Russell: Bexhill chances minimal

Chris Topp’s side is 11 points off second place and realistically must win at home to Worthing tomorrow (Saturday) to stand any chance of an instant return to the Premier Division.

Bexhill slipped a place to third when their remarkable six-match winning streak came to an end with defeat away to fourth-placed Goring By Sea and rivals Glynde & Beddingham thrashed Ifield last weekend.

For Bexhill to repeat their runners-up finish of 2009, they need to beat leaders Worthing, who still need two points to make sure of the title, and hope that Glynde fail to win at home to fifth-placed Haywards Heath.

First team manager Hamish Russell said: “We’re strong and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got, but I would say our chances are minimal. We’re relying on Glynde dropping points. That’s not out of the question, but Glynde’s record over the last couple of weeks is good.”

Bexhill lost by four wickets in the reverse fixture against Worthing at the end of May, while Glynde won by 65 runs away to Haywards Heath a fortnight ago after amassing 291-1 batting first.

“We’re a good side and there’s no doubt in the world that we can beat them (Worthing),” added Russell, “but we have to play to the absolute maximum of our game. Hopefully Saturday will show that last week’s result was just a blip.”

Ian Ellis, Tom Powell and James Vaughan will come back into the equation, making for a tough selection. Play will get underway at 12noon.