Langey Sports' achievements have not gone unnoticed on the national stage.

The Dr Martens League new boys won the Non-League Directory's Club-of-the-Year Award for the Home Counties South region.

Langney were one of six regional winners nationwide and in good company. Rushden and Diamonds were the Midlands winners.

Delighted chairman Len Smith picked up the award at a ceremony in Hammersmith.

The citation read: "One of the fairy stories of regional football has come true in Sussex where constant ground developments and steady improvements on the field have brought Langney Sports through the three divisions of the Sussex League to membership of the Dr Martens League."

Their story shows that progress can be made without huge cash injections or big attendances - just spirit, determination, hard work and commonsense."

Smith added: "It is a fantastic honour. To be up there with the Rushdens of this world is a dream."

Langney face Erith tomorrow (1pm) and manager Garry Wilson will have to check on the fitness of Lee Isaac and Matt Allen.

l George Wakeling believes it is not going to take much chopping and changing to guide Hastings Town back into the premier division.

The new Pilot Field boss saw his side cause an FA Cup upset against Folkestone in his first match at the helm on Tuesday and is convinced he won't need to tinker too much.

He admitted: "I've inherited a fine squad. I'm lucky it's not going to be a case of me needing to make wholesale changes. I've got to help these guys win promotion by using as much of my knowledge as possible."

Hastings are at Baldock this evening in an eastern division fixture arranged to avoid clashing with the England World Cup qualifier.

Wakeling's first job will be to solve a short-term goalkeeping crisis. Tony Kessell is unavailable and reserve Shwan Jalal is injured.

He admitted: "It's a race against the clock, but I'll find someone."