Sidley in dark over floodlights

The Blues may well have to postpone the game with Eastbourne United Association on Tuesday January 23 because their lux certificate has still not been renewed.

Honorary secretary Roy Maplesden said: "It's likely to be off. Because we don't have the lux certificate, we also don't have any public liability (insurance) with regard to the players. So it's there to protect us."

The club had to call-off the lux test due to high winds and rain for the second successive week on Wednesday.

Sidley now hope to conduct the examination on Monday, but that could be too close to the fixture for the certificate to be sanctioned by the Sussex County League.

The situation was first highlighted in Observer Sport before Christmas and United have had to search as far as Wales to find somebody with the necessary qualifications to perform the assessment.

Sidley had to call off the clash with Crowborough Athletic for the same reason on January 2.

There should be no such problems on SaturdayJanuary 20, however, when Sidley make the lengthy trek to the far side of the county to take on a Selsey side which hasn't won any of its last four league games stretching back to November 7.

Peter Baker will return after being unavailable last weekend, but captain Jimmy Watson misses out through holiday. Kick-off for the Eastbourne UA encounter is at 7.45pm. To find out the latest developments contact the club newsline on 221126.

The scheduled trip to Hassocks on Tuesday evening was the latest to be postponed as a result of a waterlogged pitch.

Bexhill United have been boosted by the news that Dave Carey will be around for a while longer after a change to the dates of his suspension.

The in-form striker was due to start his whopping 142-day ban on Monday, but the Sussex County FA has re-issued the dates as a result of some missing paperwork.

Carey will now start his sentence on February 19 and it will run through to October 28, meaning he will be available for a key game tomorrow.

Richard Anderson, who is suspended until early next month, is just about the only absentee for second-bottom Bexhill's trip to third-bottom Uckfield Town in Division Three.

Little Common will be gunning for yet more cup success against the locality's flagship club tomorrow.

The Commoners have won seven of their eight ties in knockout competition this season, but will have to raise their game for the short journey to Hastings United reserves.

Adie Kettyles (back) is doubtful and Lewis Hole may have work commitments, but Tim Bigg is back from suspension for the Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup quarter-final, kick-off 3pm.