Top two clash is must-win

Weather permitting, Saxons make the journey to Horsham II trailing their opponents by four points in the battle for top spot in South Hockey League Sussex Area - Division One.

Saxons captain Cornish said: “If we win it we’ve still got a chance because they’ve still got some tough games. But even if we draw I think we’ve got to look at it and say we’re playing for second place. We’ve got to win.”

A surprise 2-1 defeat at home to fifth-placed Hailsham last weekend cost Saxons vital ground in their quest to clinch the automatic promotion spot going into their final seven matches.

Although they’ve taken only six points from a possible 12 since the turn of the year, Saxons can draw heart from beating Horsham 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the end of October.

“Even the wins we’ve been getting are not convincing,” continued Cornish, pictured. “But we definitely can do it as long as we attack it with the right frame of mind and not do what we did Saturday.

“We played really well at home (to Horsham) and as long as we play the hockey we know we can, we will definitely give them a game. It should be a good game and hopefully we can get out of it what we want.”

Toby Reed is due to return in place of Oscar Rogers as Saxons, who are four points ahead of third-placed Lewes III, seek to end their opponents’ seven-match winning run which stretches back to November 19.