Mission accomplished as Loxwood FC are promoted

Tom Lyons is Loxwood's top scorer but fellow strikers Dean Wright, Mark Cave and Tim Martin have all weighed in with crucial goals

Haywards Heath’s 1-1 draw with Westfield means the Magpies are guaranteed to finish in the top three in Division Two in what has been a fantastic season.

Having set his side the challenge of promotion before a ball had even been kicked, manager Dave Cocoracchio was delighted with his players for achieving their objective with four league matches still to play.

He said: “It’s a fantastic feeling and reward for all the great people at this football club, especially the players.

“We are a small football club who were playing in Division Five of the West Sussex Football League not so long ago and this is another chapter in what has been a wonderful journey.”

Cocoracchio pointed to an incredible 13-game unbeaten run which saw them take 35 from 39 possible points as the catalyst to their success.

The side are also the top scorers across the whole of the County League with 91 goals and counting so far, and Cocoracchio heaped praise on his four “high quality” forwards Tom Lyons, Dean Wright, Mark Cave and Tim Martin for pushing each other all season.

And the club’s campaign could get even better. Broadbridge Heath and Eastbourne United AFC - Loxwood’s two rivals for the title - drew 2-2 last night, leaving Cocoracchio’s side just a point off the top, albeit having played a game more than leaders Eastbourne.

And next week they play favourites Eastbourne in the semi-final of the Division 2 Cup, meaning a potential double is still on.

“It’s been an incredible season but there’s still plenty to play for. Finishing with some silverware would be the icing on the cake,” Cocoracchio added.