Sussex World's Matt Pole is joined by Brighton & Hove Albion writer Derren Howard, Crawley Town expert Mark Dunford, and Steve Bone. They look at Brighton's win over Wolves, their game against West Ham and what business we can expect before Transfer Deadline Day. Mark looks at Crawley Town's games against Gillingham and Swindon as well as the death threats against a former player. Steve looks at the Non League scene as well as Sussex Cricket Club's One Day Cup campaign and the local cricket leagues
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00:00 Welcome to another episode of Sussex Sport Weekly podcast. I'm Matt Poul and this week I'm joined by Brighton and Hove Albion writer Darren Howard,
00:08 Corrie Town expert Mark Dunford and Steve Bone who covers all things sport in Sussex through our newspapers and online at sussexworld.co.uk.
00:15 Brighton continued their stunning start to the Premier League season with a ruthless 4-1 win at Wolves on Saturday.
00:20 Albion sit at the summit of the Premier League after two games but their credentials will be severely put to the test this Saturday
00:25 against the West Ham side who got the better of big spending Chelsea last weekend.
00:29 We'll look ahead to the Seagulls clash with the Seagulls and we'll bring you all the latest from Crawley Town,
00:34 the non-league football scene in Sussex, the Sussex Sharks' one-day cup campaign and the Sussex Cricket League.
00:39 But going back to last weekend, a stunning solo goal from Caro Matoma and a second half double from Solly March
00:45 helped Brighton coast to victory over 10 man Wolves of Manning.
00:48 It follows Albion's excellent 4-1 home win over newly promoted Luton Town on the opening day
00:52 and I don't think even the most optimistic of Seagulls fan Darren probably would have predicted this start for Brighton.
00:57 Just how good have they been over these past two games?
01:00 It's been a really good start. The bigger tests are still to come I think for De Serby's team.
01:07 But you really can't argue with the start. Two very good performances creating plenty of chances.
01:14 They could have taken more really. They've got eight goals from two games so far.
01:19 De Serby will look at that and think that they maybe could even be in double figures from those two games.
01:26 I think what pleased him the most is that he made three changes to the team that faced Luton Town on the opening day of the season.
01:37 So, Nsiso came in, Adam Webster came back in as well and then Billy Gilmore came into the centre of midfield.
01:45 It's three key changes and it really looked seamless still.
01:51 It just carried on from where they left off. The style of play was the same. The creating of chances was the same.
01:58 I think that's what's going to bode well for the season.
02:02 Last season they were just rolling the same team out time and time again because they had limited options.
02:09 But now De Serby does have those options. They're looking to add another midfielder as well before the transfer window closes.
02:16 So, in that respect, it looks really good. Top of the league, six points in the bag.
02:23 And also, just to add as well, that Matoma and Estupinjan Link on that left-hand flank looks really good this season as well.
02:32 Matoma's goal against Wolves is one of the best I've seen for a long while.
02:38 Individual efforts, it was a cracker. So, yeah, brilliant start. Brilliant start.
02:44 Well, maybe I haven't mentioned that, Darren, but one man who has Sean for Brighton in his opening game is Solly March.
02:49 The 29-year-old now has four goals in two games and put on a stunning display at Mononu in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate.
02:55 I think it's safe to say March has been a huge beneficiary of De Serby working under a boat of De Serby.
03:00 But how has he improved his game? And do you think a three lines call isn't out of the question after he starts the season?
03:06 I think he's certainly getting to that point now.
03:09 He's been producing these performances over a sustained period now since De Serby has joined.
03:14 I think that consistency will help him to get into to push for Gareth Southgate's team.
03:22 And it's just been, I think we touched on it last week, it's just what he's done under De Serby and how De Serby has improved him as a player.
03:30 It has been one of the success stories of De Serby's time there. I think it's been brilliant.
03:39 Before, Solly March was always a good player. He was a real solid professional player who you could rely on.
03:45 But De Serby is taking him to another level now. He's getting him into the positions on the pitch where he can really impact games.
03:52 His finishing is so much more clinical now as well. He looks confident in front of goal.
03:58 And that's the main thing. He's set him a target of 15 goals this season.
04:04 And he certainly wouldn't put it past him if he continues to get into these positions as well.
04:09 He perhaps doesn't catch the eye when you're looking at attacking talent in the Premier League.
04:15 He doesn't catch the eye of someone like a Rashford or Mo Salah or someone who's got this blistering pace.
04:21 But he's technically so good and he's just improving all the time as well.
04:28 So I think if he keeps going, he's going to become too good to ignore for Southgate.
04:33 And he's going to force his way into that national set-up.
04:39 Do you think his chances are boosted by the fact that Brighton are now seen as quite trendy and quite fashionable?
04:45 I think it's certainly helped. Brighton's profile has really, really increased in the last few months.
04:53 Qualification and playing into the Europa League and playing European football as well will certainly help his cause.
04:59 But while Brighton are competing at that top end of the table, then I think him and a few other players,
05:07 if they have a consistent season, will come into the England picture as well.
05:11 Lewis Dunk should be within there as well.
05:16 And then perhaps Adam Webster, if he can have a run of games, he could get back into the conversation again.
05:22 But then you're also looking away from the England set-up as well, like Jal Pedro as well.
05:26 Like De Serby said, look, you should be pushing for the national team as well.
05:30 So there's a lot of players there, Billy Gilmore as well, who really want to establish themselves in the Brighton team,
05:36 which in turn would help boost their national chances.
05:39 Well, on the transfer fund, you mentioned it there, Albina reportedly close to sealing a move for Lille midfielder Carlos Belaver.
05:45 The Seagulls are reportedly on the verge of completing a £25.6 million deal for the 19-year-old Cameroonian.
