Marc Whiteman scored a hat-trick as Whitehawk extended their lead at the top of the County League.

The one-time Manchester United reserve earned praise from joint boss George Parris after his goals earned a 3-2 win at home to Arundel.

The Hawks have won five out of five this season.

Parris said: “When Marc came to us (in the summer) he was struggling with confidence.

“He trained with the reserves to put in extra work and he has now got his rewards.”

Whiteman’s third was a penalty which made it 3-0, which Josh Biggs pulling two goals back in the final 15 minutes.

Parris said: “People are saying we are just buying players in but we had a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old on the left side and they both did very well.”

Former Albion midfielder Geoff Pitcher was another hat-trick hero as St Francis Rangers came from behind to win 4-2 away to Hailsham Town. Sam Palmer also netted with Tyler Goatcher and Scott McDonald on target for the hosts.

Peacehaven won 2-1 away to Three Bridges, who have had a difficult start to the season. Craig Bunch’s opener on 14 minutes was cancelled out a minute later by Bridges’ George Hillier.

But Bridges had their goalkeeper sent off in the first half, which meant striker Carl Dunk went between the posts, and their resistance was broken five minutes from time when Tom Levitt netted.

Peacehaven boss Peter Edwards said: “When the first month’s fixtures came out were thought they were tough but we are happy with our points to games ratio.”