Common to play home match at Worthing

The 3G pitch at Worthing FC where Little Common will host Sidlesham on Saturday

Common’s game at home to Sidlesham this coming Saturday will take place on the artificial 3G surface at Worthing FC as a result of problems with the Little Common Recreation Ground pitch.

“It’s going to be at an expense to us, but at this time we’re prepared to do that to play a game of football and get ourselves back on track,” said Common player-manager Russell Eldridge, speaking at Wednesday lunchtime.

“There’s nothing this way in terms of 3G pitches suitable to play (matches) on so we’re going to have to travel over an hour to play a home game. It’s not something we’re going to do on a regular basis, but we’re trying our best to get a game of football. The league have okayed it and Sidlesham are obviously happy too.

“If it was going to be dry for the rest of the week I think we would’ve been okay, but with heavy rain forecast for tomorrow we would have no chance.”

Common haven’t played a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One match since the festive derby away to Bexhill United way back on Monday December 28.

Common’s next two matches after tomorrow are away from home so their next home fixture won’t be for at least another fortnight.

Common’s latest postponement came on Tuesday when the scheduled visit from Langney Wanderers was called-off after the pitch failed a second inspection having passed an initial check.

“The rest of the pitch is okay and playable; there’s just two areas - about 30x30 in total - where the mud goes over your ankles, and it’s unsafe,” said manager Russell Eldridge, who added that a specialist was going to assess the problem on Wednesday.

“It doesn’t seem to be drying so we’re not sure if there’s a drain blocked underneath. We’re trying to be proactive and get it sorted, but we’re not having enough consistently dry weather for it to dry out.”

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