Confident Common target more Vase success

Following their extra-time victory over Erith Town in first round qualifying a fortnight ago, Common will be eyeing another higher level scalp as they host Wick in second round qualifying. Kick-off at the Recreation Ground is 3pm.

Common are third in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One with 14 points from seven games, while Wick are 16th in the Premier Division with six points from seven so an intriguing contest lies in prospect.

“It’s a big game and a big prize to get into the first round proper for us in only our second season in the Vase,” said Common player-manager Russell Eldridge.

“The group is confident, and the spirit and atmosphere are good as well. Everyone’s buzzing and really looking forward to the next game.”

Common are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, during which time they’ve scored 20 goals and won five times.

“We’ve lost two games all season, which is no mean feat,” continued Eldridge. “We’re a match for anyone on our day and everything seems to be going well at the moment, but we know we can never take anything for granted.”

Wick had lost four in a row prior to beating Premier Division basement boys Hailsham Town last weekend, but their manager resigned this week.

“How much of an impact that has we will have to wait and see,” added Eldridge. “We’ve got a nice home draw against a team that’s not doing particularly well in the league and we’ve got to take advantage of that.”

Dave Ammoun and Jamie Crone are set to return, but Dan Cruikshank is away as Common seek a third victory over higher level opposition in 15 days.

Bexhill United, meanwhile, have two Division One home games in four days. Eighth-placed Steyning Town will travel to The Polegrove tomorrow before 12th-placed Seaford Town provide the opposition on Tuesday night.

“I think Steyning will be a really tough test for us,” said Bexhill joint manager Ryan Light. “They’ve had some good results of late and they sit with us in the league, but we believe we’re good enough to compete with anyone in our division and we’ll go in with a positive attitude.”

Bexhill are sixth in the table with 13 points from seven matches - a decent return given that six of them have been away from home.

“I would’ve taken that at the start of the season,” continued Light. “I think it’s exactly where we would like to be. We just want to get ourselves nestled in behind that top pack.

“We’re still finding our feet and we know there’s better to come from us. It will be how we finish the season rather than how we start it, but we’re delighted with the points we’ve got so far.

“It’s still a little bit of a false table at the moment because we’ve played all away and some teams have played all at home.”

Gordon Cuddington will be back from holiday and Bexhill will be hoping several of their knocks clear up. Corey Wheeler is on holiday and Wayne Giles is suspended.

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