Fontwell racecourse staff are preparing to return after their summer with three big fixtures over the next couple of months.

First up is Ladies’ Evening, which takes place next Thursday, August 23.

The gates will open at 3pm with the first of seven races at 5pm and the last at 8:30pm. Tickets are from £19.

The best-dressed lady will receive a £1,000 prize and following the annual social media competition, named Finding Miss Fontwell, the winner will be crowned Miss Fontwell.

Also on the horiaon is the family fun day on Sunday, September 9. The gates will open at midday for a 2pm racing start.

There will be seven races ,with the final one at 5.30pm.

Tickets are from £15 with entertainment taking place all afternoon and including magic shows, children’s discos and other activities.

Across the racecourse grounds, you’ll find a miniature farm, pony rides, face painting and Horton’s fun fair. All entertainment will be free of charge.

After that comes the track’s popular annual Oktoberfest, which will take place between October 5 and 6.

On each day the gates will open at midday with the first race at 2pm. There will be six races each day, with the final race at 5pm.

Tickets start from £15 on Friday and £19 on Saturday.

The Bavarian-themed festival will feature a marquee with brass bands, food and drink, including traditional German dishes and beer.

After racing on Saturday, the racecourse will have live music from Chasing Mumford inside the Oktoberfest Marquee. There is no charge to go inside the marquee – all that is required is raceday admission.

For more on all up-coming Fontwell meetings go to www.fontwellpark.co.uk or call 01243 543335.

MICHAEL HELLYER

Bosses reflect on Glorious Goodwood

Get all the local racing news here

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from August 9 to 16, 2018.

Lisa Miller, 40, of Selden Road, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting fraud by making false representations when hiring a rental car from Eurostar, namely that she would be the driver, the vehicle would remain under her control and a guarantee it would be returned at the end of the agreed hire period, intending to make a gain for an unknown person.

Lewis Waltham, 20, c/o Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, was given a community order and must carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work after admitting causing £173.44 damage to a van in Southwick on April 18, 2018; causing £318.65 damage to a car in Southwick on April 18, 2018; and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in Southwick on April 18, 2018. He must pay a total of £420.37 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £310 costs.

Sam Waltham, 23, of Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, was given a community order and must carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault by beating in Southwick on April 18, 2018; causing £173.44 damage to a van in Southwick on April 18, 2018; and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in Southwick on April 18, 2018. He must pay £86.72 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £310 costs.

Jojo David, 32, of Queen’s Road, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for three months and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting driving without insurance in Christchurch Road, Worthing, on March 2, 2018; and possessing cannabis in Worthing on March 2, 2018. His driving record was endorsed with six points. He also admitted driving without the correct licence, no separate penalty.

Mohammad Hussain, 28, of High Street, Lingfield, was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 40 hours’ unpaid work, after admitting stealing £3,000 from Bathstore, Worthing, between September 4, 2017, and October 29, 2017. He was given an eight-week concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting fraud by dishonestly making a false representation, claiming the victim owed a further £399.67 for bathroom fittings, in Worthing on September 4, 2017. He must pay £1,500 compensation, £115 victim surcharge.

Bradie Thomson, 29, of Somerhill Avenue, Hove, was jailed for 12 weeks and must pay £100 compensation, £115 victim surcharge, after admitting assault by beating in Wick on May 31, 2018. He was jailed for two weeks, to run consecutively, after admitting stealing food items worth £107.75 from Morrisons, Wick, on May 31, 2018. He was also jailed for two weeks, to run consecutively, after admitting stealing food items worth £103.69 from The Co-op filling station, Durrington, on April 17, 2018.

Shaun Thomson, 32, of Lyndhurst Road, East Worthing, was jailed for 16 weeks and must pay £115 victim surcharge, after admitting stealing aftershave worth £116 from Boots, Worthing, on May 21, 2018. He received six concurrent prison sentences, each for 16 weeks, after admitting stealing aftershave worth £110 from Boots, Worthing, on June 21, 2018; stealing food from Asda, Lancing, on June 23 and on June 26, 2018; stealing food and alcohol from Asda, Lancing, on June 25, 2018; stealing food from The Co-op, Worthing, on June 27, 2018; and stealing alcohol worth £108 from Marks and Spencer, Worthing, on July 2, 2018. He was also fined £50 after admitting breaching a suspended sentence order.

Clive Uwins, 52, of Rackham Close, Tarring, was given a community order and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving (97mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Titnore Lane, Worthing, on July 27, 2018; and failing to stop after an accident in which damage was caused to another vehicle in Titnore Lane, Worthing, on July 27, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Mark Barlow, 50, of Byron Road, Worthing, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must pay £85 victim surcharge after admitting two charges of stealing an electric shaver worth £270 from Boots, Worthing, on February 20, 2018; stealing an electric shaver worth £170 from Boots, Worthing, on February 21, 2018; and stealing two bottles of aftershave worth £80 from Boots, Worthing, on February 24, 2018.

Karl Daly, 29, of The Strand, Goring, was given a community order and must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault by beating in Worthing on June 27, 2018; and damaging two doors in Worthing on June 27, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £78 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

John Mitchell, 56, of Northcourt Road, Worthing, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault by beating in Worthing on June 30, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Callum Wallace, 21, of Pearson Road, Arundel, was fined £150 and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for appointments on June 6, 2018, and July 19, 2018.

Read more: HM Courts Service: Results list for December 14 to 28, 2017

James Godfray, 21, of Downsway, Shoreham, was given a community order and must carry out 60 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drug-driving (218mg/l benzoylecgonine) in The Crescent, Southwick, on February 18, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Natalie Jones, 28, of Garden Crescent, Barnham, must pay £50 compensation after admitting assault by beating in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018; must pay £100 compensation after admitting a second charge of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018; and must pay £50 compensation after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018.

William Stuart, 52, of Chartfield, Hove, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with eight-week curfew, electronically monitored, from 8pm to 7am daily, and must carry out 160 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving (141mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Oliver Acre, Wick, on July 10, 2018. He must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 34 months.