05:50 Can you tell us a bit about Belaver, please, Darren? And is he viewed as the Cubs' playstrip for Moises Caicedo?
05:56 He is. So he's only young. He's 19 years old and he's really impressed in League One with Lille.
06:06 He's that sort of player that can offer the protection to the back line as well.
06:11 He's comfortable on the ball, good in position, and he can take the ball from the defenders,
06:17 from the goalkeeper and turn in those sort of congested areas and get the attacks going forward.
06:24 So, yeah, it looks as though Brighton had agreed a fee with Lille for him, but it seems to have stalled a bit.
06:31 I think the progress has slowed down. His manager, Paolo Fonseca, this week or yesterday said that he knows there's a possibility that he will leave.
06:41 But they've got a European Conference qualifier to play and he fully expects Belaver to be in his team for that.
06:50 He said he's fully focused on that, but he still thinks the deal can be done. It has gone a bit quiet.
06:56 Brighton tend to do their business, they like to sign their players before they sell.
07:03 Now every club is going to be squeezing Brighton for an extra few pence because they know they've got this Corsedo money in the bank.
07:10 So I think that may have slowed down the progress of this transfer. It has gone a bit quiet.
07:17 They've since been linked with a player from Arsenal as well who can perhaps come in.
07:24 But yeah, we'll hope to see. We've still got another week or so left of the transfer window,
07:29 but it's an area that Brighton are actively looking to add to their team.
07:36 Deserby want a Caicedo type replacement before the window closes.
07:42 Speaking of Caicedo, the Ecuadorian and his former Albion teammate Robert Sanchez enjoyed a torrid time against Brighton's forthcoming opponents West Ham last weekend with the new club Chelsea.
07:51 The Hammers claimed a 3-1 home win over the Blues despite playing over half an hour with 10 men.
07:55 Caicedo came off the bench to make his Chelsea debut and made an immediate impact, but probably not the impact he wanted,
08:00 conceding a penalty in second half stoppage time, which was duly dispatched.
08:04 I'm sure a lot of Albion supporters are probably feeling very sorry for Caicedo after his debut.
08:08 But anyway, the Hammers will no doubt be buoyed by the result against the Blues there.
08:12 So who are the West Ham danger men Albion should be wary of?
08:15 And are you predicting a sterner test or the sternest test so far for Brighton?
08:20 Yeah, it will be. It will be. I thought West Ham have had a good start to the season.
08:24 They've carried on from there. They had a poor campaign last year in the Premier League,
08:28 but winning the Europa Conference League seems to have installed a lot of confidence into the players.
08:34 And they've started the season well. They look very strong.
08:39 They obviously lost Declan Rice, but I think James Ward-Prouse has been a really, really good signing for West Ham.
08:46 He's come into the midfield and some of his deliveries from set pieces against Chelsea,
08:51 from whether it's a corner, free kick, he's just on the money every time.
08:55 And I think that's something Brighton will have to be very wary of.
08:59 He's a player that I'd love to have seen Brighton actually go for this summer.
09:04 But Brighton don't spend 30 million plus on 28 year olds. So, you know, it's one of those.
09:11 I know West Ham, I think he's going to be a really good player for West Ham this season.
09:15 And he's a player that Brighton are going to have to watch out for.
09:18 Antonio, he also looked a real handful up front as well. He looked back to his best.
09:24 He plays in that lone attacking role. And when he's good, he's very good.
09:31 And I think he's going to cause a lot of trouble for Lewis Dunk and if it's Adam Webster playing as well.
09:37 I think they've got their work cut out to look after him.
09:41 And Lucas Paqueta as well. He's obviously been linked with this move to Manchester City
09:47 and he's had his trouble with these betting allegations as well.
09:50 But he played against Chelsea as though he had a real point to prove.
09:54 And I think he looks a man on a mission at the moment as well.
09:58 So I think there's still possibilities that move to Manchester City could still go ahead
10:03 if he gets cleared from these FA betting charges.
10:08 And that's a big if at the moment. But yeah, he looks a player that's very technically very good.
10:15 And the way he links up with Ward-Prouse and that Antonio combination as well.
10:20 Very good. Yeah, I think it'll be a tough test for Brighton,
10:24 but they're going to be full of confidence going into this one again.
10:28 Finally, before we move on to Croydon Town, Darren, very quickly,
10:31 how are they stacked on the injury front going into the game against West Ham?
10:34 So far so good. They've had a blow in midweek with Julio Enciso.
10:41 He's apparently pulled up with a knee injury in training, a reported meniscus tear.
10:48 But we're waiting for confirmation on the club as to how serious it is.
10:52 We'll probably find out more in a press conference on Friday.
10:56 But that's going to be a blow for Brighton. He was really good against Wolves.
11:01 Some of the other players may have took the headlines, but Deserby was quick to say
11:05 after the game that he thought Enciso was the best player on the pitch at Wolves.
11:10 So, yeah, it will be a blow for him because this was going to be his breakthrough season in the Premier League.
11:16 He showed glimpses of his talent last season. He's now sort of established.
11:22 He knows how it all works at Brighton and this was going to be a big year for him.
11:26 So if there is an injury to him, that's a blow. I think it will also have repercussions for Bornetti as well.
11:33 He was about to go out on loan with Leeds being linked with him.
11:37 But I think if Enciso is injured, I think you'll see Bornetti remain at the club this summer.
11:45 And then just another piece of transfer news as well. Young Irish player Andrew Moran.
11:50 He's probably going to go to Blackburn. He's an Ireland under-21 international.
11:56 Very good player. Was in and around the first team last season in the matchday squad.
12:00 Got on a couple of times in the Premier League.
