FOOTBALL: County Leage Christmas review

United have so far lost only twice under Fred Proto and Jason Rutherford and will look to continue their fine form and shoot back up to the top division of the County League.

The revolution has seen them storm to the summit and they are expected to go head-to-head with Loxwood for the title. The lowest point of the season was a 3-1 defeat at Southwick, put down to a blip, as they have not lost since.

United joint manager Proto said: "The season has gone well so far, considering we started from scratch and, although we've got quality in the squad, we weren't expecting to do so well so quickly.

"Julian Curnow has done well and has been very influential, while Ross Standen has bought experience to the team. There are several players who have done well, but those two stand out.

"Our aim is obviously promotion. The target before the season started was to consolidate and then push on next year, but it's not worked out that way, so we'll be looking to go up and anything else will be a bonus."

United have signed Paul Elliott, a former Southwick player, from Horsham YMCA.

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Lancing in Division 2, flattered slightly with their current sixth spot, having played more games than those around them.

They can be content with their season so far, although, with a bit more consistency, could be a side closer to the promotion places that they crave.

However, that fate does still remain a possibility and a string of good results could see a movement into the top three.

Boss Martin Gander said: "We're in a comfortable position but I think we've lost three games too many. I feel that we've got six points less than we should have but we've done okay.

"It would be hard to choose one individual player who has stood out for us, but Darren Boswell, Darren Beard and Michael Sims have been consistent and influential.

"I want us to get to 50 points and finish as high as we can. In an ideal world, I'd like to win every game and get promoted but, realistically, I think we should achieve a top six finish."

Storrington's campaign has been blighted by inconsistency, with their record of won seven and lost eight showing their frailties.

They currently lie in eighth place and should finish in the top 10, although their inconsistent results could prevent anything more than that.

Their lowest point of the campaign was the 7-1 thrashing at Loxwood, but the team did enjoy excellent wins at Little Common and Sidley.

Southwick's season has not at all gone to plan. The talk in pre-season was of a promotion challenge, but instead it looks as though they will be in a relegation battle, despite 16 goals from leading scorer Ryan Walton.

They have been crippled by injuries, with defender Dean Lipscombe out until the end of the season and striker James Wotherspoon back playing but yet to regain full fitness.

Despite this, they did record an impressive 3-1 win over leaders Worthing United, one of only two sides to beat them. Their lowest point came with the run of eight successive defeats, between the end of September and the start of November.

They have at times played some good football and come close to a number of good results, but they cannot turn their chances into goals and it is this that has been their downfall.

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