Match Preview

Hopefully, the weather will play ball this time and the game will go ahead.
This fixture sees our hosts occupying 11th place in the table (27 games, 39 points) after the weekend games, whilst they were beating Midhurst & Easebourne at home 4-1, we, of course, were drawing 1-1 away at AFC Varndeanians in dramatic circumstances. That result meant that we stayed 3rd in the table (29 games, 64 points) so some will think we should get all three points in this game, but Saturday proved that you can create many chances in a match, if you don’t take them though, you will not win the game.

They have played less league games than anyone else, even us, so perhaps their league position is a bit false and maybe they should be a couple of places higher in the table, especially when you consider they have scored the exact same number of league goals as us, 61, but they have let in 45 whereas we have only conceded 29, let’s hope that figure is still the same following this game.

Their nickname is The Anvils and I have tried looking up why that might be, did they play on a pitch that used to occupy, or be next to an old Forge maybe, however all I could find out was the following comment, “their unique nickname reflects the team’s strength, resilience and determination to succeed”. Now that might be correct or it might not, all I can say is that we know why we are the “Crows”, although there maybe an obscure reason laying around somewhere which puts the obvious reason in to doubt.

This fixture is one of our games in hand on both the clubs above us, Steyning Town and Newhaven, as well as the club in fourth place, Hassocks as they do not play again until next Tuesday, 19th March in Newhaven’s case when they are away at Lingfield and on the same night Hassocks are away at Midhurst & Easebourne. We are at home to Little Common in the league on the same Tuesday. None of the top for are playing this coming Saturday, 16th March.

The Crows know that having dropped points on Saturday, they cannot drop too many more if the games in hand we have are to count for anything, so whilst this game doesn’t quite yet fall in to the “must win” category, to win the game and take the three points home with us would be nice. Points on the board are always preferable to the games in hand but whilst we have them, we must take the full advantage over our rivals.

Our hosts though did finish in second place in the table for season 2022/23, but missed out on going back to a division they last played in for the 2013/14 season, as they lost 2-0 against Sutton Common Rovers from the Isthmian League in the Inter-step promotion and relegation battle and therefore, remained in the SCFL Premier Division for 2023/24.

It will not be an easy game for either side and you never know you turning up to support the Crows just might be the lift the players need to go on and get the three points, so if you can make it, please do. Come on you Crows!