Littlehampton Town got the New Year off to a flying start with completing the double over near neighbours Bognor Regis Town with a 4-1 victory.

A crowd of 1282 witnessed the visitors’ explosive start which blew away their hosts and something they didn’t ever recover from.

The Golds were in front on 11 minutes, on loan Horsham winger and ex-Rock Lucas Pattenden stole in down the right hand side and fired across Dan Lincoln for the opening goal.

Just three minutes later Pattenden was in again, crossing for George Gaskin to flick the ball home to double Littlehampton’s lead.

With a relentless mindset they added to their lead on 20 minutes as Josh Short bundled the ball from a few yards out after two efforts were blocked from another Pattenden cross.

Despite all looking lost so early in the game, Bognor had a route back in just after the half hour mark, Callum Laycock pulled down in the box and Lee Seok-Jae scoring from the penalty spot.

However, spot on 45 minutes, Littlehampton had a penalty of their own after Nic D’Arienzo was pulled down, Marshall Ball firing the ball home to restore the three goal advantage just before half time.

Bognor needed to give it a go in the second half and had another penalty three minutes in, Golds keeper Billy Collings brining down a Rocks striker but redeemed himself saving Seok’s second spot kick.

The Rocks had their chances with Collings make two one-on-one saves as the Golds sat and protected their lead, the hosts day made worse when Brandon Chebby was dismissed with five minutes left after seemingly catching Collings on a follow through.

The results leaves both sides level on 32 points in mid-table, Rocks entertain Horndean at Nyewood Lan this Saturday whilst Golds head to Fareham Town, both ko’s 3pm.