12:03 But he looks as though he's going to seal a loan move to Blackburn Rovers.
12:08 And yeah, they've got a good player there if they get him for the season.
12:11 Well, hopefully he has the same sort of impact that Jan-Paul Van Heck had at Blackburn.
12:14 Because he didn't do badly, did he?
12:16 Yeah, he really established. He made his name at Blackburn.
12:20 I think he got player of the season there on his year on loan, Van Hecker.
12:25 So yeah, it just shows that have a good year and a championship.
12:30 And then it can really help set you up for a potential career and a new contract with Brighton.
12:37 Fingers crossed for him. Moving on to Crawley Town.
12:39 The Reds suffered their first loss of the League 2 campaign last Saturday.
12:42 Going down 1-0 at home to a Gilliam side that boasted former Reds favourites Ashley Nannesson, Tom Nicholls and Glenn Morris among their squad.
12:49 Harry Ransom owned goal concerned the Reds to their first home defeat in nearly six months.
12:53 But Crawley's frustrations were compounded by an early penalty miss from Dom Telford.
12:58 What's the reaction been to the defeat, Mark?
13:00 Looking at the stats, it seems as if the Reds should have at least got a point.
13:03 They battered him in terms of shots and possession and all those kind of things.
13:07 Yeah, it was disappointing, the result.
13:10 I wasn't actually there, but looking at all the reaction and that, yeah, Crawley battered them.
13:15 And by all accounts, that's what Gillingham have done in their first.
13:19 They've won every game 1-0 so far.
13:21 They're top of the league, scored 1-4, scored four goals, let in none and got 12 points.
13:28 But yeah, Crawley had 68% possession, 17 shots compared to Gillingham's nine, seven shots on target to Gillingham's three, nine corners compared to four.
13:37 So everything was up. But as Scott Lindsay said afterwards, the only stat that matters is the scoreline and it was 1-0.
13:43 So yeah, really disappointing.
13:45 Yeah, I mean, Dom Telford came in for a bitter stick from some Crawley fan thing.
13:50 Take him off penalty duty straight away.
13:52 He's playing a slightly different role this year.
13:54 He's dropped back.
13:56 They're sort of playing a four, I've got to work it out now, four, three, two, one.
14:01 So Telford and Darcy just behind Orsi, say that 10 times fast.
14:07 But yeah, I mean, when I saw him against MK Dons, he was involved in both goals, dropping back.
14:14 He's comfortable on the ball.
14:15 He lays off the ball well and that.
14:17 But ever since he comes to Crawley, what's sort of let him down is his lack of goals and his finishing.
14:23 And obviously that would have been the perfect chance for him to get a bit of confidence, get the ball in the back of the net.
14:29 Missed that penalty and fans are calling for someone different to take.
14:32 Nick Cerrulla took a penalty and scored in the preseason.
14:35 And Nick Cerrulla has been Crawley's best player so far, I would say.
14:40 So yeah, yeah, huge shame they lost.
14:43 But it is, I think Liam Kelly said after the game, it is literally only a bump in the road.
14:48 It's a game they should have won.
14:49 They showed that they can play against the top team.
14:52 And they proved that against Bradford and MK Dons as well and Salford.
14:57 So yeah, off to Swindon this weekend.
15:00 So yeah, but yeah, it was just a shame because it would have been great if they just kept on that unbeaten start,
15:05 even with a draw, unbeaten home run.
15:08 But yeah, they move on.
15:11 Yeah, Scott Lindsay is looking for a reaction now and I'm sure it will come from this team of players.
15:15 Yeah, well, I was going to mention the clash with Gillingham.
15:18 Unfortunately, suffered from some savoury moments both on and off the pitch.
15:22 The match ended controversially with Gilles' assistant, boss David Livermore,
15:25 receiving a yellow card after appearing to strike Crawley's Ronan Darcy in the face.
15:28 And in a separate incident, Crawley were forced to issue a statement following the game after they made aware of certain threats and abuse made to a former Reds player.
15:35 The fact that a former Crawley favourite has been subjected to this kind of abuse is shocking, isn't it, Mark?
15:40 Can you tell us a little bit more about these incidents, please?
15:43 Yeah, it's just very sad, really, and pathetic, to be honest.
15:47 I mean, Ashley Nadesan, everybody was like, oh, God, when he left, they were gutted he left kind of thing.
15:53 And then as soon as he comes back, him and the likes of Tom Nicholls and Glen Morris should all get a little bit of a heroes welcome.
15:59 They were all part of that team that beat Leeds United famously 3-0 in the FA Cup.
16:04 And he comes back and I believe there was some chat in the stands and just sort of mocking and that.
16:11 But then I've been sent screenshots of death threats he was sent.
16:15 I mean, it's a little keyboard, sad, coy keyboard warrior sent at home, obviously just doing it.
16:21 I mean, it doesn't matter if there's any intention behind it or not.
16:25 I didn't like they're going to act on it.
16:27 They're not. But it is just it's horrific.
16:30 And I mean, they're not the only ones.
16:32 It happens week in, week out with footballers, I'm sure, across the country, all at different levels as well.
16:38 But yeah, so Crawley Town are investigating it.
16:41 They should obviously put out a statement saying they strongly condemned it.
16:44 And yeah, any any individual, if they find out who it is and get hold of the individuals, they'll be banned from the club and that,
16:51 which is the least that should happen.
16:53 But this is the kind of thing that I think police should be involved with.
16:57 Yeah, just yeah, it's it's just so, so sad.
17:01 I mean, anyone who knows Ashley Madison, he put his heart and soul into Crawley Town.