Worthing News, in Rowlands Road, Worthing, was fined £250 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £1,182 costs, after admitting failing to act with due care, as a distributor, to help ensure compliance with safety requirements by possessing for supply five packets of NZ Black Super Slims that were dangerous on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting possessing two packets of fake Mayfair cigarettes, without the consent of the proprietor on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting producing or supplying eight packets of Treasurer London Executive Gold tobacco that did not comply with packaging requirements on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting producing or supplying two packets of NZ Black Super Slims that did not comply with requirements on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting producing or supplying two pouches of 50g Amber Leaf tobacco that did not comply with packaging requirements on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting supplying five packets of NZ Black Super Slims that did not carry a health warning on July 31, 2017. The company was fined £250 after admitting selling a nicotine inhaling product to a person aged under 18 on August 29, 2017.

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The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from August 9 to 16, 2018.

Kevin Kelleher, 39, of Connaught House, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for three months and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting stealing nine bottles of Head And Shoulders and six bottles of Nivea Men worth £25 from Poundland, Bognor Regis, on April 26, 2018.

Jacob Smith, 19, of Cheshire Crescent, Tangmere, was fined £50 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to stop after an accident in which damage was caused to another vehicle in Barnfield Drive, Chichester, on May 14, 2018. He was fined £50 after admitting driving without insurance and fined £100 after admitting wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty in Chichester on May 14, 2018. He also admitted failing to report the accident to police, no separate penalty. He was disqualified from driving for six months.

Behrad Mohammadi, of London Road, Bognor Regis, was fined a total of £1,600 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £1,000 costs, after admitting four charges of failing to comply with an abatement notice served by Arun District Council following nuisance caused by cooking odours from the extraction unit in Bognor Regis, on January 17, 19 and 26, 2018, and on April 19, 2018; and four charges of failing to comply with an abatement notice served by Arun District Council following nuisance caused by excessive noise from the extraction unit in Bognor Regis, on January 17, 19 and 26, 2018, and on April 19, 2018.

Michal Bankiewicz, 25, of Winget Terrace, Spencer Street, Bognor Regis, was jailed for six weeks after being found guilty of drink-driving (120mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Dorset Road, Bognor Regis, on December 25, 2017. He must pay £115 victim surcharge, £620 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 33 months. He also admitted driving without the correct licence and driving without insurance, no separate penalties.

Matthew Wynn, 46, of Orpen Place, Selsey, was given a community order and must carry out 60 hours’ unpaid work after admitting causing harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, with intent and religiously aggravated. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs. He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order, so the order was extended for six months.

Callum Wallace, 21, of Pearson Road, Arundel, was fined £150 and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for appointments on June 6, 2018, and July 19, 2018.

Read more: HM Courts Service: Results list for December 14 to 28, 2017

Natalie Jones, 28, of Garden Crescent, Barnham, must pay £50 compensation after admitting assault by beating in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018; must pay £100 compensation after admitting a second charge of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018; and must pay £50 compensation after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in Bognor Regis on June 3, 2018.

Kamil Taylor, 21, of Sturges Road, Bognor Regis, was fined £100 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting being drunk and disorderly in a public place, in York Road, Bognor Regis, on July 15, 2018.

Jon Lee, 40, of Kathleen Gardens, Chichester, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting causing £250 damage to a light fitting, door and glass window in Chichester on July 21, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £200 compensation.

Bailey Chapman, 18, of Longley Road, Chichester, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work after admitting four charges of assault by beating in Bracklesham Bay on July 14, 2018; stealing a bottle of wine from Central Convenience Stores, Bracklesham Bay, on July 14, 2018; and causing harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour with intent. He must pay a total of £280 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Daniel Knight, 38, of North Way, Bognor Regis, was fined £300 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting being drunk on a highway, in Rowan Way, Bognor Regis, on April 25, 2018.

Jade Hall, 29, of Sudley Road, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £100 costs, after admitting two charges of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on June 6, 2018.

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New-look Horsham will stick continue to their philosophy in order to give themselves a new ‘identity’ which they are developing.

The Hornets suffered an opening-day Bostik League South East defeat to Sittingbourne on Saturday, but boss Dominic Di Paola was satisfied with the performance in the 2-1 reverse.

The Hornets started eight of their 12 summer additions on Saturday and under the guise of new coach Jon Meeney, Di Paola is aware things will take time to gel.

He said: “If you take out the loan signings, it is pretty much a whole new side. It will take a bit of time to get going, but there are lots of positives in terms of the group.

“We are trying to give ourselves a bit of an identity and that is going to be a process of change.

“How we want to play is going to take a bit of time.

“We have to keep believing in the way we want to play, the boys need that bit more belief. They are not going to get grief from us if they make mistakes doing what we are asking them to do. We will stick with the process and keep going.”

Horsham travel to Sevenoaks on Saturday, who beat Lordswood 6-1 in the FA Cup on Saturday where Frankie Sawyer hit a hat-trick.

Di Paola said: “They have Kenny Pogue, who always scores 20-odd goals and been at this level for a long time. Frankie Sawyer, Zac Attwood and Sam Crabb, all are experienced players.

“They have had a good pre-season and seem ready to go. It will be a good game, I am looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to it all at the moment and working with the group.”

Charlie Harris is expected to be ok for Saturday's clash despite taking a whack to the knee against Sittingbourne, although central defender Lewis Hyde is still out.

That absence is causing a concern for Di Paola, who said: "He is one we have to get back in, he has been working on it with the physio, but it's a bit of a reoccurring one.

"He is a key player and a natural defender, a bit more so than some of the other boys. He is excellent in the air and we miss that heading ability. I am hoping, depending how he goes in training this week, to put him in on Tuesday against Haywards Heath."

The West Wittering CC President’s and Chairman’s XI descended on the club, accompanied by much of the village, for a great day’s cricket.

