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(This article was first published in the Worthing FC Programme in the 2002-2003 season)
With no less than 3 home matches on the spin, the Flying Horseman turns his attentions to the “Parallelogram of Power” in a “league within a league within my head” special.
We’re now halfway through the Sussex mini-league season, with the results panning out as follows:
HFC 3 WFC 3
BRTFC 1 HFC 3
HFC 2 LFC 2
WFC 2 HFC 1
LFC 2 BRTFC 2
BRTFC 3 WFC 0
Leaving the table looking like this:
| Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD | |
| 1. Green Welly Brigade | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 5 | +1 |
| 2. Butlins Regis Town | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | +1 |
| 3. Sussex's Sleeping Giants | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 | -2 |
| 4. Lose | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Only Lewes have yet to beat a Sussex team, yet by the same token they are also the only unbeaten side – a product of only having played Sussex teams twice and drawing on each occasion (cheerfully enough, by conceding a last-minute equaliser each time). Aside from an April Fools’ Day visit to Woodside, Lewes last three derbies all fall in a hectic week in late May. I hope Jimmy’s renewed his Network card!
Bognor’s derby win last week was their first local derby success of the season, although as the form side who would bet against them finishing top of this little league? Michael Owen? Bognor host Lewes in their final home match of the season – could be a winner takes all situation (if Lewes can recover their form by then).
Horsham’s 3-1 stroll down in the Pagham suburbs has been their only Sussex success so far, and proved unable to beat the Rebels after a 3-3 draw at Queen Street and a shock 2-1 defeat at Woodside. This is the only derby clash double to have been completed to date, although this will change tonight as Hornets host the Chalet Dwellers. A last-minute equaliser in the mid-Sussex derby on Boxing Day saw Horsham deservedly grab a last-minute equaliser against the Witches of Eastwick.
And as for the mighty Rebels? Well, up to last week, a serious of determined performances, including a fantastic 2-0 Sussex Senior Cup win at the Dripping Pan, saw Worthing consistently up the ante against more in-form opposition to turn a in series of above-par performances. A cavalier display at Queen Street saw Rebels share the points in a 3-3 thriller with ‘sham, followed up by a magnificent 2-1 win at Woodside. However, if last week’s coastal-derby with our stumpy-piered neighbours had been a boxing match (go with me on this one – I’ll admit it would be a bit of a catch weight contest), then the referee would have stopped it at half-time.
So, who will be top cat in the battle of Sussex? One look at the table confirms it is all wide-open at the moment, and after all, (cliché time!) the formbook goes out the window in local derbies!
The following matches still have to be played: HFC v BRTFC 22/03/03; WFC v LFC 1/4/03; WFC v BRTFC 21/04/03; LFC v HFC 21/04/03; LFC v WFC 23/04/03; BRTFC v LFC 26/04/03
7th Feb 2004