Two spectacular goals from Russell Hardwell and a first senior goal from Dan Stimpson kept Chichester City United on course at the top of the County League at East Grinstead on Saturday.

Results elsewhere also saw two of Chi's main rivals dropping points as Horsham YMCA lost at Hassocks and Three Bridges drew with Pagham. There is now a clear gap between Chi and the chasing pack with about a third of the season gone.

However Chi's midfield had a depleted look with captain, Paul Thomas, joining the injured list with a back problem. In the circumstances the first twenty minutes or so were pretty scrappy with neither side able to impose any authority on the game.

But Chi's opener when it came was provided from an unusual source as stand-in midfielder, Dan Stimpson, nudged a corner goalwards through a crowded goalmouth. Somehow the ball eluded the stranded goalkeeper and an assortment of defenders and attackers in the goal area to eventually nestle tamely inside the post. Stimpson, normally a defender, seemed as bewildered as everyone else that his shot had found the net but graciously accepted the congratulations from his team mates.

Chi's next effort ten minutes later was a much more dramatic affair as Hardwell took aim from 25 yards out to send a stinging shot flying past Dave Tidy as his near post as the goalkeepers attention seemed to have wandered.

Within minutes Tidy looked as though he would be beaten again as Jamie Laidlaw latched onto Roger Moore's incisive pass to go round the keeper but the Chi striker was denied this time as Kevin Wright came to the home sides rescue with a last ditch tackle.

As East Grinstead pressed forward after the interval Wright also turned up in an attacking role and Lee Preston did well to turn a fierce cross range effort from the full back over the crossbar. Chi for once were forced back on their heels and needed all the defensive know-how of Steve Leigh, Paul Jones and Ben Hitchman to protect their lead while Hardwell, Mark Jackson and Tony Stephens were busy breaking things up in midfield. James Horner also fired a free kick against one post and then the other post came to Chi's aid shortly afterwards as the visitors rode their luck.

Eventually it was Hardwell that settled things once and for all as he robbed Horner on the half way line and ran past several tackles to swerve round Tidy and run the ball into the empty net to make it 3-0. Not only was it Hardwell's second goal of the afternoon but also doubled his tally for the season.

Chi now take a brief break from League action to play cup ties against in form Oakwood in the Sussex Senior Cup and then a midweek visit to Pagham in the R.U.R. Charity Cup.

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Preston, Hardwell, Jackson, Hitchman, Jones, Leigh, Stephens, N. Murfin, Moore, Laidlaw, Stimpson (Miah)
Subs: Miah (used), Hickman and Osborne (not used)
Scorers: Hardwell (2), Stimpson

Attendance: 112