17:05 Didn't have the best of seasons last year, but when him and Tom Nichols, Dom Telford and all that were on fire together,
17:12 it was great to watch. And yeah, he'll go down in history because he scored one of the goals against Leeds United in that game.
17:19 So and he is a homegrown boy. So when he comes back here, I mean, it just leaves such a sour taste.
17:25 I was going to say, Mark, does it make it doubly sad that the fact that he is a local boy?
17:29 Here's the definition of a local boy for Crawley, isn't he?
17:31 Absolutely. Yeah. And he's got a he's got a young family as well.
17:34 He got married. I think he got married last summer.
17:37 And that and yeah, and his family see those sort of messages and that as well.
17:43 It's it's just it's going to hurt him sort of thing.
17:46 And he's yeah. And it does. Next time he plays Crawley, he's probably going to get one over them.
17:51 Of course, just because because of the fans. And it's just yeah, it's just such a shame that.
17:55 Yeah, I mean, I'm not one of these people that sign up to players shouldn't celebrate when if they score or if they think.
18:02 I think, yeah, you play for a football team, you score, you should celebrate that.
18:06 But that doesn't mean that they deserve any abuse or anything or death threats or anything like that.
18:11 I don't think it's just just sad and pathetic.
18:13 And the sad thing is, it is someone sitting at home on their computer just getting really angry about football.
18:18 I mean, it's just it's just a game. Maybe I should care more.
18:22 But yeah, very, very sad. And it is quite disturbing, really.
18:26 Some of the messages that I saw the screenshot of were just horrific.
18:31 Terrible.
18:32 Not nice at all.
18:33 Well, hopefully you can get excited about this, Mark.
18:35 This weekend sees the Reds travel to Scott Lindsay's former club Swindon.
18:38 The Robins sit 13th in League Two with five points in three games.
18:41 How do you see this one going, Mark?
18:43 And how are the Reds stacked in terms of injuries for their trip to Wiltshire?
18:46 I'm guessing there probably won't be as much of a fiery reception for Scott Lindsay as there probably was last time, if there was one at all.
18:52 No, I don't think so at all, because Swindon have had an OK start.
18:55 They've, well, I think they haven't lost yet.
18:57 They've only played three games, one-one draw.
18:59 Obviously, they had that incredible game with Wrexham last weekend where they drew five-all.
19:05 But yeah, I think Scott Lindsay, I think it was good that he had that trip to Swindon at the end of last season, last game of last season.
19:12 So that breaks the ice kind of thing.
19:14 And he can go back now. And both sides have hopefully moved on.
19:19 Is it Michael Flynn at Swindon now? The Wolves' full manager.
19:22 Yeah. So, but I mean, the good thing is Scott Lindsay, he's talked about continuity and consistency.
19:29 And I think Kellan Gordon is probably still the only real injury doubt.
19:33 He's the only change that Scott Lindsay has made to the start in the league game this year.
19:40 He had a heavy picked up hamstring injury against MK Dottons.
19:44 So Adam Campbell came in for it on Saturday.
19:46 I can't imagine given how well Crawley performed on Saturday that there will be many changes.
19:52 But obviously, with Swindon scoring five, there's obviously a goal threat there.
19:56 I mean, Wrexham, they've yet to settle.
19:59 I mean, Wrexham, they've played four, scored 13, let in 13 in their first four games.
20:04 So I don't know how much we can read into how potent Swindon's attack are compared to how bad Wrexham's defence is.
20:11 But yeah, it'll be a tough game.
20:15 Swindon will obviously want to keep up their unbeaten run.
20:18 But Crawley will go there with no fear at all.
20:21 They are a team playing with confidence.
20:24 The only thing that is letting them down is their finishing.
20:28 And I asked Scott Lindsay about that last week or the week before and just said,
20:33 is that a concern that you're not scoring as many goals as you should do?
20:37 And he said his only concern would be when they're not creating as many chances as they are.
20:42 So I think he strongly believes that at some point it is going to click.
20:46 And who knows, there could be five this weekend at Swindon, Len, and another five.
20:50 Yeah, but it won't be an easy game.
20:52 But I expect Crawley to get something at Swindon.
20:55 Finally, on the Crawley front, do you see Crawley dipping into the transfer market before it closes next week?
21:00 And on the other ways, do you see any players potentially leaving?
21:04 Yes. When I asked Scott Lindsay this last week and he said that they are definitely looking to add one more,
21:11 at least one more, probably two.
21:13 But it's hard to see who goes out if that's what they need to do, one in, one out kind of thing.
21:20 So, yeah, maybe they're still, I think they're probably still looking for that goal scoring striker
21:26 and maybe just shore up the defence a little bit because that's where maybe if they get a couple of injuries,
21:32 that's where they're probably a little bit weaker.
21:35 So, yeah, but yeah, who goes out? I don't know whether it'll be a loan thing or from some of the fringe players.
21:43 But he talked about last week how important the squad as a whole is and the substitutes who came on,
21:49 like Adam Campbell when he came on against MK Dons, Clivey Loos.
21:54 Yeah, so, yeah, it's difficult to see. He's got such a, this squad seems to be meticulously put together.
22:01 Like last year, there just seemed to be players coming in from everywhere on loan and blah, blah, blah.
22:07 But this year it seems so well put together that I don't yet, whether it's just going to be two more added in
22:12 and that's it kind of thing. And we'll see. But it'll be, yeah, it'll be interesting to see who they do get in.
22:18 But yeah, it is just that finishing that they need to strengthen, I think.
22:22 And if they could get 20 goal a season striker, they would have gotten by now probably.
22:27 So there's not many left on the market available. And there's teams with a lot of money in that league.
22:33 Yeah. Big clubs who would, if there was somebody available, they would have snapped them up by now.
