EP eye records as well at the title

EP’s superior goal difference over second-placed Hailsham means they will not be knocked off top spot but, mathematically, they still require one point to be crowned champions.

They could also set a new Division 2 points record with a win at Westfield on Saturday, while Di Paola is also looking to set records for the most goals scored, best goal difference and the most wins.

East Preston’s victory at Little Common on Saturday was their 27th from 30 league games and Di Paola said: “It would be nice to wrap the title up at the weekend. To have it done before the cup final would be brilliant.

“There’s not really much else we could have done this season. We slipped up in a couple of cups but it looks like we’re going to break pretty much every record going for County League Division 2.

“We were the first team in the country to be promoted, although we won’t be the first team in the country to be crowned champions as Guernsey have already won the Combined Counties League Division 1 title.”

On Saturday, Lewis Hamilton and Charlie Oatway went close early on for EP and Common had a couple of early openings before EP took the lead on 40 minutes when George Gaskin crossed for Hamilton to tap home.

Oatway doubled the lead a minute before half-time when he raced on to Joe Shelley’s through ball to fire home.

Gaskin got the third with his 39th goal of the season on 78 minutes when he latched on to keeper Matt Evans’ long kick forward to net.

And Barney Boutwood saved the best goal until last when he struck with a stunning 25-yard volley, which lobbed the keeper, on 88 minutes.

Di Paola said: “We played really well and followed on from the Horsham game with another really good performance.

“They’d just re-signed Jared Lusted from Eastbourne Borough and one or two from AFC Uckfield and weren’t a bad side at all.

“I don’t think they should be down where they are in the table as they’re probably a mid-table side.

“They had a couple of early chances but we defended really well and, apart from the Horsham game, have been pretty solid recently.

“The back five were excellent again and all our forwards scored as well, with Barney’s goal similar to Peter Crouch’s for Stoke against Manchester City at the weekend.”

EP will look to clinch the title on Saturday when they travel to Westfield. Kick-off is 3pm.