Crosstown rivals neck-and-neck

Bexhill United go on the attack during their 2-0 win away to Midhurst & Easebourne last weekend. Picture by Louise Adams (C140060-3)

Little Common are now just a solitary point above Bexhill United as the crosstown rivals try to sneak up on the rails in the Sussex County Football League Division Two promotion race.

Fifth-placed Common are eight points behind a Haywards Heath Town side which occupies the third and final promotion position.

Bexhill made it three consecutive wins with a 2-0 victory away to Midhurst & Easebourne last weekend, while Common are still to kick a ball since their Boxing Day defeat to Bexhill after their match at Steyning Town was postponed.

Weather permitting, both clubs are due to be on home soil tomorrow (Saturday) with Common entertaining second-placed Loxwood and Bexhill facing bottom half side Storrington.

Common player-manager Russell Eldridge watched Loxwood draw away to leaders Eastbourne United AFC last weekend. He said: “It’s a big game. They looked a little bit different to what we played against away (Common lost 6-3 at Loxwood in mid-November), but we’re going to be in for a tough game.”

Last weekend’s postponement means that Common’s suspensions roll over to tomorrow’s game so Eldridge, Jared Lusted, Jon Saunders and Josh Elliott-Noye are all sidelined.

A heavily depleted Bexhill side lost 3-0 away to Storrington at the end of November, but the Pirates are unbeaten since while the West Sussex side has lost all five of its subsequent fixtures.

Bexhill are also due to be in action on Tuesday night away to Eastbourne United. Bexhill are the only team to beat Eastbourne in the league so far this season having come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at The Polegrove in October.

Bexhill manager Kenny McCreadie said: “I’m really looking forward to the upcoming games. I have a lot of good players to choose from, meaning some will play for the reserves to get 90 minutes. I’ve got big decisions to make which is a nice change after missing key players for some away matches.”

Common striker Jamie Crone looks set to try his luck with Ryman Football League Division One South outfit Eastbourne Town. Eldridge said: “It does look like that. He’s had a conversation with me that he’s having a look over there.”