Leaders strike late to deny unbeaten rivals

Top-of-the-table and reigning champions Hollington United saw their six-match winning start to the league season come to an end with a 1-1 draw at home to Rye Town.

In fact, Hollington required a dramatic last gasp equaliser from Shaun Loft to remain undefeated after Richard Weller had given last term’s Division One winners Rye a 79th minute lead. Rye are five points behind Hollington with a game in hand.

Second-placed Battle Baptists went level on points with Hollington, albeit having played an extra match, courtesy of a 4-2 win away to Crowhurst.

Karl Tomlin and Tom Andrew gave the Crows a 2-1 first half lead, but strikes by Thomas Cann, Glen Carrick, Dean Boyd and Trystan Mayhew secured Battle’s fifth come-from-behind victory of the season.

Bexhill Town climbed into the top half via a good 4-2 win away to Hawkhurst United. Kingsley Parsons, Zack McEniry, Billy Trickett and Michael Hughes were on the scoresheet for Bexhill, while Ben Marshall and Daniel McGahan retaliated.

Robertsbridge United rose to sixth with a 1-0 win at home to Sidley United. Chris Phillips scored the all-important goal.

Sedlescombe Rangers went seventh thanks to a 4-1 success at home to Ore Athletic, whose consolation was netted by Luke Towner. The goals of Ryan Edwards (2), Matthew Shaw and Dominic Bristow won it for Sedlescombe.

It’s all change at the summit of Division One after the top two heading into the weekend both failed to win.

Bexhill AAC went from third to first following a 10-2 victory away to Rock-a-Nore. Goals from Andy Atkin (2), Dom Sinden (2), Craig Ray (2), Matt Brolly, Aaron Tudor, Darren Witham and Ashley Wiggins did the damage for AAC. Dean Phillips scored both Rock-a-Nore goals.

Hastings Rangers dropped to second - behind AAC on goal difference - after losing 2-1 at home to fourth-placed The JC Tackleway. Strikes by Toby Payne and Joseph Adams gave Tackleway the points against a Rangers side whose goal was scored by Steven Payne.

Northiam 75 - the second tier’s only unbeaten side - are a point behind the top two with a game in hand following a remarkable 6-6 draw at home to Little Common II.

Jared Lusted scored four times for Common, who came from 5-1 down to lead 6-5 before conceding a late equaliser. Common’s other goals were netted by Conor Chilton and Reece Powell, while Stephen Housago (2), Scott Embery (2), James Fielding and Nathan Clemans struck for Northiam.

Westfield II won 5-1 away to Herstmonceux to move into the top half. Billy-Jo Driver (2), George Driver, Michael Cook and an own goal gave Westfield the points against a Herstmonceux side which replied through Toby Guest.

There was little change at the top of Division Two as the leading four teams all won.

Icklesham Casuals triumphed 5-1 at home to Hollington United II to stay two points clear at the summit. Charlie Cornford struck a hat-trick and David Pugh scored twice for Icklesham, while Daniel Andrews claimed Hollington’s goal.

Second-placed Sovereign Saints, who have a game in hand, kept pace with a 5-0 victory at home to Battle Baptists II. George Sambrook (2), Jack Griffin, Thomas Wilding and Callam Jones got the goals.

Third-placed Bexhill United II prevailed 1-0 at home to Peche Hill Select to stay five points behind Saints having played a match less. Ben Packer grabbed the only goal.

Fourth-placed St Leonards Social II trail Bexhill on goal difference following their 3-1 success at home to Mayfield. Ashley McCann (2) and Mark Larkin were on target for Social, while Chaz Creasey replied.

Wittersham picked up their first win - and moved off the bottom of the table in the process - without even kicking a ball as scheduled hosts Bexhill Rovers were unable to field a team.

Division Three leaders Sedlescombe Rangers II were held to a 2-2 draw away to The JC Tackleway II. Terry Robinson bagged a brace for seventh-placed Tackleway, while Gary Underhill and Jamie Smith netted for Sedlescombe.

Second-placed Punnetts Town closed to within two points of Sedlescombe having played three fewer matches following a 7-1 success at home to fourth-placed Sandhurst. William Mantle nabbed Sandhurst’s consolation.

Catsfield strengthened their hold on third place with a 3-1 win at home to fifth-placed Victoria Baptists. Ben Newman, Harry Atkins and Jacob Jones scored for Catsfield, and Patrick Ighavvongbe for the Baptists.

Pebsham Sibex achieved the biggest winning margin of the day across the six divisions with a 9-0 triumph at home to