AFC Hollington 9, Old Town Lions 7, Bexhill AAC II (3) 6, Hastings United Youth 6, Hawkhurst United II 3, The JC Tackleway II (3) 3, Hampden Park (3) 3, Robertsbridge United II (3) 0.

Division 4 (played-points): Icklesham Casuals 3-9, Welcroft Park Rangers 3-6, Sedlescombe Rangers development 4-6, Hooe 4-5, Sovereign Saints II 3-5, Orington 4-5, Parkfield 4-4, Magham Down 2-3, Battle Town III 3-1, West Hill United 2-0.

Division 5 (played 4 matches unless stated): AFC Hollington II 10pts, Wadhurst United II 10, Hastings Comets 9, Hampden Park u23 6, Welcroft Park Rangers II (5) 6, Ticehurst 3, West Hill United II (5) 3, Herstmonceux II 3.

Saturday October 10 fixtures (kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Premier Division: Robertsbridge United v St Leonards Social (1.30pm); Northiam 75 v Rock-a-Nore; Punnetts Town v Crowhurst.

Division 1: Rye Town v South Coast Athletico; Sidley United II v Bexhill AAC; The JC Tackleway v Peche Hill Select; Victoria Baptists v Sedlescombe Rangers II.

Division 2: Herstmonceux v Little Common II (1.30pm); Bexhill Rovers v Mountfield United; SC Pass + Move Arrows v Westfield II.

Division 3: Bexhill AAC II v Hawkhurst United II; Hastings United Youth v AFC Hollington; Robertsbridge United II v Hampden Park (3.30pm).

Division 4: Magham Down v Welcroft Park Rangers; Parkfield v Icklesham Casuals; Sedlescombe Rangers development v Hooe; Sovereign Saints II v Battle Town III.

Division 5: Wadhurst United II v Hastings Comets; Herstmonceux II v West Hill United II (3.30pm).

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup, 1st round (2.30pm): Battle Town v Upper Beeding; Bexhill Town v Horsham Crusaders; Polegate Town v Wadhurst United.

Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup, 1st round (2.30pm): Hawkhurst United v Battle Town II.

Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup, 1st round (2.30pm unless stated): Old Town Lions v Welcroft Park Rangers II (1.30pm); AFC Hollington II v Sandhurst; Catsfield v Ticehurst; Peche Hill Select II v Northiam 75 II; West Hill United v St Leonards Social II; Orington v The JC Tackleway II.