Gaskin sets sights on a top-six finish

Golds, who won the league last season, are ninth in the table but trail sixth-placed Chichester City by just six points with two games in hand.

Gaskin’s side lost seven of their opening nine league matches and it looked as though a relegation scrap could be in store.

However, since that seventh loss, Golds have taken 28 points from a possible 33 in the league to move up the table and away from danger.

Gaskin is now looking up and believes his side have what it takes to end the campaign in the top six.

He said: “It was not an ideal start, having lost seven of our first nine league games. For me, in my first role in management, I was finding it very tricky.

“But fortunately we started to pick up results and have lost just once in 11 matches since that poor run.

“The aim for us is to finish above the other Arun clubs.

“Obviously, Chichester City have picked up and Pagham are a good side but we will be looking to finish ahead of those sides.”

Golds lost striker George Landais last month to Ryman League side Lewes, after he had netted 69 times in just a season and a half at Littlehampton, with 29 of those goals this season.

Gaskin admitted he is looking for a couple of new faces in order to bolster the squad as they enter the second half of the season.

He added: “Losing George was a massive loss for us and he is going to be tough to replace.

“But I’ve been looking at a couple of players and I’m hoping to bring them in at some point.”

Golds were due to kick off 2016 with a home clash with Worthing United on Saturday but that was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.

Littlehampton are set to host title favourites Horsham on Saturday.

With three of Golds’ title-winning team from last term, in Joe Shelley, Darren Boswell and Kieron Pamment, all plying their trade with the Hornets now, Gaskin believes a win would be the best way to start the new year.

He said: “I feel that they are the best team in this division and everyone has been backing them to win the league.

“It’s obviously quite tight at the top at this minute. I think everyone that plays them wants to beat them and we will be no different.

“Obviously, three of their team were playing with us last year, so we know them well and all of the team will be hoping to come away with a win from Saturday’s game.”

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