Clubs search for extra gear

Bexhill have drawn both of their games over the past week and crosstown rivals Common have lost both of theirs.

“Last month we were consistent because we won all our games, but it’s a little bit disjointed and we’re not quite finding it,” Common player-manager Russell Eldridge said. “We’re probably better than the results that we’re getting at the moment, but ultimately scorelines don’t lie.”

Common are determined to show ‘the real us’ when they travel to Rustington today (Saturday) having lost 5-2 at home to the West Sussex side last weekend.

“Saturday’s performance was unacceptable in every single way,” said Eldridge. “The effort, workrate, passing, everything just wasn’t there. When you step onto that football pitch, the least you can do is work hard and for some reason we didn’t do that.

“We get the chance to put it right against Rustington and having had the result we had at the weekend, I guess it could work in our favour. I would like to think we’ll have a bit more fire in ourselves and show the real us.

“We’ll be going there looking to get a positive result and it’s important we do so in the league. Having lost three games, we can’t really afford to lose many more if we want to be up there towards the end of the season.”

Eldridge has been working on bringing in a couple of players to bolster a Common squad which lies fifth in Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two.

Bexhill manager Marc Munday said: “We’re just lacking in the final third. Whether it be the final ball or a shot, we’re just not clinical enough and we’re not creating enough.

“We’re keeping it fairly tight at the back; we just need to push on and get some goals. I don’t think it will take much for it to click because they’re all talented lads.”

Bexhill are two places beneath Common, albeit only on goal difference, having picked up just three points from their last five league games, all of which have been at home.

“We’re just not putting teams away,” continued Munday. “It’s frustrating, but we were never under any pressure to try and push for promotion. For me it’s building for the future anyway.

“Not writing off this season, but realistically if we can bond and get better together...it’s all about the long-term for us down here. We want to finish as high as possible and if the opportunity to go up comes along, then great.”

Bexhill will travel to Saltdean United in round one of the Division Two Challenge Cup today keen to make amends for a 3-2 loss at home to the Tigers in the league at the end of last month.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Macron Store Sussex County League, Division 2: Rustington v Little Common.

Division 2 Challenge Cup, 1st round: Saltdean Utd v Bexhill Utd; Wick & Barnham Utd v Westfield.

Reserve Section (East): Westfield v AFC Uckfield Town.

Reserve Section Challenge Cup, 2nd round: Bexhill Utd v Ringmer; Little Common v Ferring.

Sussex County FA Intermediate Cup, 2nd round: Eastbourne Utd AFC v Hollington Utd.

East Sussex League, Premier Division: Battle Baptists v St Leonards Social; Ore Athletic v Peche Hill Select; Robertsbridge Utd v Iden.

Division 1: Sidley Utd v Ticehurst; Wadhurst Utd v Hawkhurst Utd.

Division 3: Eastbourne Athletic v AFC Hastings; Peche Hill Select II v Bexhill-On-Sea.

Division 4: Bexhill Rovers v West Hill Utd; Conquest Utd v Bexhill Utd III; Little Common III v Burwash.

Division 5: Ticehurst II v JC Tackleway II.

Division 6: FC Westridge v Robertsbridge Utd II; Hawkhurst Utd II v Punnetts Town II; Sedlescombe Rangers III v Sandhurst II.

Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup, 1st round: Rock-a-Nore v Ninfield Utd 2.30.

Hastings & District FA Junior Cup, 1st round (2.30): Bexhill AAC v Mountfield Utd; Hollington Utd II v Pebsham Sibex; Old Hastonians v Battle Baptists II; Sandhurst v Catsfield; JC Tackleway v Crowhurst.

Hastings & District FA Lower Divisions Cup, 1st round (2.30): AFC St Leonards v Orington; Mayfield v Icklesham Casuals II; St Leonards Social II v Bexhill AAC II; Westfield III v Sedlescombe Rangers II; Wittersham II v Peasmarsh Utd.

Robertsbridge Junior Cup, 1st round: Ninfield Utd II v Hooe Sports 2.30.