Carl Tupper won the toss for the Captain’s XI and elected to bat, opening with Johnny Miller.

Accurate opening spells from Spike Western and Rob Gray kept the scoreboard in check. A cluster of wickets had the Captain’s XI 59-3 but when Andy Priest strode in, he and Miller produced a measured batting display, resulting in a partnership of 144 and centuries for both batsmen.

Some late tail-wagging from Charlie Caddy and others took the Captain’s XI to 252 – a fairly daunting target for the P&C’s XI to mull over throughout a superb lunch.

The Captain’s XI wandered out into the heat with some feeling the effects of the refreshments. James Munro and Tim Osborne struggled to find their lengths, resulting in a flying start for the P&C openers.

Wickets began to fall, but Tom Brookes (93) played a great knock and anchored the innings. Starts from several batsmen ensured it remained a contest but the Captain’s XI won by 18 runs.

It was a hard-fought contest played in fantastic spirit by both teams – just what the President’s and Chairman’s match stands for. Cricket was the biggest winner.

Findon 2nd v Aldwick 1

Division 6 West

Aldwick bounced back to winning ways with a victory by 13 runs despite only making a below-par total of 165-8 from their 40 overs.

Aldwick had elected to bat and were soon regretting it, reeling on 21-3 with opener and skipper Alex Cooper removed by Sam Dunkley (2-26) for just seven and Dean Stokes (5) and Liam Hicks (1) following in quick succession.

The recovery came in the shape of Aiden Miles (24) who joined opener Ed White to put on 90 for the fourth wicket. Whites’s unbeaten 88 was the centrepiece of the visitors’ innings and his late partnership of 43 with Ollie Smith (19) was an important contribution.

Ryan Meighan (2-22) and Nick Hawke (2-25) were Findon’s top bowlers.

Defending 165 became a lot easier when Ian Horner ( 2-17 ) removed Findon opener Archie Cairns for a duck with first ball. Horner also soon bagged No3 Nick Hawke for just six before he had to leave for a family emergency.

Scorer Lara Johnson was on hand to take Horner’s place and bolstered the field with a decent display.

Findon’s fightback came from Jabe Rogers (72) ,who almost single-handedly gave his side a chance before he was the last man out in the 35th over with Findon just 14 short.

He was aided by Sam Dunkley (28) and James Henman (10) but Aldwick’s bowlers proved too much as Jamie Murphy (2-30), Liam Hicks (2-25) and Ollie Smith (3-15) won it for them.

Aldwick now face their toughest weekend of the season so far. On Saturday they face leaders RMU in the league and on Sunday face them again in the quarter-final of the Sussex League T20 cup.

After a week off, Aldwick twos travel to East Preston.

Reports from the top five divisions

All the latest local cricket

Chichester Priory Park 4th XI v Chippingdale

Div 11 West South

Top-of-the-table Chippendale proved too strong for a young Chichester squad.

Jonty Stanford gave a fine performance in scoring 42, but careless run-outs saw the team defeated in the 32nd over, all out for 130.

Earlier Matt Creswick took 3-60, Stanley Mayne 2-32 and Jonty 2-25 while Tim Gregory again shone with three catches as Chippingdale built a match-winning total of 205-7.

Littlehampton 4th v Chichester Priory Park 4th XI

Div 11 West South

Playing at Amberley, where the boundary favoured the wily placement of shots, Chichester were put in.

Steve Price with 92, Roger Smith 64 (retired), Henry Whitby 42, Tom Phizackerley 52 not out and Jonty Stanford helped Priory fourths pile up 314-7.

Chichester’s bowlers were determined to keep it tight and Jonty Stanford took 2-12 and Stanley Mayne 3-55. Matthew Creswick took a caught and bowled in his four overs, Smith took 1-11 and M Collins 1-27.

Littlehampton were all out for 138.

Lavant v Lynchmere

Skipper Steve Brooker asked Lynchmere to bat on a pitch tinged with green after rain.

He was rewarded when Ian Rawnsley bowled Tom Cain with the third ball of the innings. Chris Summers joined Hill and started the recovery with two huge sixes and several boundaries.

Brooker pushed Alex Burford to deep backward square and Summershit the next ball from Andy Nicholls straight to him.

This started a collapse and a total of six of Lynchmere’s batsmen lost their wickets without troubling the scorers. Simon Cain and substitute Richard Wignall put up some resistance, Cain scoring 15 before he looped a catch up to Brooker at first slip.

Lynchmere were all out for 71 with Nicholls taking 3-9, Phil Allen 2-12 and Burford 2-21.

Stuart Rawnsley opened Lavant’s reply with Graham Dale and they put on 21 before Rawnsley was caught one-handed by Wignall in the gully.

Lynchmere’s opening bowlers restricted the scoring rate but Lavant won by seven wickets, with Dale carrying his bat for 37.

Residents of a children’s home in West Sussex have been moved out after inspectors issued a registration suspension notice.

Ofsted gave the Seaside Children’s Home in Shoreham an ‘inadequate’ rating after a full inspection in June, then found not enough improvements had been made at a follow-up visit last week.

Children at the home have been found alternative accommodation and no new placements will be made there for the foreseeable future.

Following the inspection results West Sussex County Council carried out a review of all its other children’s homes resulting in the authority withdrawing services and temporarily suspending placements at two other homes.

The provision of respite care has been ceased at another for the foreseeable future.

Children living at these homes are being found alternative accommodation.

The county council says it is satisfied the level of care at the other homes in the county are of a good standard.

Louise Goldsmith, leader of the county council, said: “Our priority is the welfare of the children in our care and we take Ofsted’s findings very seriously. Obviously, I am disappointed by the report but we accept the findings.

“We have taken the initiative and where we haven’t been satisfied by the standards of care, we have taken the necessary and appropriate action.

“The children in West Sussex will always come first and we are now working hard to raise standards so that we have a consistently high level of care across the county.

“I am sorry for the disruption these decisions have had on the children in our care and their families.”

