Budd's goal puts Hawks back on top

The former Albion youngster struck eight minutes from time with a far post header from a Josh Jones cross to give the Hawks a 1-0 win at home to Peacehaven.

With Chichester having to settle for a 2-2 draw at Arundel, Hawks moved a point clear at the top with two games in hand on their nearest rivals.

Joint boss George Parris said: “It was a typical derby game on a heavy pitch.

“These are the games you want to win. It is good if you aren’t playing well that you can still churn out results.”

Goals from Matt Axell and Ashley Martin put Arundel 2-0 up inside 22 minutes at home to Chichester but Joe Briggs and Adie Brockway, with a penalty, replied to complete the scoring by half-time.

Chi boss Adie Girdler said: “Although we got a point, having come back from 2-0 down I thought we would go on to win. It is two points dropped.”

Rob Wimble scored a hat-trick as Selsey made it four league wins on the trot since Gary Block took over as manager with a 4-2 defeat of Pagham.

Both Block and Wimble were previously at Pagham who led 2-1 at one stage thanks to Lewis Gibbs and Michael Frangou. Scott Dormer was Selsey’s other scorer.

Block said: “For me it was personal but I think I won with dignity.

“I have no feelings for Pagham now. I love being at Selsey. That is four league wins on the spin which is good because in some of those games we haven’t played that well.”

Block was delighted with Wimble’s contribution but also picked out a tremendous display at the back from Scott Hinshelwood.

St Francis Rangers continued their good form with a 2-1 win at Hassocks thanks to goals from James Westlake and Jake Forward. Phil Gault pulled one back late on.

Manager Roy Staughton was pleased but is not getting carried away. He said: “We have Crowborough on Saturday which will be tough because they are at the bottom. It will be a different type of game and one of the hardest we have in the new few weeks. We don’t want to be over confident going into a game like that.”