Local rivals set to lock horns

Westfield and Bexhill United get up close and personal during the corresponding fixture last season, which ended in a goalless draw

Local pride and three Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two points will be up for grabs at The Parish Field. Kick-off is 2pm.

Westfield manager Jethro Warren said: “First and foremost it will be a battle. It might not be the prettiest football game, but it will be entertaining in other ways no doubt. I’m expecting it to be close, but hopefully we can just edge it.”

Third-placed Bexhill are nine positions and 13 points above Westfield, but the teams fought out a 1-1 draw in September’s reverse fixture at The Polegrove.

“We played Westfield at home and Westfield were better than us,” admitted Bexhill manager Marc Munday. “I felt they were physically stronger than us in the last game.

“I rate Westfield as a side and I like what Jethro (Warren, Westfield manager) is doing there. Hopefully we can match them and come out on top. We’re definitely good enough to beat them, but it depends what happens on the day.”

In contrast to last weekend’s game at Midhurst & Easebourne, Westfield are expecting availability to be good. Ross Williams and Tom Archer are set to return, although Matt Dadswell is sill away.

As for Bexhill, Yankuba Camara and Scott McDonald are away, while Jack Aston is struggling with a badly swollen ankle. Anthony Cooper is back from injury and one-time Brentford goalkeeper Clark Masters may well deputise for Camara in goal.

Little Common, meanwhile, will be targeting back-to-back league wins for the first time since September when they host AFC Uckfield Town in the same division. Kick-off at the Recreation Ground is 3pm.

Last weekend’s single goal success away to Seaford Town has moved Common up to sixth, five points and four places below Uckfield. Zack McEniry is suspended and Paul Feakins is doubtful with shin splints, but Jake Sherwood is set to return.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Whitstable Town v Hastings Utd.

Macron Store Sussex County League, Division 2: Little Common v AFC Uckfield Town; Westfield v Bexhill Utd 2.

Reserve Section (East): Bexhill Utd v Lingfield; Burgess Hill & Hurst Albion v Westfield 2; Seaford Town v Little Common.

Macron East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Robertsbridge Utd v Peche Hill Select.

Division 1: Icklesham Casuals v Hawkhurst Utd; Sandhurst v Sidley Utd; Ticehurst v Little Chelsea.

Division 2: Crowhurst v JC Tackleway; Herstmonceux v Pebsham Sibex; Old Hastonians v Northiam 75.

Division 3: Hooe Sports v Ninfield Utd II; Visick v Hastings Rangers.

Division 4: Bexhill Utd III v Bexhill Rovers; Conquest Utd v Burwash; Peasmarsh Utd v St Leonards Social II.

Division 5: Magham Down v Sedlescombe Rangers II; JC Tackleway II v Battle Baptists II; Wittersham II v AFC St Leonards.

Division 6: FC Westridge v Sedlescombe Rangers III; Hampden Park Utd v Battle Baptists III; Hawkhurst Utd II v Sandhurst II; Orington v Robertsbridge Utd II; Punnetts Town II v Icklesham Casuals II.

Birchwood Group Challenge Cup quarter-finals (1.30): Battle Baptists v Ore Athletic; Hollington Utd v Sedlescombe Rangers; Ninfield Utd v Rock-a-Nore; St Leonards Social v Iden.

Wisdens Sports Challenge Cup quarter-finals (1.30): Bexhill AAC v Mountfield Utd; Eastbourne Rangers v Wittersham; Wadhurst Utd v Hollington Utd II.

Little Marabou Challenge Cup (1.30), 2nd round: Westfield III v AFC Hastings. Quarter-finals: Bexhill-On-Sea v Sovereign Saints; Eastbourne Athletic v West Hill Utd; Peche Hill Select II v Little Common III.