Residential children’s homes accommodate children with a range of complex needs including behavioural, emotional, physical and learning difficulties.

Seaside is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and aims to supports those who have had difficult experiences, many of whom have experienced significant trauma and attachment difficulties.

According to the report into Seaside: “There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.”

The inspectors added: “Significant concerns relating to the protection of children and the effectiveness of leaders and managers were identified at this inspection.

“Due to the serious nature of these concerns, Ofsted will issue a restriction of accommodation notice and two compliance notices.”

Ofsted found:

• Problems with the admissions process. One child had moved in recently having a ‘highly negative effect on the other children’. Staff have not been able to ensure that positive relationships are maintained in the group of children.

• Managers and staff had failed to ensure children are protected from harm, with strategies weak and ineffectual. A lack of safeguarding knowledge resulted in a failure to implement basic safety measures. A deputy manager expressed the view that it could not have been anticipated two children had the potential to harm one another, despite there being significant background information to suggest otherwise.

• Arrangements for supervising children was found to be weak as managers did not take steps to ensure waking night member of staff could consistently observe children leaving their bedrooms at night until a month after there was an alleged incident.

• Managers and staff did not consistently follow agreed child protection protocols and policies.

• Leadership and management of the home was identified as weak. Pre-admission assessments did not convey the rationale for accepting a child or how the home would meet the child’s needs.

• There has been a high turnover of staff since the last full inspection in June 2017. During this period eight members of staff had left, while five had joined. At the time of the inspection there were seven staff vacancies. Agency and bank staff were frequently used to cover staff shortages, with inconsistency in staffing having a destablising effect on some children.

• Staff were seen to interact positively with children during the inspection and children spoke positively about staff. But on one occasion a member of staff did not respond positively to a child who made contact after being reported missing. Inspectors said the approach taken by the member of staff was unlikely to have encouraged this vulnerable child to return to the home, particularly as they had only been recently admitted against their wishes.

Mrs Goldsmith described the report as ‘very upsetting’, but added: “The most important thing is what are we going to do and action needed to be taken swiftly and that’s exactly what we did.”

She said they were doing everything they could to minimise disruption for the children affected.

She added: “I’m very sorry about it but we will do everything in our power to move the service on so when they are back or new people are in we will not see a repeat of what has happened.”

She also thanked staff working in children’s homes for doing a terrific job, but described how recruitment was a ‘big issue’.

Mrs Goldsmith said the council would now be working to ensure all practices and standards are correct across all its children’s services.

While problems had been found at three of the council’s six children’s homes, standards at the other three were good with one rated ‘outstanding’.

Part of future work would look at why there was such a difference in standards across the six homes.

Stephen Hillier has been relived of his duties as cabinet member for children and young people, but Mrs Goldsmith declined to comment when asked directly if this decision was linked to the problems uncovered at the children’s homes.

But she did explain how a summer cabinet reshuffle had always been planned as in the autumn the council would be entering a ‘challenging budget phase’ and she wanted to give new members time to get up to speed before then.

Paul Marshall is taking over from Mr Hillier, while Roger Elkins becomes the new cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, succeeding Bob Lanzer.

Mr Lanzer will head up the reinstated corporate relations portfolio.

Car thefts increased last year in Sussex according to the latest police recorded crime figures, likely propelled by an increase in keyless cars.

The trend has led vehicle manufacturers to demand tighter controls on the ‘open sale’ of equipment used by criminals to steal cars.

Between April 2017 and March 2018, 1,855 vehicles were stolen, data from the Home Office has revealed.

That is an increase of 12 per cent on one year earlier, when 1,650 thefts were recorded.

That means, in Sussex, 11 vehicles were stolen for every 10,000 residents in the area.

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Car thefts are on the up in England and Wales, increasing by 15 per cent since 2016-17, and 40 per cent over the last five years.

Police and motoring campaigners have said this is probably due to a rise in keyless car thefts.

A spokesman from the Association of British Insurers said criminals are exploiting the vulnerabilities of the entry system by using pairs of radio transmitters to capture the signal from the vehicle’s fob, among other methods.

He added: “The theft risk will be one of many factors taken into account by insurers when assessing the price of your motor insurance policy.

“In recent years the average cost of motor insurance has been rising – in 2017, the average motor premium paid rose by nine per cent on 2016 to a record high.”

Nationally, about 70 per cent of vehicle-related thefts occurred at home and during the evening or night.

The ONS said 43 per cent of perpetrators entered the vehicle through an unlocked door, while breaking in through car windows has become less common in recent years.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, said: “Manufacturers are investing billions in ever more sophisticated security features and software updates on an ongoing basis.

“However, we continue to call for action to stop the open sale of equipment which helps criminals steal cars – equipment which has no legal purpose – and have written to the Home Secretary seeking a meeting to agree how this can be addressed.”

In Sussex there were 116 cases of aggravated robbery – for driving the stolen vehicle dangerously on the road or causing an accident.

Police also recorded 4,707 incidents related to thefts from vehicles, either of personal belongings, radios or other items.

That is an increase of 12.7 per cent from the previous year.

There were 982 crimes where the vehicle was damaged as part of an attempted theft, where the intent of the offender was not obvious.

Source data

Chichester City fell to a 4-2 when Championship side Tottenham in their final pre-season friendly at Oaklands Park.

Bianca Baptiste, Megan Wynne and Rianna Dean gave the London club took a 3-0 lead into the break.

In the second half Chichester fought back, Helen Ogle and Jess Lewry each grabbing a goal before an 84th-minute goal from Dean put the game to bed.

City ended pre-season with a loss but there were several positives to take.

Up next is the first league game of the season as Oxford United come to Oaklands Park this Sunday.

A strong Chichester side lined up and on the bench was Rebecca Barron and the returning Molly Clark, who had just come back from the Beach Soccer season, while Lewry made the squad following two excellent performance with the development squad.

In the rain, Spurs broke the deadlock. Wynne beat Sharna Capel-Watson down the right and sent in a great cross for Baptiste to head home.

