Kent/Sussex Regional League leaders Worthing have local rivals Brighton in their sights.

They would love to follow Brighton's lead from last season by securing promotion to South Premier division two.

It is a target which many would have scoffed at before the season started but one defeat in eight games suggests Worthing's title hopes are built on solid foundations.

Joint-skipper John Massie said: "We are surprised to be leading it. We thought Blackheath, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells would be the top three with us close behind.

"We always thought this would be a year when we could win it but we didn't have the confidence to say that.

"At the moment teams are either progressing or tumbling like bricks. We definitely want to progress.

"We have a new Astroturf going down near out club at St Andrew's School which means the lower teams will be playing in Worthing rather than at Portslade and that is a major thing for us.

"We do a lot of work with the youth and that has given us strength in depth. Because of that we have been able to attract better players.

"Over the last couple of years we feel we have under-achieved. We have got to Christmas and settled for mid-table mediocrity.

"We have had a chat we our coach Luke Hurle and we have said we stand a chance. We need to keep pushing on and if we are there we four or five games to go we can then really go for it."

Worthing are hoping to strengthen their squad over the Christmas break, particularly as Ramiz Inga has returned to Bangladesh.

They visit BBHC in the league before playing host to Marlborough in the HA Trophy on Sunday.

Andy Hartley plays his last game for Horsham tomorrow before moving to Derby. Robin Simms returns for the visit of Blackheath but Pete Lambert is missing.

In National League division two, East Grinstead will be without the suspended Dominick Male at home to Formby on Sunday. Jo Payne and Duncan Howarth are injury doubts.

Player-coach Kwan Browne said: "It is a big game for us. Formby are fourth in the table and these are the teams that we really need to beat."

Lewes call up Andy Birch from the seconds as they entertain Brooklands MU. Danny Poulsen and Luke Hurle are missing due to work.