22:38 So, yeah, interesting.
22:40 Do you think that they'll also take some, going back to the recruitment,
22:43 do you think they'll also take some satisfaction in the fact that the players that they have brought in from non-league
22:47 who supporters have said, oh, they'll never cut it in League Two, they've not looked out of their depth, have they, so far?
22:53 Not at all. They have all gelled perfectly. I mean, something like Jay Williams.
22:58 I personally think Nick Cerrulla is the best player in the team in that.
23:03 But Jay Williams has probably put in the most consistent performances so far in dropping the central defensive midfielder
23:12 and just breaking up play, getting involved, nearly scored against MK Donsmouth ahead.
23:16 He's been great. Clydie Lollos, I think, potentially, he is going to be quite the player to watch.
23:23 Just a couple of glimpses of MK Donsmouth, he glided past players.
23:28 And, yeah, the fans, they did every time somebody left in the summer, it was like all doom and gloom.
23:36 And then now, and Scott Lindsay referenced it last week about, because Danilo Orsi's already got his own song.
23:44 And they're all cheering for all these players. And Scott Lindsay said, yeah, the fans have seen already that these players can play at this level.
23:52 So, yeah, I am surprised how quickly they have all settled and how quickly they've gelled and playing really good football together.
23:59 So, yeah, no, it's really good to see. And hopefully the atmosphere of the club, assuming no former players are coming back in the next few weeks, is all going to be great and fine.
24:10 And just on that, the fans, apparently later on at some point there is going to be an announcement about a fan representation on the board at Crawley Town.
24:18 So I don't think it's been revealed yet, it's released yet. So there will be some news later on that.
24:25 So that's good news if the Wagner United have got someone on the board from the fans representing the fans and then they can have a real say in that.
24:32 So hopefully there'll be better communication between the two.
24:35 Fingers crossed we'll keep our eyes peeled. But sticking with football, Worthing suffered their first loss of the National League South campaign, going down 2-1 at home to newly promoted Averley last Saturday.
24:45 The Reds remained top of the division, but the defeat at Woodside Road was not without controversy, was it, Steve?
24:51 You're right, it wasn't. Worthing had a very poor first half and were 2-0 down in the break.
24:57 A couple of very sort of straightforward goals by Averley that Worthing manager Adam Hinshaw wasn't too happy about.
25:04 But 10 minutes into the second half, Worthing were having a bit of a go, awarded a penalty.
25:09 The penalty was put away, players from both sides encroached into the area before the penalty was taken.
25:15 It was one of those where the taker did a little shuffle on the way up, so players went into the area.
25:20 That's probably why players encroached. But the penalty was scored. The penalty was not ordered to be retaken.
25:27 The referee gave a free kick to Averley, which was the incorrect decision because it was scored, it should have been retaken.
25:37 I must admit, I had to look up the rules just to check. For some reason, I asked our resident cricket umpire what the rules were.
25:45 He actually looked it up as well, don't tell anyone, but he wasn't too sure either.
25:49 So, if the penalty had been missed, then fair enough, that would have been a free kick to Averley for encroachment.
25:55 But it was scored, a clear mistake by the referee, who also, by the way, consulted his linesman, who seemingly didn't put him right.
26:04 Worthing did then score about five minutes later. They got back into it, got back into the 2-1.
26:09 Couldn't find an equaliser though, so first defeat of the season for them.
26:13 Adam Hinshaw was very fair afterwards. He said, yes, that was a clear mistake by the referee.
26:19 Could have cost us because if we got a goal a bit earlier, we'd have had a bit more momentum.
26:23 But he also said, you know, we've got to look at ourselves as well. We defended very poorly, played very poorly in the first half.
26:29 And that's kind of the main reason why we lost. So, a bit of a setback for them, but they are still top of the table on goal difference.
26:36 So, it's not all bad.
26:38 Well, also in the National League South, Worthing South's Jadon Deborah also suffered a 2-1 home defeat last Saturday, losing out to Bath City.
26:45 How's it been going for the sport so far this season, Steve? It seems to have started positively and possibly tailed off a little bit.
26:52 Yeah, that's a good summary. They had a very good pre-season, as we've said on here before.
26:56 Won their first game with quite an energetic display against Hampton, Richmond.
27:01 Since then, they've had a draw at Farnborough, which wasn't a bad result in the first away game.
27:05 But they then lost at Averley. Averley have beaten everybody this year. Watch out for Averley. Could be surprise promotion contenders.
27:12 So, Eastbourne Borough lost at Averley and then, as you say, last weekend lost at home to Bath City.
27:17 So, yeah, it has its bright start and some of the optimism has disappeared a little bit.
27:23 But we've got a piece on the back of the Eastbourne Herald this week, out on Friday.
27:28 Basically, within the Borough camp, they're not panicking at this stage. It's very early days.
27:35 You've got a completely new team still, sort of learning about each other.
27:40 They're playing well. They haven't played badly last weekend to lose to Bath.
27:45 They were a bit unlucky in the second half not to, you know, a little bit like Worthing.
27:48 Perhaps they could easily have snatched a point from the game or even gone on to win it.
27:54 Everybody in National South, along with a lot of other non-league divisions, has got two games this weekend, playing Saturday and Monday.
28:01 So, I think for Eastbourne Borough, that will be a good chance.
28:04 They're playing, I think, they're playing Trout Row and Chelmsford. It will be a good chance to get back on track.
28:09 They're 19th in the table at the moment, which sounds below par.
28:13 But if they win a couple of games, they'll be up to fifth or sixth.
28:16 So, you know, as Borough are saying, it's early days. No need to worry just yet.
