Sussex hopes on the line – who of the Sports, Rebels, Hillians, Hawks and Robins can find win they crave?

I am 'all in' cheering on every Sussex club at steps two, three and four as they chase their dreams and goals.

This Saturday sees four key battlegrounds where victories would go a long way to aiding those Sussex dreams and will give all connections a huge shot in the arm.

In this preview, we take you to Somerset, Hertfordshire, East Brighton and Mid Sussex.

Rock on Tommy! Borough go to WSM

A rainy evening in Eastbourne on Tuesday was illuminated by a spellbinding performance from National South relegation candidates Eastbourne Borough. The players put in a wonderful shift to beat Maidstone 3-1.

Manager Tommy Widdrington kept his emotions in complete check after the game saying: “We are not going cookahoop over this one, but we are delighted!”

The veteran campaigner will know that it's just one win and there is a huge amount of work to do. His team and an army of fans have to make the long journey west to play Western-super-Mare on Saturday and are still five points from safety.

The hosts are flying this season currently occupying a comfortable place in the play-off zone. Weston will be targeting a home win.

Given their perilous National South position, Borough will now need to make the most of every opportunity. Can Tommy galvanise a much-needed follow-up win?

Worthing don’t like 2026: Adam needs to rediscover Rebels’ title vibe at Hemel

Worthing FC are the most forward thinking and on-track Sussex non-league club who have realistic dreams of competing in the National League Pemier next season.

Under firm fans’ favourite Adam Hinchelwood, the club were top of the tree and flying in late December. However, a poor start to 2026 has seen a winless streak and drop into the dreaded play-off positions.

They now travel to Hemel Hempstead, who are having a great season and are looking for a play-off spot themselves. It's going to take a huge collective effort from all Rebel connections to get their title dreams back on track. A win in Hertfordshire would be the perfect title-boosting tonic.

Hawks Host Hillians: Enclosed battle for Isthmian play-off places

Our four Isthmian Premier teams have all done themselves proud this season. Both Lewes and Chichester seem to be just off play-off discussion but will concentrate on finishing strongly.

However, for Whitehawk and Burgess Hill the play-offs remain in sharp focus. It's perhaps fitting that both clubs come together this weekend.

Hawks chief Shaun Saunders is a veteran boss with a rich history of success here in Sussex. Hill managers Jay Lovett and Gary Mansell are guiding BHT to the next chapter.

Both clubs have huge mutual respect for each other but for 90 minutes this encounter will see no prisoners taken.

The victors will have taken a big step towards Isthmian premier play-off contention.

Can Robins Dig in Against Erith? Six-pointer in Isthmian SE

Our latest success story, Hassocks FC, have been the talk of Mid Sussex having won the 2024-25 County League. Under the popular and legendary chairman Pat Harding the club are opening up their doors to new ideas and facilities and attracting a wealth of new fans as gates increase.

The Robins took five early Isthmian South East wins to put themselves into eighth place. However, the realities of a tough league have hit hard.

They go into a bruising encounter with the experienced and battle-hardened Erith Town in the relegation zone with the Dockers just one place above. The Beacon is going to have to gird its loins for this one.

I am excited to be taking the Bowman on the Road column with Worthing FC to Hemel – it represents a new ground for me and should be an exciting day out.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend but a huge shout out to Worthing, Borough, Hill, Hawks and Hassocks.

Go Sussex!