Golds’ form pleases manager Bennett

A brace from George Landais and goals from Dan Simmonds, debutant Josh Clack and Scott Packer meant Golds secured their tenth success in 13 league matches this season.

Littlehampton remain two points clear at the top after East Preston lost 4-1 to Eastbourne Town on Tuesday but boss Mark Bennett does not look too much into league positions at this early stage of the season.

He said: “I would much rather be near the top of the table, than the bottom.

“But it is only 13 games into what is a really long season, although I’m pleased with our form at the moment.

“We have been struggling with injuries in the past few weeks, so to still continue to get positive results has been great. In the coming weeks, we will be looking at getting those players back to full fitness.

“Saturday was an important win against an improving Ringmer side. What was even more convincing about the victory was the fact that we had to put a defender, Josh Bates, in goal after Jon Hendrick was unavailable.When we lost Jon and were forced to put Josh in goal, I thought it may not be our day but the boys were great and we got the win.”

Littlehampton opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Simmonds finished from 15 yards. Landais then struck twice in six minutes to put Golds 3-0 ahead at half-time.

Ringmer got a goal back through Ollie Taylor with 30 minutes left, before Littlehampton scored twice in the last eight minutes.

Clack, who has joined from Pagham, struck to make it 4-1 on 82 minutes, before Packer then netted three minutes into injury-time to secure a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

Dave Herbert, who has signed from East Preston, and Will Conway, who has joined from Lancing, also made their Golds debuts.

Littlehampton host Guild-ford City in the first round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

LITTLEHAMPTON: Bates; Wiggans, McKay, Swain, Packer; M.Hendrick, Humphreys, Thompson, Kew; Simmonds, Landais. Subs: Herbert (Kew), Clack (M.Hendrick), Conway (Thompson), Garnham, Bingham.