Another player returning to the Chi side was Hollie Wride, who got her longest runout against Tottenham. The midfielder set up Chloe Melton with a ball over the top she squared for Jade Widdows but play was brought back after Melton received a blow to the face.

Wride took the free-kick and Ogle headed home, only to be disappointed as the offside flag was shown.

The visitors upped their game and scored twice before the break. Wynne went from provider to scorer as she met a cross in the box and scored after her first effort was blocked by the foot of goalkeeper Lauren Dolbear.

Next Dean sent a low shot into the goal, giving Aaron Smith and his side plenty to think about at half-time.

After the break Natasha Stephens, Laura Ingram, Sara Tubby, Barron and Clark all came on.

The changes helped and three minutes after the restart Chichester were back in it. Clark found Stephens out wide and she curled the ball into the box, allowing Ogle to fire in.

Chichester grew in confidence in the second half and when Clark found youngster Tubby on the edge of the box her cross was met by Lewry’s head.

This seemed to spur on Spurs and Dean’s second of the afternoon sealed the win.

Several more could have been added but for heroics in the Chichester goal from new keeper Dolbear.

HAYLEY NEWMAN

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Sussex were given a fright by Middlesex before reaching the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast for the first time since 2015 with a 31-run win at Hove.

Skipper Luke Wright, returning after missing two games with a back spasm, made 74 and fellow opener Phil Salt hit 66 from just 25 balls in their 215 for 5 after they had been put in.

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Rapid half-centuries by Paul Stirling and John Simpson, who shared 122 in 8.1 overs for the second wicket, had Middlesex on course for victory halfway through their reply, but leg-spinner Will Beer removed both in successive overs and Middlesex’s hopes of claiming only their second win of the season effectively ended when Eoin Morgan was run out in the 15thover. They lost their last seven wickets for 26 in 5.4 overs and were bowled out for 184 in 19.4 overs, finishing the group with just two wins.

Sussex knew only victory would secure a last-eight place and Salt and Wright set the tone by smashing 80 in the powerplay. Salt matched the 19-ball 50 he made against Middlesex at Lord’s as James Fuller’s first two overs were taken for 38. Salt struck four sixes and eight fours before slicing a drive off James Harris to short third-man from the final ball of the sixth over.

Wright became the first Englishman to pass 7,000 T20 runs when he reached 12 and he went on to put on 106 in 11.1 overs for the second wicket with Laurie Evans, whose 36 took him to 492 runs in the group stages.

Fuller pegged Sussex back by taking three wickets in four balls during the 16th over. Evans drove his slower ball to cover, Delray Rawlins was caught at short fine-leg off the next delivery and Wright mis-timed a drive to extra cover, having faced 48 balls and hit nine fours in his 44th half-century in the format.

Morgan used seven bowlers but was unable to prevent Sussex from making their highest T20 total against Middlesex.

Middlesex needed to score at nearly 11 an over but after losing George Scott in the first over Stirling and Simpson laid into some wayward bowling, outscoring Sussex by thrashing 90 in the powerplay. Rashid Khan was missing as he prepares for Afghanistan’s one-day series in Ireland next week and it was his replacement Beer who made the breakthrough when Stirling chopped on for 58 from 29 balls (3 sixes, 6 fours).

Beer struck again in his next over when Simpson holed out to long off for 62, made off 29 balls with six sixes and four boundaries, but Sussex were only able to breath easily after taking two wickets in the 15th over. Danny Briggs ran out Eoin Morgan (16) off his own bowling when Morgan failed to make his ground going for a tight single and James Franklin was caught behind off a big top edge.

Middlesex subsided thereafter and Chris Jordan finished things off when he yorked Nathan Sowter and Tom Barber with successive deliveries in the final over.

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The Sharks beat Middlesex by 31-runs to ensure a place in the last eight of the competition.

Sussex skipper Luke Wright said: "I felt it was a great effort by both teams to get the scores they did because the wicket was dying and keeping low, it was hard to hit boundaries when the ball got soft and I was delighted with the score we got.

"When Stirling and Simpson were going well I was worried but they still had to score at eight or nine an over and I felt if we kept our nerve and got those two out we could pile in and that’s what we did.

"It’s great just to be in the quarter-finals. We missed out on the last game last year but whoever we play we’ll fancy our chances. There are some good teams in the North Group but we’re not a bad side ourselves and we’ve won three games this week so maybe we’ve got some momentum just at the right time."

READ MORE Sussex star Rashid Khan to miss final Vitality Blast group game after being recalled by Afghanistan | Rising Sussex star pens new deal |
Sussex spinner extends Hove stay

Middlesex coach Daniel Vettori said: "We’ve run the whole gamut of how to lose T20 games this season. We were poor at the start with the ball tonight, but managed to drag it back on a small ground with a tiny boundary to defend.

"When we batted we had it comfortably in control but losing four wickets in two overs when you have to face Mills, Jordan and Archer at the death you almost have to kill the game before that happens and we killed the game for ourselves rather than in a positive way."

There were a few Tone Zoners out at the Harting Hill ten-mile race across multi-terrain race over private tarmac lanes, hard gravel tracks and some paths.

The route runs up to the top of the Downs and gently down into South Harting. In her first-ever race for the club, Ellie Pacey ran a very strong race, on a tough course to finish in an impressive time of 1hr 37min.

Debbie Patching was the next club runner to complete the course just under the 1:50 mark. Lisa Robinson, Debs Pacey and Jo Hall crossed the line in formation, finishing under 1:53.

The following day saw the Goodwood five-mile hillclimb run meant another strong turnout for the club.

First home for Tone Zone and second lady overall was the ever impressive Jess Thomson in 35:02. She was followed by Anna Enes, Mark Green and Alan Coombs, all under 40 minutes.

Sean O’Donnell and Martin Playford finished together just over the 40-minute mark.

Sam Miles and Stephen Goddard both ran strong races in the evening sun, finishing one after another in 45 minutes. Ian Buchan and Zoe Hemes both finished strongly to record a sub-50 for the hilly course.

