SOUTHWICK AVOID THE DROP

SOUTHWICK Football Club have secured County League Division 1 status for another season after a tense final day on Saturday. At half-time, news filtered around Old Barn Way that Worthing United were 3-1 up and East Grinstead were 2-0 ahead. Had results stayed that way, Southwick were down even with a win.

This, however, did not stop Wickers from scoring two absolute screamers inside the first six minutes of the second half to all but kill off their game. All they relied on now was results changing for the better in the other matches.

Sidlesham equalised against East Grinstead (2-2) to take Southwick out of the relegation zone but there was still 22 minutes to go.

Grinstead, though, had a excellent chance to go back infront when they were awarded a 70th minute penalty. Dave Gellatly blasted the spot-kick well over the bar, thankfully for Wickers. Sidlesham then went 3-2 up '” all their goals being scored by Jimmy Steward '” before Grinstead netted an equaliser in injury-time.

Worthing United ended up 4-2 victors so Wickers end the season fourth bottom.

For full Southwick match report and pictures, see this week's Shoreham Herald.