28:23 Meanwhile, 10 Sussex clubs discovered their respective FA Cup first qualifying round opponents on Monday.
28:29 Preliminary round winners Newhaven, Lansing, Eastbourne United, Stenning and Burgess Hill were joined by Isthmian Premier Club's Bogner, Horsham, Hastings, Lewis and Whitehawk in the draw.
28:39 How has the draw panned out for our side, Steve? Have we got a good chance of having a healthy Sussex contingent in the next round?
28:44 Reasonable. All the sides from Step 3 who have come in, the Isthmian Premier sides, have all been drawn away.
28:54 So, we've only got three Sussex teams at home in the next round. They are Eastbourne United who will play Epsom and Yule, Burgess Hill who will play Bogner in a nice Sussex derby.
29:02 That's probably the pick of the ties in Sussex. And Lansing are at home as well. They're playing Carsholton.
29:09 So, tough games for those three Step 4 and 5 teams at home. And then you've got, just looking at where some of the Isthmian Premier teams are going to, Horsham are going to Leatherhead where you would think they'd be favourites to win.
29:22 Same for Whitehawk at Sevenoaks. Hastings United are going to Aerith and Belvedere. Lewis are going to Faversham.
29:29 So, you could make a case for all five of the Isthmian Premier teams. Although they've got away games, some of them might need replays. They should go through, really.
29:38 I think Burgess Hill, with Dean Cox in charge, will relish taking on Bogner who haven't had the best of starts to the season. So, there could be a little upset there.
29:47 Newhaven and Stenning, obviously the other two sides from Step 5, they're both away.
29:52 But you'd hope for at least five of those ten clubs going through, which means plenty more Sussex interest in the next round of the Cup.
30:00 With, as we've said before, Eastbourne, Borough, Worthing and then later on Crawley and Brighton still to come in. So, yeah, the Cup magic lives on, at least for now.
30:09 Good stuff. That's what I like to hear, Steve. Moving on to cricket, Sussex Sharks, again, snatch defeat from the Jools of victory in their final one-day Cup group game between 23 against Warwickshire on Tuesday.
30:20 The one-week defeat at home saw the Sharks finish bottom of Group B, having won just one of their eight one-day Cup games.
30:27 It's not been a great tournament, Steve, to put it politely, for last season's semi-finalists.
30:33 Would you say the defeat to Warwickshire pretty much summed up their campaign in the one-day Cup?
30:38 It does in a way. They had two chances, two good chances to take that last Warwickshire wicket and win, finish with a win.
30:46 Didn't take them and then Danny Briggs, ironically, a Sussex player, a Sussex and Hampshire player, hit the winning runs.
30:52 But I saw a comment from Adrian Harms, who covers Sussex for BBC, Radio Sussex, which I thought was quite good.
31:00 He described it as a morale-boosting defeat. And by that, he means at least it was close.
31:08 At least Sussex had a go, pushed a good team in Warwickshire all the way, which in some games in that competition they just haven't this season.
31:15 They've absolutely surrendered. Paul Farbrace has been quite critical of his players and himself, in fairness.
31:23 They've lost heavily to teams like Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Durham.
31:28 Games that you would think after how well they did last year in that competition, they should have been winning.
31:36 So, yes, a lot of lessons to be learned from that. They will look at the balance of the team.
31:41 Did they have enough experience in there? Tom Haines, captain, has to be looked at.
31:46 Could he have done things differently and better?
31:50 And I'm sure they'll look to get back to something like winning form in that competition next season.
31:57 The one thing that Sussex have still got to play for, and it's a very important thing, is the county championship.
32:03 They've got four matches left, every chance of promotion to Division One if they can get a couple of wins from these last four games,
32:11 first of which is against Durham starting Sunday week.
32:14 Then if you can get promotion in the county championship, then it's been a successful season, whatever the shortcomings in the 2020 and the One Day Cup.
32:23 But, yes, they'll want to forget that One Day Cup campaign pretty quickly. And I think most Sussex fans probably will too.
32:29 I can't remember where I saw it, Steve, but I saw an article saying that Paul Farbrace had been linked with a return to Kent.
32:36 Can you see that happening or do you think he will stick it out for the long haul?
32:41 Yes, those reports came out a week or so ago and he was asked about it after they'd had one of their disastrous defeats.
32:48 And he said, nothing in it. I'm not going to be Kent's next director of cricket.
32:53 And he then said, I'm staying here unless I get shown the door, because they had just left Hefley.
33:00 So I think he had to sort of, he wasn't sure at that stage if Sussex would still want him, but I'm sure Sussex aren't going to get rid of him.
33:07 So, yeah, you never know these links. Sometimes no smoke without fire is there.
33:12 Might be something in it, but certainly for now, he doesn't seem to have any plans to go to Kent or anywhere else.
33:18 And hopefully he'll be around next year to continue the job that he started at Sussex.
33:23 Well, fingers crossed. And finally, we are now on the home straight in the Sussex Cricket League and with just two weekends of cricket to go.
33:29 Cookefield are just about on the cusp of wrapping up the Premier League division title, aren't they, Steve?
33:34 They are. They could have done it last weekend had they won.
33:39 Didn't manage it last weekend, but they are still, with two games to go, they are 40 points clear,
33:45 4-0 points clear of both Preston Nomad and East Grinstead, who are level behind them.
33:51 So it's still the case that one more win for Cookefield will do it.
33:56 They're away to Bognor this Saturday. Bognor have struggled this season and particularly recently had a big defeat against Eastbourne last weekend.
34:05 Cookefield will, I think, fancy their chances of just, as long as there's no nerves creeping,
34:12 I think if they can play the way they've been playing all season, they should be able to get the job done at Bognor.
