TOWN CLOSE TO SAFETY

The Polegrove side know that a win at bottom-placed Uckfield Town tomorrow (Saturday) will be enough to preserve their County League status.

The return to the dug-out of caretaker manager Paul Elphick was instrumental to the success against Franklands after he missed both defeats over Easter. The Green Machine have now won four out of five games under his stewardship.

He said: "I was not happy with their attitude on the weekend I was away. I got them in the dressing room on Saturday and told them I have no stars in my side. They have to go out and work their socks off. Having said that, 11 players went out and played like stars. They completely outclassed a team fourth in the table and destroyed them for the 90 minutes.

"It's the same players that the other guy (ex-manager Gary Light) had, they just needed motivating. The one thing I can do is motivate people.

"The whole club is really bubbling at the moment. We have got a lot of players phoning up to be a part of things next year.

"Technically we need a point to be safe but I expect them to get six points from the final two games."

Bexhill will make an enforced change as Kris Kayne is out following an operation to remove his tonsils. His place at right-back is likely to be taken by Jamie Adams. Darren Payne could be on the bench.