OUTSTANDING displays from Stratton United strikers Tim Couch and Mike Sibley on Saturday saw the visitors rewarded with a spot at the top of the table; the duo's respective hat-tricks condemning a determined Lewdown side to defeat.

Miserable conditions greeted the visitors — whose loss of suspended duo Matt Tape and Pete Lovett was offset by the return of visionary attacker Lee James to the squad — and they anticipated a physical encounter with a side renowned for giving nothing less than 100 per cent.

Any doubts United may have had however were misplaced; mercurial midfielder Sean Manning opening the scoring with a goal he wholly deserved based on recent form.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.