Tone Zone results: Harting Hill 10 Mile - Ellie Pacey 1.37; Debbie Patching 1.49; Lisa Robinson 1.52; Debbie Pacey 1.52; Jo Hall 1.53. Goodwood 5 Mile Hillclimb - Jess Thomson 35.02; Anne Kari Enes 36.37; Mark Green 38.10; Alan Coombs 38.28; Sean Odonnell 40.13; Martin Playford 40.38; Peter Ramsdale 42.26; Christine Rounds 44.09; Jackie Williamson 44.24; Sam Miles 45.44; Stephen Goddard 45.56; Ian Buchan 47.23; Zoe Hemes 49.13; Sarah Spurr 51.30; Amy O Donnell 52.49; Angela Money 1.03.47.

JACK PENFOLD

Half marathon is proving popular again

Tough going for young athletes

Mannings Heath’s 18th green saw joy and disappointment on Saturday as Teignmouth’s Billy Hemstock beat Dave Coupland from Woodhall Spa on the first hole of a sudden death play-off to win the HotelPlanner.com EuroPro Nokia Masters.

Coupland had spent most of the day with his feet up having been one of the few players to complete their second round on Friday. He had added a five-under-par 67 to his opening 66 before torrential mid-day rain flooded the greens, wiping out play for the day and reducing the three round event to 36 holes.

Nearly a third of the 154-strong field had not even teed off before play was suspended and Hemstock had only completed seven holes. He was seven shots behind the leader when he resumed his round but an astonishing clutch of seven birdies, culminating with a superb breaking putt on the last, saw him card a brilliant 65 to finish 11 under par and guarantee a play-off.

Former Heath junior Marco Penge had looked as if he might also get to -11 after some monster drives and precision putting had left him nine under the card with two holes to play, but a shanked chip from the edge of the 17th denied him a banker birdie and even a brave three on the last left him one short.

With first round leader Richard Mansell failing to build on his opening 65 and the other challengers falling away, only one other contender, Stiggy Hodgson from The Wisley, threatened to make it a triple tie.

But a slightly overcooked pitch on the 18th left him with an impossible recovery from the top of the bank and he too joined Penge and Will Enefer, another Friday finisher, in equal third place on 134.

On the 18th, Coupland’s tee shot was straight down the middle and left him 140 yards to the pin while Hemstock’s ball was longer but left of the fairway with his view of the target blocked by trees.

Both players found the green safely, but Coupland, faced with his first competitive putt of the day, struck his difficult right-to-left 20-footer too strongly while Hemstock lagged his 15-footer to two-and-a-half feet.

With six feet to save par Coupland struck his putt firmly but saw it wobble agonisingly out of the jaws and a joyful Hemstock held his nerve to claim his first win of the season and £10,000.

Coupland had already claimed two EuroPro titles this year and victory would have left him just one win away from the tour’s £250,000 bonus.

His £6000 runner-up prize consolidated his lead in the tour’s order of merit race though and makes him a strong favourite to earn a place on next year’s Challenge Tour.

The club expects to host the event again next year and will be hoping for third time lucky with the weather.

Four salons from the Herald and Gazette area are among the ten competing for the People’s Choice Award 2018.

The Sussex Salon Awards celebrate and acknowledge the success of some of the most creative, dynamic and innovative hair salons, hairdressers and barbers across East and West Sussex.

Customers vote for the winner of the People’s Choice Award, with finalists including GMD Hair and Beauty Studio in Worthing, V-Hair Salon in Worthing, LA Studio in Shoreham and Jones & Co in Littlehampton.

Read more: Five star salon turns into a celebrity hot spot

Also up for the award are Chaland Ellis Hairdressing in Peacehaven, House of Hair in Brighton, Luscious VIP in Eastbourne, Monroe Hair in Brighton, North Street Hair in Brighton and Studio 2 in Horsham.

Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on October 28 at Hilton Metropole, Brighton.

Stuart Jones, from Jones & Co, in High Street, Littlehampton, said: “With the salon only being open less than two years, we are so proud to be even in the running for the People’s Choice Award.

“When I opened the salon, I was new to the area and salon has gone from strength to strength.”

GMD Hair and Beauty Studio, in Station Parade, Tarring Road, Worthing, is a friendly and relaxed salon with experienced staff who work to personalise each customer’s experience.

V-Hair Salon, in Elm Grove, Worthing, is proud to be a finalist. The stylists aim to give customers an enjoyable experience in a friendly and caring environment.

LA Studio, in High Street, Shoreham, is the south’s leading hair extension salon, offering the finest, ethically-sourced human hair and expertly-applied colouring and styling techniques.

To vote and for more information, visit www.sussexsalonawards.co.uk. Other categories are judged by industry professionals.

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Friends have waist-length hair cut for charity

Five star salon turns into a celebrity hot spot

Goring salon Anthony Michael Hair closes as owner retires

A flat in Crawley associated with drugs and criminal activity has been shut down.

Police said officers had received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour and activities such as drug taking and assaults taking place at flat 7, Robinson House, High Street, over recent months.

The property was served with a closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 on Wednesday (August 15) preventing anyone from entering the premises.

Anti-social behaviour and Hate Crime coordinator, Bryony Lewin-Playford said: “The issue of a closure order on the flat in Robinson House follows a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour, reports of drug taking and an assault at the location over recent months.

“We listened to the concerns from residents regarding the problems the occupants and those visiting the flat have been causing and this closure will help prevent this behaviour from continuing.

“The Crawley Prevention Team and partner agencies will work together to tackle issues such as these and work towards a long-term and sustainable solution.

“This would not have been possible however, without the assistance from the public in reporting these issues to us. We are urging the communities to continue to report matters to us so that robust action can be taken.”

I was surprised to see the other day the results of a survey of fans of Bostik premier teams conducted by the good folk who run the league’s website.

One fan of each of the premier division’s 22 clubs had been asked to rank where each team would finish – then their answers had been combined into a final table.