34:17 Having said that, East Grinstead and Nomads will both be keeping an eye on that result,
34:24 trying to win their own games and take it at least to the last weekend.
34:29 But Cookefield have led from the off and it would be a real shame for them if they blew it now.
34:35 I don't think they will. I think they will probably, with apologies to Bognor if they're watching this,
34:39 I think they will probably get the job done this weekend.
34:42 And how are things looking at the other end of the table too, Steve, in the Premier Division?
34:45 It looks like Eastbourne might be pulling off a bit of a great escape.
34:48 Well, Eastbourne have given themselves a chance with what was quite a big win over Bognor,
34:52 100 and something runs last weekend.
34:55 Mayfield are almost down and out, would need to win both their last two games handsomely and hope that others slip up.
35:03 Eastbourne also still need a bit of a miracle, really.
35:07 They need to win their last two. They need to hope that Bognor don't win either of their last two.
35:12 And that's what could happen. Eastbourne could still catch Bognor.
35:15 What goes in Eastbourne's favour is that Bognor are playing Cookefield this weekend.
35:26 So they can play their game knowing there's every chance Bognor could lose.
35:30 And that again could take it to the last day.
35:33 And if any of these title or relegation deciders, once you're in the last day, nerves do creep in and funny things happen.
35:40 Same in football, isn't it? You see all sorts of freak results.
35:43 So that will be the aim for some of our teams this weekend, just to keep the fight going.
35:49 Keeping it interesting for our papers, Steve, more importantly.
35:51 Oh, yes.
35:54 Division Two looks interesting as well, doesn't it, Mark? What are the key games this weekend?
36:00 So the top game is the top two are facing each other.
36:04 That's Worthing v Hastings. It's a game I'm umpiring.
36:07 So that's why I wanted to talk about it. But yeah, basically, if Worthing win, they win the title and are promoted.
36:14 So it's a big day for Worthing. It's at Worthing.
36:18 So they would be favourites going into it. But Hastings had a big, very important win against West Chiltington,
36:23 who are the other team involved in the title race.
36:26 So Worthing are currently 32 points ahead of West Chiltington and 23 points ahead of Hastings.
36:34 So, yeah, Worthing win, they're up. If Worthing lose and West Chiltington win, therefore Hastings would have beaten Worthing.
36:43 It becomes very interesting. It becomes a really interesting final day.
36:46 But if West Chiltington lose and depending how many bonus points they get, Hastings and Worthing could both be promoted this weekend.
36:55 No matter what happens. So, yeah. So it's an interesting one.
37:02 And Worthing have done so well this year. They've only lost one of their 16 games so far.
37:09 Whereas you look at Hastings have lost five, West Chiltington have lost three.
37:13 So Worthing, if they do win on Saturday, they will be worthy winners.
37:16 They've got a really good team, like Nick Ballamy, who came back from Bognor last year.
37:21 He was playing in the Premier last year with Bognor. He came back to his home club.
37:26 Dominic Clapton has been playing more this year. Darrell Robetts, who was captain of East Grinstead when they won the Premier division.
37:33 So he's a really good player. And Harry Dunne, we talked about him.
37:37 He has been fantastic, taking five, six wickets every week. He's left arm spinner, really good.
37:43 So, yeah, it's going to be interesting if they go up again next year. It'd be good in a way.
37:48 And I'm not, I have not got any skin in this game.
37:51 But if Hastings went up, because if Mayfield and Eastbourne come down, there's no East Sussex representation in the Premier division.
37:58 So it'd be really nice if there was that East Sussex representation.
38:01 But yeah, if it doesn't, it doesn't. That's the way it goes, isn't it?
38:04 But at the other end of the table as well, there's still three teams who could feasibly drop down.
38:09 Brighton and Hove, incredibly, are already relegated.
38:12 Really?
38:14 Yes, they're already down. So it's between Burgess Hill, Vichy Chichester, Priory Park and Crowhurst Park, the three that can go down.
38:20 There's only 10 points separating those three. The last game of the season is Burgess Hill, Vichy Chichester.
38:25 So depending what happens this weekend, that game could be huge next week.
38:30 So, yeah, it's three teams go down and then one from each of Division 3 East and West go up.
38:37 And then there's a playoff between the second place of Division 3 East and West.
38:43 And Division 3 West, if you want to look at a very tight table, there are three teams vying for one promotion, automatic promotions.
38:52 Mayfield, Stenning and Finden. I think there's five or six points separating the three of them.
38:57 And they all, within the next two games, play each other as well.
39:01 So it's a really thrilling end to the Division 3 West division.
39:06 So, yeah, no, it's great to get to this point of the season with so many different things that can happen.
39:12 But yeah, no, it should be a good one between Worthing and Hastings this weekend. My game of the week.
39:18 Touching on the Division 2, Mark, would it be a bit of a shock if either Chichester or Burgess Hill were to go down?
39:23 They're relatively biggish names, aren't they, in that division?
39:26 They are, especially when you consider you've got the likes of Buxton Park and Crowhurst Park who came up, haven't been up at that level for quite a while.
39:32 I don't think either of those. So, yeah, especially with Brighton going down as well.
39:36 I mean, Brighton is a huge name. They've been in the Premier Division for years.
39:40 Go down one league and they drop down another. But we've seen how Mayfield did exactly the same thing.
39:44 They were in the Premier Division and dropped down two divisions in consecutive seasons.
39:48 But yeah, Burgess Hill, they've been a staple in Div 2 for quite a while. Chichester, Priory Park have as well.
39:53 So, and yeah, it is a really tight division.
39:57 I mean, there's sort of only, what is there, between ninth and second, there's like 90 points.
40:04 And when you consider in the Premier Division, there's a much bigger gap between the bottom line and the top line.
