Rye & Westfield games off already

Bexhill United will be hoping their pitch dries out in time for the Boxing Day derby at home to Little Common. Picture by Simon Newstead

Rye United’s trip to Crowborough Athletic in Sussex County Football League Division One and Westfield’s visit from Division Two leaders Eastbourne United AFC were called-off late on Christmas Eve due to waterlogged pitches following all the recent rain.

Hastings United’s game at Ramsgate in Ryman Football League Division One South (kick-off 3pm) and the Sussex Division Two derby between Bexhill United and Little Common (kick-off 11am) are still on as things stand.

Although more heavy rain fell last night, the forecast promises better weather for today and tomorrow. For updates on whether the remaining two games are on or off, return to this website tomorrow morning.

Despite the unusually long trip for the day after Christmas, Hastings will be desperate to start playing again after Saturday’s match at home to Chipstead was postponed and the previous Monday’s visit from Walton & Hersham was controversially abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.

The U’s have dropped to fourth as a result of their inactivity, but have games in hand on all of the teams above them and trail leaders Peacehaven & Telscombe by two points having played one match fewer.

United beat eighth-placed Ramsgate in the first two games after the appointment of John Maggs as manager at the end of August. They came from behind to win the reverse league fixture 3-1 and triumphed 1-0 in an FA Cup tie between the two clubs five days later.

Four games have already been postponed elsewhere in the Sussex County League at Hailsham Town and St Francis Rangers in Division One, and Haywards Heath Town and Saltdean United in Division Two.