It showed the Rocks as champions, just taking the title ahead of Folkestone Invicta. Margate, Tonbridge and Kingstonian were the next three, while Haringey, Harlow and Potters Bars made up the bottom three.

Of the other Sussex clubs, Whitehawk were placed just outside the play-offs, Lewes and Worthing in mid-table and Burgess Hill a couple of places outside the drop zone.

Many of the predicted placings made sense but I was highly surprised to see Bognor come out on top. Maybe fans of other clubs are remembering how well the men in white and green fared in their last season at this level, finishing second and only just behind champions Havant in 2016-17.

I suspect if you were to survey 22 Bognor fans, rather than a group of 22 Bostik premier supporters including only one from Bognor, you’d get a very different outcome.

At the moment. I think last season’s struggles are still in people’s minds and many are thinking a season of consolidation, hopefully with at least a push for promotion, is about the best that can be hoped for.

I may be wrong but I wouldn’t think too many members of the Green Army are expecting a title party at the end of April 2019.

That said, not too many would have predicted second-place finishes in the then Ryman premier in 2016 or 2017... so Bognor are certainly capable of punching above their weight at this step of the non-league scene, if not the next one up.

And a win and a draw in their opening two games will only have heightened expectations among supporters.

The squad Jack Pearce and Robbie Blake have at their disposal for the coming months doesn’t look half bad.

Of the players who have departed, I think Dan Beck, James Crane and Ollie Pearce will all be missed most. But the defence and midfield available to the Rocks for this coming season have had a solid look to them ever since the majority of last season’s squad committed to the cause quite early in the summer.

And the more recent additions to the squad of Pompey duo Brad Lethbridge and Dan Smith, and now goalie Dan Lincoln, back for what we hope will be a third full season at the Lane, has given the line-up a better all-round look.

Bognor have a strong first XI and probably, when everyone in the squad is fit and available, a matchday 16 good enough to challenge in the top half. And they are due a season of better luck with injuries.

If they can avoid as many long-term casualties as were seen last term, and also be better disciplined so as not to keep losing key man to suspensions, I see no reason why they can’t mount a serious promotion challenge.

The bookies seem to agree, though they don’t go as far as the fans in that survey. The odds for Bostik premier promotion favour AFC Hornchurch over everyone else, with Margate, Kingstonian and then the Rocks behind them.

We ought to mention Dorking, who have spent big and have a certain Jason Prior leading the line. Both the fans and the bookies have them in sixth place in the pecking order.

Like all forecasts, be they of the weather or the football variety, they can soon be proved to be way off target. But Bognor should at least go into the new season buoyed by the respect others have in their ability and potential.

Champions? I don’t think so myself, nice though it would be. And perhaps Pearce, Blake and their team won’t end the season quite as far off the prize as some would have feared after relegation last season.

STEVE BONE

Pompey duo inspire Rocks win in home opener

Blake verdict on Rocks v Merstham

Lydia Conway, ten, has completed her second charity haircut for Little Princess Trust.

Lydia is blind in one eye and she wanted to help other children less fortunate than herself.

Mum Lisa Conway, of Greenfields, Wick, said: “Lydia donated her hair when she was younger. Over the last few years, she has continued to grow her hair and on August 14, she had it cut and is donating it again.”

Read more: Wick’s brave Lydia lops off her locks to help ill children

For the first haircut, Lydia was inspired by the touching story of Ashya King, a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour who made headlines across the globe.

Lydia was upset to learn children sometimes lose their hair during cancer treatment. She wanted to help by donating her own hair to Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair.{

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{https://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/trees-on-daisyfields-site-in-littlehampton-saved-after-council-sells-land-1-8601622/|Trees on Daisyfields site in Littlehampton saved after council sells land}

Amputee footballer from Angmering models Albion’s new kit

Still doing the splits at 77 - Littlehampton man on staying as supple as a 25-year-old

Albion will look to bounce back from last week's defeat to Watford when they host Manchester United at the Amex tomorrow.

United, who finished second in the Premier League last year, met the Seagulls three times last season.

Jose Mourinho's side beat Brighton 1-0 in the league and 2-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford, while Albion were 1-0 victors at the Amex - a win which sealed their place in the top flight for another season.

READ MORE Is Brighton v Manchester United on TV, what time is kick-off, what are the odds? | Jahanbakhsh looking forward to home debut against Manchester United | Brighton & Hove Albion latest: Who will start for Albion against Manchester United? Where do the Seagulls need to improve? | The key points from Brighton manager Chris Hughton's pre-match Manchester United press conference

LIKELY LINE-UPS

BRIGHTON - Albion boss Chris Hughton has some decisions to make after last weekend's disappointing defeat to Watford, when the Seagulls just did not get going.

Deadline-day signing from Valencia Martin Montoya could get his debut after Bruno limped off at Vicarage Road last week.

Club record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh could also be set for his first start on the wing, while Yves Bissouma - who impressed at Watford after coming off the bench - could also come into the starting line-up.

The 21-year-old Mali international starred at Lille last season and the early impressions are he will become a big player for Albion sooner rather than later.

Hughton confirmed that Albion will be without skipper Bruno on Sunday, but hopes the Spaniard will return to training at some point next week.

Andone and Izquierdo are also confirmed to be missing from the squad for Albion’s first home game of the season, but Hughton said both are ‘close’ to being available.

Likely line-up: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Jahanbakhsh, Stephens, Propper, Knockaert; Gross; Murray. Subs (from): Button, Balogun, Bissouma, March, Locadia, Kayal, Hemed, Bong, Schelotto.

MANCHESTER UNITED - United began the new Premier League season with a 2-1 win against Leicester last week. Goals from Paul Pogba, from the penalty spot, and left-back Luke Shaw gave the Red Devils all three points.

Romelu Lukaku began that game on the bench but could come into the starting line-up at the Amex, with Marcus Rashford the player most likely to drop to the bench.