40:10 So, it's a really tight division and it has fine margins.
40:13 But yeah, it will be quite a shock if either of those go down.
40:16 But if you look at the whole division, it would have been a surprise whoever goes down, really.
40:20 So, yeah, that's a good observation.
40:23 Yeah, it all sets up for a very potentially exciting final day, which would be good.
40:27 Finally, moving on to Steve Bowne's score prediction corner, we will start with the very man himself.
40:32 Brighton are home to West Ham this weekend. Steve, how do you see that one going?
40:35 Well, I think Brighton are top of the Premier League because of me, I think.
40:40 Because I keep predicting them to draw against lowly teams.
40:44 I think to Zerby you're seeing this, he's playing these predictions to his team.
40:48 That's inspiring them to go out and win 4-1 every week.
40:51 So, with that in mind, it's going to be a draw against West Ham.
40:55 2-2 against West Ham, I think, this week.
40:59 Baron, how do you see that game going at the Amex?
41:02 I just think Brighton are creating so many chances at the moment.
41:06 I think it's going to be, as we mentioned earlier, their toughest test.
41:09 But I'm going for a 3-1 to Brighton.
41:12 And Mark, how do you see Brighton getting on against the Hammers?
41:15 Yeah, I'm going 3-1 Brighton as well.
41:17 But they've got such a good record against West Ham as well, haven't they, Brighton?
41:20 They do, yeah.
41:21 So, yeah, I think history will play a part in that.
41:24 And like you say, Brighton are playing so well, especially because it's at the Amex.
41:28 If it was at West Ham, I think it might be slightly different.
41:31 I would agree with Steve, I think.
41:32 But because it's at the Amex, I can't see Brighton not winning this one.
41:36 Because they've got a couple of tough fixtures.
41:38 Well, I say tough fixtures coming up, then they've got Man United coming up soon.
41:41 That's not particularly tough.
41:42 Yeah, Newcastle.
41:43 Newcastle will be, I think Newcastle 1 will be the real sort of measure of where they are, Brighton.
41:49 So, yeah, but I think they will win this weekend and probably quite comfortably.
41:54 And in League Two, Mark Swindon against Crawley Town.
41:58 How do you see Scott Lindsay's boys getting on?
42:01 I think they'll get something.
42:04 Swindon, like I said, they've obviously scoring goals and they haven't been beaten yet.
42:09 So, I think it could be a draw and I think it will be a one-all draw.
42:13 Crawley aren't scoring loads, but their defence is very, very good in the midfield as well.
42:17 Like I say, J. William Kelly sort of adding to that defence as well from the midfield.
42:21 So, I'm going to go for a one-all draw.
42:23 Deron, how do you see that one going at Swindon?
42:26 I think Crawley, you know, a bit hard done by against Julian Imser.
42:30 I think they'll sneak it.
42:32 I think a one-nil win for Crawley against Scott Lindsay's old team.
42:36 So, I think he'll be fired up, fired the team up.
42:38 And I think they'll get the three points.
42:41 And Steve, how do you see that one going?
42:44 Well, I don't like Swindon Town.
42:46 They're one of numerous teams throughout the divisions that I just don't like.
42:51 So, I'd love to say Crawley are going to win about 4-0, but I'm going to remain realistic.
42:58 I'm going to go for a 2-2 draw in that one.
43:01 And just on that, I'm not a big fan of Swindon either, just because they made me park about 10 minutes away from the ground
43:07 when I had won their last game of the season and their press box was so uncomfortable.
43:11 I mean, Crawley is what it is, but yeah, I did not enjoy Swindon's press box either.
43:18 So, yeah, no, I'm with Steve Bone on that one.
43:20 Is the car parking situation at Swindon and their press box any reason to go towards your hatred of them, Steve?
43:26 Or is there more?
43:27 No, I've never been in the press box, actually.
43:29 I've only ever stood on the away end as a Portsmouth fan.
43:31 It's my Pompey links, really.
43:33 Pompey just doesn't like Swindon.
43:35 We had a bit of a rivalry going with them for a few years.
43:38 I just don't like them.
43:41 Sorry, I can't really put any reason on it.
43:44 I just don't like them.
43:45 Sorry, Swindon fans if you're watching.
43:47 That's fair enough.
43:49 Before we wrap up, chaps, anything else you'd like to mention before we close off?
43:53 I'm a huge fan of Swindon Town.
43:57 One of my favourite lower league teams.
44:01 The fans won't like you calling them lower league teams.
44:06 They're a funny bunch, the Swindon fans.
44:08 They won't like calling them lower league, even though that's what they are.
44:12 I've scoffed at them.
44:13 They're a former Premier League club, aren't they, Mark?
44:15 They are, yeah.
44:16 It's crazy, isn't it, that they were in the Premier League?
44:18 Yeah.
44:19 Bradford, I think.
44:21 Was it? Both in the same division?
44:22 Yeah.
44:23 Glenn Hoddle, their player.
44:25 Yeah, he was, wasn't he?
44:28 They had the likes of Paul Bowden, didn't they?
44:30 The old Wales left-back.
44:32 Yeah.
44:33 John Moncur, did he play for them as well?
44:36 I can't remember.
44:37 I don't know.
44:38 I'm making things up now.
44:39 I think we'd better finish it before I start saying things.
44:42 We're going to wrap things up.
44:44 You can catch up with all the latest sports news, covering everything we talked about today,
44:47 at sudsworld.co.uk/sport.
44:49 Thank you very much for joining us this week, chaps.
44:52 And I have no opinion on Swindon Town whatsoever.
44:55 Thanks, guys.
44:56 Cheers.
44:57 (chuckles)