Two goals and an assist from Pete Cooper ensured three points and a return to the top of the SCFL Division Two table as Eastbourne United AFC beat previously unbeaten Newhaven 5-1 at a wet and blustery Oval.
United manager Paul Daubeney made three changes to the side that secured a 4-2 victory over Steyning Town last Saturday with Ben Hughes, Steve Stracey and Mark Goodwin all returning to the starting XI in the places of injured captain Lee Jules, the unavailable Shaun Lee and Nick Barden, who found himself on the bench.
There were also places on the bench for the returning Simon Catt and Gianluca Del-Gaudio.
Newhaven had a familiar face in their side with big frontman Ryan Walton leading the line against the side that he played 4 times for last season

With the rain falling and making the turf very slick, both teams set about playing at a fast pace and United could have found themselves ahead early on as Liam Baitup rattled the crossbar with a powerful header following a long Luke Denton throw-in.
United didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock as a Jamie Bunn cross was turned home by Mark Goodwin via a deflection from the Newhaven defender on the goal line
Newhaven immediately tried to peg United back and saw a corner go narrowly wide of the United goal.
On 12 minutes, a long ball over the top of the Newhaven defence found Baitup who outpaced Scott Edwards and forced the defender into conceding a penalty.
Cooper stepped up and confidently despatched Leach the wrong way to further their lead to 2-0.
Newhaven had their best chance of the first half through the lively Lee Robinson as he was picked out after a defence splitting pass but his effort was well saved by the onrushing Adam Sargent for United.
With half-time fast approaching, ‘The Dockers’ looked to take a hold of the game and Robinson was again involved as his cross-cum-shot hit the crossbar with Sargent well beaten.

The second half started where the first had ended, by Newhaven having the upper hand and they were rewarded on 50 minutes as Robinson slid home under pressure at the back post to make it 2-1 ensuring an exciting second half.
Their spell of dominance was short lived as United were kicked back into life as an inch perfect cross from Cooper was expertly headed home by Baitup for his 9th goal in three league fixtures this season.
Robinson soon got involved in the action again for Newhaven as his teasing cross fell to Walton, whose shot was always rising under the pressure of United centre backs Featherstone and Sherriff.
Baitup tried to make it 10 goals for the season on 61 minutes as he unleashed a powerful strike form 35 yards that saw Leach beaten, but not the crossbar.
Adam Sargent was called backed into action on 74 minutes as he made a smart save and follow up following a skidding drive by Newhaven.
Moments later, Cooper scored his second of the night as he hit a curling effort from outside the area that Leach will no doubt feel he should have done better with to make it 4-1 to United.
with time now starting to run down, the game started to be played at a more leisurely pace and on 85 minutes centre back Pete Featherstone found himself with space the elope up field and he unleashed a stunning 30 yard strike to round of the victory and send the United fans home happy