Shaw's performance in the victory over Leicester will probably see him again start at left-back ahead of Ashley Young and ex-Albion loanee Jesse Lingard could also come into the squad for the first time this season after impressing for England at the World Cup.

Summer signing Diogo Dalot was set to return to full training this week but Sunday's game could be too soon for the right-back. Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia are also set to miss out through injury, along with Ander Herrera and Romero.

Likely line-up: De Gea; Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Pereira, Pogba; Mata, Sanchez; Lukaku. Subs (from): Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Smalling, Grant, Young, Fellaini, McTominay.

A warning has been issued over a new scam targeting overseas students and visitors to the country.

The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime Action Fraud has said scammers are contacting overseas students and visitors via their mobile phone or social media posing as representatives of UK or foreign law enforcement.

After fraudsters have claimed to work with their respective embassy or government, they tell the victim that there is evidence in the form of forged documentation or parcels which implicate them in a crime such as money laundering, fraud or immigration offences.

They then demand personal details before threatening the victim by suggesting there is a warrant for their arrest which will result in their deportation and imprisonment.

Victims are told to transfer a payment in order to cancel the arrest or pay a fine.

Action Fraud said once the money is transferred, all contact between the victim and the fraudster is severed.

It has released the following advice to combat this new scam:

- Police will never ask you to withdraw to transfer money so “it can be checked”, neither would they demand money to in order to cancel an arrest.

- Do not be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details no matter who they say they are; protect your information and have the confidence to question and refuse unusual requests.

- If you have made a payment to someone claiming to be the police or government department, and you think you might be a victim of fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using our online fraud reporting tool. You can also get advice about fraud or cyber-crime by calling 0300 123 2040.

- If you are a student you can ask your Student Union or University for advice, help and support.

Crawley Town suffered their second defeat in a row in League 2, falling 1-0 away to Port Vale.

Despite plenty of attacking threat from Reds, a 21st minute goal on the rebound by the Valiants’ Luke Hannant decided the game.

Fans gave a minute’s applause for Port Vale fan Tony Evans who died during Port Vale’s opening game of the season.

Harry Kewell handed first league starts to new signings Rob Milsom and Reece Grego-Cox.

Josh Payne was on the bench and Dominic Poleon was serving a suspension for being sent-off during Tuesday night’s defeat to Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

Hannant scored the only goal of the game in the 21st minute when he followed up a shot an initial shot by David Worrall which was well saved by Glenn Morris.

Vale continued to press and Ricky Miller found himself in space and shot from 25 yards which flew narrowly over the bar.

Lewis Young had the best chance for Crawley in the first half but his cross goalwards hit the post and rebounded out of the dangerzone.

Just before half-time Milson won the ball off an opponent and set-up Filipe Morais, whose shot flew narrowly off-target.

Reds started the second half well with Milsom playing a fine ball in to Palmer who headed wide.

Young forced Michael Brown to make a save with an on-target header.

Crawley continued to work hard for an equaliser and Ollie Palmer had a double chance which was blocked and then deflected allowing the keeper to gather.

Then a move involving Morais, Young and Palmer ended with Palmer saving well from close-range.

Substitute Panutche Camara fired over from inside the area.

Then Morais appeared to have scored a brilliant goal but in fact the ball hit the side-netting.

In the last five minutes Morris made a fine save to deny Tom Pope, but despite a resounding display in the second half, ended up suffering their second successive league defeat.

Crawley Town: Morris, Young (Nathaniel-George 71), Doherty, Connolly, Grego-Cox (Camara 77), Palmer, Francomb, Vincelot (capt), Bulman (Randall 77), Morias, Milsom

Unused subs: Mersin, Payne, McNerney

Port Vale: Brown, Gibbons, Joyce, Legge, Worrall (Quigley 79), Oyeleke (Kay 38), Pope, Miller, Hannant, Rawlingson, Clark

Unused subs: Hornby, Smith, Kanu, Dodds, Vessell

Attendance: 4,159 (70 away)

The Rocks kicked off looking to make it two home wins in four days, but it was the visitors who started the brighter as they found success with Chris Gregan’s long throw - but Stortford were unable to find a way past Dan Lincoln in the home goal.

As the first half progressed both teams struggled to take a firm grip of proceedings although Lincoln did have a save to make from close range when Chinedu Osadebe found space to get a shot off.

There was a setback for Bognor midway through the half when Tommy Block was forced off through injury and had to be replaced by Tommy Scutt.

As the half drew to a close the away side had a real chance to score when they were given a free kick on the edge of the home penalty area - however the resulting free kick flew high over the bar into the Sussex sky.

As the teams returned to the pitch it was clear the words of the managers were still ringing in the players' ears. A neat shot by Smith was saved superbly by Callum Kitscha with the resulting corner cleared easily.

Twenty minutes were left when it suddenly burst into life. Jimmy Muitt received the ball on the right and his cross was met by Lethbridge, who tapped in from close range much to the delight of the Nyewood Lane faithful.

The visitors tried to force an equaliser; however it was Bognor who scored again four minutes later as Doug Tuck had a shot on the edge of the box, only to miscue it - but Smith was the lucky recipient as he turned and smashed the ball low and hard past KItscha who was left grasping at thin air.

The Rocks made sure of the win eight minutes from time as Archie Edwards was brought down inside the penalty area by Stortford debutant Isaac Nkosi. Smith stepped up to take the resulting kick and he made no mistake from 12 yards,completing a very good result for the Rocks.

Jack Pearce and Robbie Blake will be delighted to see their side in second place in the Bostik premier after three games. They go to AFC Hornchurch next Saturday.

Rocks: Lincoln, Davies, Edwards, Tuck, Field, Wood, Whyte, Block, Smith, Muitt, Lethbridge. Subs: Sparks, Ridge, Scutt, Heath, Walsh.

Walsh flies in

Title talk seems over-optimistic

* Report by Lee Roberts - the voice of Rocks Radio - listen to every game live on Rocks Radio. See Twitter and Facebook for links.