HOCKEY: Worthing's title hopes suffer blow

Eastbourne moved back to the top, after a 2-2 draw at bottom-club Tunbridge Wells, but BBHC will be crowned champions if they win their remaining two games '“ the first of which is at Eastbourne on Saturday.

However, if that match finishes in a draw, Worthing will lift the title if they win at Folkestone on April 19.

Worthing midfielder and Saturday's goalscorer Chris Sciandro said: "The title is now BBHC's to lose. They have a game in hand but, hopefully, they will draw with Eastbourne on Saturday.

"It's very frustrating after a couple of great results that put ourselves in the frame, especially to lose against a team that, on paper, we should have beat comfortably."

Worthing started slowly and found themselves two goals down at half-time.

Despite having a couple of opportunities and hitting the post twice, Worthing were not clinical enough.

However, they started after the break far more aggressively with a period of sustained pressure and short corners which forced a number of excellent saves from Bordenians' goalkeeper.

With Worthing pushing forward, they were caught on the break and Old Bordenians netted again.

Sciandro pulled a goal back when he deflected in Dan Ginnaw's drive with eight minutes remaining.

Worthing were then offered another opportunity but Alex Warner hit the post with a penalty flick and they then spurned further chances.

Sciandro added: "For whatever reason, we just didn't turn up in the first half, and we could have defended the first two goals better.

"Our finishing was fairly poor. We had a number of chances but just weren't clinical enough.

"There are now three different ways of how we can still win it but, hopefully, this weekend we'll have some good news that Eastbourne and BBHC have drawn '“ then all we need to do is win against Folkestone."

WORTHING: Jones, Shepherd, Godber, Williams, Beales, Warner, Massie, Sciandro, Burriss, Ginnaw, Sawyer. Subs: Ansell, Atkinson, Clayton.

Penguin's Division 1 season drew to a close on Saturday with a sixth-placed finish already secured.

They were unable to end the season with a win, though, and lost 5-4 at home to bottom-club Bexley Invicta.

Rupert Ireland netted two '“ one a bullet shot that went in off the bar, and a penalty flick.

Captain Dave Matthews bagged another brace as Penguin twice came from behind to draw level, but Bexley netted a winner two minutes from time.

Penguin team manager Robin Melvin said: "We had some very good performances with a young side this season.

"We're looking for more consistency and discipline to close out games we should win, and hold on to draws that we've earned. But that will come as the younger team members get more experience.

"It's been a big squad effort this year, where I've had to call on at least 22 different players to pull on a shirt for the first team.

"And each of the club's four goalkeepers have had to play for the first team at some point this year.

"We've managed to get 58 goals, which is a great scoring record '“ thanks in particular to captain and centre forward Dave Matthews for most of them.

"We'll, hopefully, tighten our defensive record next year."

Penguin's other teams have also fared well this year with all four finishing in the top halves of their leagues.

And the third team secured promotion from Sussex League Division 3 without losing a match.

With veteran captain, Dave Willis, still playing superbly, he and vice-captain Dave James have run the third side as a youth team. And there are signs of good things to come from the excellent youngsters Tom Pocock, Alex Cox, Luke Munro and Jamie Bowley.

Anyone interested in playing for Penguin next year can contact Robin Melvin on 01903 603042.

Ninth-placed Southwick lost their home match against Gillingham Anchorians 3-2, and now have one remaining fixture on April 18 against Burnt Ash.

Littlehampton ended their Sussex League Division 1 season in eighth place after a disappointing 6-2 defeat at Mid-Sussex.

Mid-Sussex went ahead in the first minute and were soon 2-0 in front. Stuart Sexton pulled a goal back after an excellent individual run but Mid-Sussex were 3-1 up by half-time.

Jon Miles went close to pulling a goal back three times before Mid-Sussex netted twice more.

Dave Clark tapped home after James Macdonald's shot was saved to make it 5-2 but Mid-Sussex still added a sixth.

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