Top referee Paul Alcock takes charge of a Sussex match tonight and promises it will be no pushover.

Alcock hit the headlines three years ago when he was shoved to the ground by Paolo Di Canio, who was then playing for Sheffield Wednesday.

But he does not expect any problems for tonight's English Schools' under-16s Championship qualifier between Sussex and Surrey at Haywards Heath.

He said: "I'm going to referee it like I would any match. I'm not going to say anything to the kids beforehand.

"But I'll chat to the players during the game to discuss decisions because things aren't always black and white.

"It can be difficult for players even in a top under-16s schools game to appreciate some of the finer points, like playing advantage. They might get frustrated thinking I've missed something, but all I will be doing is letting the game flow.

"I feel the kids will respect me because I'm a referee at the top. Also, I feel my presence will help the assistant officials develop.

"If any of the players want to have a chat after the game I'll be in the bar afterwards and would be glad to have a word or two."

Alcock was approached by a friend, Paul Buckland, on behalf of the county to officiate.

He said: "I've known Paul for a while. He's an Albion supporter and I used to go to school with his sister.

"I enjoy getting involved in inter-county schools matches and putting something back into the game."

The 48-year-old, in his last season on the national list, was dropped from the Premiership rota after the Di Canio incident.

He said: "I was off for three months with a back problem. When I came back I was carrying a lot of baggage because of the incident. It effected my performance and knocked my confidence.

"A week never goes by without mention of that day at Hillsbrough. It was three years and four months ago, on September 26. Not that I remember it or anything!

"I wish I had a pound for every time it has been shown on television because I could have bought a new car from the proceeds.

"I was asked recently what I thought about Manchester United wanting to sign Di Canio from West Ham. I joked that I should take ten per cent because that incident helped revitalise his career.

"I'm still surprised he did what he did to me.

"I've been on the national list for 20 years and I'm still enjoying it. I'm taking Luton versus Carlisle on Saturday and I'll be in charge of the West Brom and Birmingham derby on January 29."

Sussex need to beat Surrey and then Buckinghamshire to ensure they get through the South East Region stage of the Nationals.

Schools' under-16s manager Bob White said: "We wanted to make it a special day for the kids and they are looking forward to it."

Captain Chris Breach, who also plays centre-back for Albion under-17s, said: "It should be a good experience with a top ref. He's certainly more advanced compared to other officials we've had.

"When we first heard Paul Alcock would be in charge we were surprised and there were wisecracks about the Di Canio incident. But we will trying to be on best behaviour so no one pushes him over!"

Breach, one of four Blatchington Mill pupils in the county squad along with Kevin Keehan, Chris May and Mark Price, know the importance of the game.

He said: "We have to win and then win again to make sure we make it. We've got a reasonable side, but our results have been up and down. We've lost against Kent 2-1, beat Middlesex 5-0 and then lost 3-2 to Inner London. Hopefully we can do enough."

Sussex under-16s: Chris May (Blatchington Mill, Hove); Lance Cronin (Portslade); Chris Breach (Blatchington Mill); Matt Hill (Falmer); Mark Price (Blatchington Mill); Gary Elphick (Longhill, Brighton); Matthew Piper (Lancing College), Scott Harris (Worthing High), Mark Probert (Tideway, Newhaven), Paul Joyce (Warden Park, Cuckfield); Daniel Hollands (Felpham); Jordan Leatherdale (Imberhorne, East Grinstead); Ben Watson (Kings Manor, Shoreham); Owen Callaghan (Dorothy Stringer, Brighton); Rhys Whybourne (Bexhill); Matt Robb (Bognor Regis); Jamie Bristow (Oathall, Haywards Heath); Russell Mortimer (Hazelwick, Crawley); Kevin Keehan (Blatchington Mill).

Meanwhile, Sussex Schools under-15s are on verge of completing a double.

The team, which became the first from the county to lift the South East title at under-14s, will reach the semi-finals if they defeat Surrey in their final game of the regional-only competition at the Saffrons on a date to be arranged.

They defeated Middlesex 3-0, thanks to goals by Adam Mountfield (Thomas Peacock, Rye), Jake Robinson (Tideway, Newhaven) and Josh Lyons (Hazelwick, Crawley).

Ryan McMillan (Dorothy Stringer, Brighton) scored twice as they overcame the previously undefeated Inner London 4-0. Dean Cox (Oathall, Haywards Heath) and Robinson completed the scoring,