FOOTBALL: County League round-up (January 23)

The previous game had been abandoned, with Clymping leading 1-0, at half-time when a linesman fell ill and was then postponed three times.

Clymping boss Dominic Di Paola said: "We feel like justice was done as we don't think we should have had to replay the game.

"We didn't play particularly well and it was the best United have played against us in our games this season, so it's strange how football works out.

"We got there in the end and will look forward to the semi-final, which we know will be a tough game."

Tony Castro gave Clymping the lead from the penalty spot on 14 minutes after United's Grant Philpott was sent off for a foul on Richard Ghent.

Joe Shelley headed the second from Billy Rayner's corner on 21 minutes before United got a goal back when Julian Curnow scored a penalty after a Seb Di Paola foul on 28 minutes.

Chris Hibberd levelled early in the second half before Seb Di Paola netted Clymping's winner, at the second attempt, from Rayner's free kick.

Defender Alex Bigg made his Clymping debut after joining from Wick.

CLYMPING: Oakley; Stokes, Young, S.Di Paola, Biggs; Ghent, Shelley, Rayner, Castro; Moss, Miller. Subs: Brown (Miller 70), Mitchell, D.Di Paola, Gaskin.

Littlehampton's excellent form continued as they recorded their third successive league win on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Oakwood in County League Division 2.

Joint boss John Suter was pleased with the three points, but said it was nice just to get back playing: "We lacked match practice, which was understandable, but it was good to get three points and even better to get the win. We looked solid at the back and I'm pleased."

Matt Russell spurned an early chance to put Golds in front from the penalty spot when he fired wide, and Jamie Buckett headed over from a John Lawson cross as Golds started brightly.

Despite this dominance, they struggled to break Oakwood down and the opening goal did not arrive until the 61st minute. Jerry Manning played in Lawson, whose shot was parried, and Nathan Peacock fired in.

Manning had a hand in the second, too, which arrived in the 74th minute. His through ball resulted in Joel Sayers being bundled over and from the resultant penalty, Sayers thumped home.

Ross McKay finished clinically for the third from Manning's pass six minutes from time before Oakwood grabbed a late consolation.

LITTLEHAMPTON: Stoner; Young, O'Hagan, McKay, Hazell; Sayers, Russell, Manning, Peacock; Lawson, Buckett. Subs: Charman (Peacock 63), Adedoja (Buckett 67), Wollers (Sayers 77).

Rustington edged clear of the Division 2 drop zone with an impressive 3-0 win over Wealden.

The result left Blues boss Kev Short optimistic for the second half of the season: "We played well and it was an important win.

"We defended well as they looked dangerous at times and we've just got to keep winning and see where it gets us. Although it's only one result, hopefully, this will be a springboard and we can push on towards our aim, which remains to get to 40 points."

Blues started well but it took them until the 55th minute to break the deadlock through an Andy Boxall penalty. Steve Kirkham added the second 11 minutes later after a superb build-up, which involved Boxall, Ryan Morten and Ryan Hudson, who provided the goalscoring pass.

Andy Smart netted the third six minutes from time.

RUSTINGTON: McCarthy; Butcher, Neal, Smith, Green; Boxall, Wimbleton, Hudson, Darwin; S.Kirkham, Smart. Subs: C.Kirkham (Darwin 50), Morten (Wimbleton 65), C.Matthews (Butcher 75), Tucker.

Wick went down to a 3-1 home defeat to improving Three Bridges in Division 1. Wick trailed 3-0 before Luke Huggett netted a injury-time consolation.

Wick manager Carl Stabler said: "They were the better side, they were physically stronger and there were signs of rustiness.

"On another day we might have got something from the game because we had our chances but didn't take them, whereas they took the ones they had. Realistically, I think the league title is out of reach but we've just to keep going and see what happens."

WICK: Bryant; Torode, Sharman, N.Murfin, Buckland; Turner, Barnard, Pearce, Clayton; Gaskin, S.Murfin. Subs: Sutcliffe (Buckland 65), Huggett (Gaskin 70), More (S.Murfin 80).

Arundel's home match with St Francis was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.

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