Matt Russell is backing Bognor to be Sussex's top dogs in the Ryman League.

Russell hit his first double for the Rocks as they beat Leatherhead 5-0 to extend their good run to just one defeat in ten league and cup games. And he is convinced they can reel in the ten point gap which separates them from derby rivals Worthing by the end of the season.

Russell, who will be 22 next month, said: "It would be nice to catch Worthing. That's a realistic target because sides have been lower than us in the past and come through.

"If we continue like this we can certainly come in the top five. We struggled early on but we have got it together now and I am really enjoying it."

Russell would have had a hat-trick last Saturday but for a superb save by Stewart Vaughan to parry his far post header after a bit of wing wizardry from David Birmingham.

He admitted: "It was nice to score a couple but I could have had about four.

"David gives us so much down the left hand side. He can cross a ball so well and he loves to get forward. I hope he gets fixed up with a league club."

The experience of striker partner Adie Miles and the lessons learnt in pre-season with Albion have also helped last season's top County League marksman adapt to the higher level.

He said: "The skill level here is higher and the pace of the game is quicker. You don't get so much time on the ball.

"I was on the left of midfield at the start of the season, which was a new position for me, but I didn't do too badly."

Russell's record of 12 goals in 22 games has kept him in the side ahead of Neil Scammell and Nicky Wyatt and made him a favourite with the Nyewood Lane fans.

Boss Jack Pearce said: "Matty has taken a while to settle down but he is a good footballer and very aware of what is going on around him."

Rocks look like being without injured defenders Jay Pickering and Kevin Murphy for their big month of cup action.

Guy Rutherford will also miss the FA Trophy tie with Billericay, the Full Members Cup trip to Worthing and the Senior Cup tie at Hassocks as result of his recent sending-off. Pearce hopes to give Combined Services defender Joe Collins a run at Worthing on Tuesday
Crawley Down have signed former Oakwood and Three Bridges striker Jim Fenton.