HOCKEY: Round-up (March 25)

Littlehampton nearly took advantage of St Francis being down to 10 men early on, following a yellow card for dissent, when Tony Thompson saw his deflected effort come back off the crossbar.

The home side started to get into the game and took the lead midway through the half.

Littlehampton leading scorer Jon Miles levelled, and then forced a fine save from the St Francis goalkeeper, before Littlehampton found themselves behind again.

They again pulled level before half-time, as Olly Clarke's cross span away from the goalkeeper and almost eluded Miles at the far post but he finally netted at the third attempt.

In the second half, St Francis almost went ahead for the third time but struck the woodwork, before Littlehampton captain Steve Jenkins got a spectacular winner with a shot into the top corner, midway through the half.

LITTLEHAMPTON: Keeley, Thompson, Phillips, D.Clark, Macdonald, Gardner, Warner, Jenkins, Akrill, Miles, Judd. Subs: Windust, O.Clarke, Cullern.

Worthing's dream of promotion in the Kent/Sussex Regional League is all but over, despite a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove 2nd.

The league refused to overturn last week's defeat, despite Worthing's claims Holcombe 2nd had played an ineligible player.

Worthing, who currently sit two points behind Holcombe 2nd, who are second, in the play-off spot, face a difficult visit from league leaders Lewes, who need just a point to seal the title on Saturday.

It is now out of Worthing's hands as they will need Holcombe to slip up in their three remaining games, for any chance of sealing the play-off spot.

Brighton started the stronger on Saturday, but after a formation re-jig, Worthing got into the game and went close with a whole host of chances.

Ahmed Ramiz, whose impressive form in the second team earned him a call-up, caused a number of problems down the left side, with the support of Dan Ginnaw. Rob Lowe went closest for Worthing, but his one-on-one chance was saved well.

Brighton took the lead after the break from a well-worked short corner, which was deflected in.

But Worthing soon equalised as a Ramiz, Matt Ansell and Ben Burriss' move ended in a great reverse stick strike from Ginnaw.

In the last 10 minutes, Worthing's fitness and counter attacking proved decisive. A superb run and shot from Ginnaw was well saved, but Lowe was on hand to tuck away from a yard.

Then Burriss broke from the middle of the park to seal the win.

WORTHING: Binns, Godber, Pease, Barker, Ginnaw, Sewell, Sciandro, Ansell, Ramiz, Sawyer, Lowe. Subs: Burriss, Atkinson.

Worthing Ladies recorded a thumping 7-2 win over Crawley in the Sussex League Premier Division thanks to a Shelley Formstone hat-trick.

It was a dazzling second-half performance after the score was tied 2-2 at the break.

Andie Chambers (two), Gemma Taylor and Kirsty Pickett got the other goals as Worthing continued their pursuit of second place.

Worthing have a big game to look forward to on Sunday, when they take on Oxted in the semi-finals of the EHA Vase, at St Andrew's in a 1pm start. Oxted are top of Surrey Division 1, and have lost just one game all season.

In Sussex Area Division 1, Penguin continued their excellent form with a 3-0 win against Middleton & Bognor.

A first-half short corner from Dave Matthews gave Penguin a 1-0 half-time lead.

Penguin keeper Martyn Wells made several excellent stops in the first half.

After the break, a great team goal finished by Moaz Hamid, and a open play flick from Rupert Ireland gave Penguin a deserved victory.

With three games to go, Penguin remain in their targeted third spot in the league.

Worthing 2nd beat Horsham 2nd 5-2 at St Andrew's, Worthing 3rd also won 5-2, away at South Saxons 2nd, and Southwick won 7-1 away at Brighton & Hove.

Worthing 6th overcame Lewes 3-1 in Division 3 of the Open League, with the majority of the team made up of the Worthing Wolves junior side.

The majority of the Wolves side are under-14, and it was their first game at a senior level. Luke Helmer hit all three goals for Worthing in an excellent team performance.

In the same division, champions Worthing 5th, who had a depleted side, lost just their second game of the season, 8-3 away to Brighton & Hove 6th.

Worthing found themselves two down in 10 minutes, but goals from Luke Beaumont and Jon Humphreys brought them back level.

Brighton then went ahead again, but James Fyles struck just before half-time to level the scores at 3-3.

After the break, promotion-chasing Brighton fired home another five goals.

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