Bexhill set for top-of-table clash

Jamie Crone in the thick of the action for Bexhill United during their 3-1 defeat away to Midhurst & Easebourne last weekend. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

The Pirates will travel to Worthing United in a Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two first versus second encounter.

“We’ve got to go out there and win,” said Bexhill manager Marc Munday, whose side could have drawn level on points with leaders Worthing had they won away to Midhurst & Easebourne last weekend.

The 3-1 defeat suffered by a depleted Bexhill team, however, means they still trail Worthing by three points having played three more matches.

Bexhill were the first club to beat Worthing in the league this season. A Jack Aston wonder strike gave them a 1-0 victory in their opening home fixture of the campaign back in September.

“We set up a little bit differently now, but everyone from the defence to the forwards has got to work hard,” continued Munday. “They’re going to have a lot of the football because they’re good at keeping the ball. We’ve got to make it hard for them and we’re more than capable of scoring against them.

“Our firepower this time round should be far greater. We’re creating a lot more chances at present than we did when we played them early in the season and if we can put some of those chances away, I’m sure the boys will defend for their lives.”

Both sides have only lost three league fixtures, although Worthing have won three more than Bexhill, who have also had six draws.

With three promotion places up for grabs, Bexhill are three points ahead of third-placed Wick & Barnham United and fourth-placed AFC Uckfield Town having played four more games than the former and three more than the latter.

Bexhill are due to visit sixth-placed Oakwood next weekend and Wick on Saturday January 31.

“Out of the 12 points available this month, initially I was looking at 10,” Munday went on. “Now the target’s got to be nine. That was our banker Saturday (against Midhurst), but if we want to go up in this league, we’ve got to beat the sides we’ve got to play anyway. It’s just made it a little bit harder.”

Bexhill expect to be close to full strength for tomorrow’s clash. Several players are set to return after missing the Midhurst match because of a wedding, Chris Cumming-Bart is back from suspension and Andy Atkin has recovered from illness. Munday says his troublesome knee has felt much better since the Midhurst match.