Goals and cup drama are plentiful in ESFL

In the Premier Division, Battle Town followed up their victory over Sidley United with an impressive 5-1 win away to Sandhurst.

Jake Warner opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Glen Carrick doubled Battle's advantage midway through the first half. Dean Boyd struck twice after the interval to put the visitors firmly in control, before Sandhurst's James Found pulled a goal back. Boyd completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute to round off another excellent afternoon for Battle.

Rye Town maintained their good form with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over The Junior Club Tackleway. Goals from William Brown, Charlie Stevens and Ole Reader secured all three points for Rye.

Sidley United bounced back from their defeat against Battle with an emphatic 5-1 victory over SC Pass & Move Arrows. William James Ray led the way with a brace, while Harrison Smith, Lewis Hole and Darrell Shaw were also on target for the hosts.

Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club continued their impressive goalscoring form with a thrilling 4-3 away victory over Victoria Baptists. The hosts found the net through Thomas Williamson, who scored twice, and Theodore Ridley, but Bexhill did enough to edge an entertaining seven-goal contest and secure another valuable three points.

In Division Two, Parkfield continued their excellent run with a 4-1 home victory over SC Pass & Move Arrows II. The visitors' consolation came from Oscar Ellwood, but Parkfield proved too strong as they maintained their impressive recent form.

Division Three saw Little Common III secure a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Hollington Hawks. Rafael Dos Santos and Ben Messetter were on target for Common, while George Brooks replied for the hosts. The scheduled meeting between Herstmonceux II and Hawkhurst United was postponed.

Attention also turned to the Sussex Junior Challenge Cup, where Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club II produced one of the performances of the weekend to defeat BN Dons Saturday Reserves 4-3. Trailing 3-1 at half-time, Bexhill staged a tremendous second-half comeback to book their place in the next round. Frankie Deeprose was the hero with a hat-trick, while Ashley Elphick also found the net. Sam Rayner and Torin Seagrove, who scored twice, were on target for the visitors.

Herstmonceux also progressed following a closely contested 3-2 away victory over Eastbourne Athletic, while Pevensey & Westham were involved in a dramatic encounter against Chichester Athletic. The sides finished level at 3-3, but Pevensey were eventually beaten 10-9 on penalties.

There was disappointment for Mountfield United, who suffered a 9-2 defeat away to Ashington Rovers, while Ninfield II were beaten 5-0 at home by AFC Varndeanians Reserves.

In the Hastings FA Intermediate Cup, Wadhurst United and Ninfield played out an entertaining 3-3 draw before Wadhurst secured their passage to the next round with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory.

The Hastings FA Junior Cup also produced plenty of excitement, with Little Common II progressing after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Battle Town II. The sides finished level at 2-2, with Cyrus Abbott and Jay Abib scoring for Common, while Ryan Southall and James Williams replied for Battle. Common eventually held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties and secure their place in the next round.

Northiam 75 also progressed after edging past Ticehurst with a 3-2 victory, having led 1-0 at the interval. Joshua Jevon and Edward Harwood were among the goalscorers for Ticehurst.

St Leonards Social and Sedlescombe Rangers served up an eight-goal thriller, finishing 4-4 after normal time. Dan Laidlaw scored twice for Social, with Nicky Croft and David Gautrey also finding the net. Sedlescombe's goals came through Sean Lennard, Spencer Sharkey, Owen Smith and Liam Whicker. Sedlescombe eventually progressed following a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout victory.

Finally, in the Hastings FA Lower Divisions Cup, Icklesham Casuals continued their excellent recent form with a convincing 4-1 home victory over Robertsbridge United II. Kieron Buss, Declan Eades, George Stoodley and Greg Stoodley were all on target for Icklesham.

Northiam 75 II also secured their passage to the next round with an impressive 3-1 away victory over Sedlescombe Rangers II.