Blues Win Mid Table Battle - Selsey vs. Southwick

Match details

My first choice fixture of the previous weekend was the top of the table clash in The Hellenic League West between Hook Norton and Fairford Town but when I saw the forecast temperatures coupled with how difficult it would've been to get to another game, I went for another option. Of course, my original choice beat the weather anyway. Whenever a lot of games fall foul to the weather, Selsey always seems to manage to beat the conditions and their regularly updated Twitter provided me with the assurance I needed. Their opponents in The Sussex League Division One match were Southwick. Having past Southwick's Old Barn Way ground several times while traveling on the West Coastway Line, I have been meaning to visit for a little while. The two sides were next to each other in the table, level on points but Southwick had played four more games then today's hosts. Selsey won the reverse fixture four two back in November.

Kick off at The Bunn Leisure Stadium

Southwick get into a crossing position early on which unfortunately lands in the grateful arms of the Selsey keeper. The Selsey forward is then played in on goal but he passes the ball wide of the target. Towards the end of the half, the Southwick keeper has to be alert to punch away a dangerous cross.

The Southwick keeper comes to claim a Selsey cross

Into the second half and the visitors have a lucky escape when a cross is heavily deflected and goes wide of the target. Selsey then come even closer as a free kick is headed onto his own bar by a Southwick defender and then goes out of play. The hosts do take a deserved lead when a corner is headed home from close range. In the later stages of the game, Selsey are then gifted the second goal. The Southwick keeper is unfortunate in letting a weak shot go straight through him and into the net.

A first half Selsey attack with the clubhouse in the background

It does take a little while to get to Selsey from London, but it is worth the effort. Firstly you have to take a train to Chichester from Victoria which takes an hour and forty minutes. Then from the bus station you can catch the 51 bus which takes around twenty minutes to get to Selsey and there are four buses an hour. I got off a little earlier then I intended to have a walk on the sea wall past the seafood stalls and the lifeboat station. Just behind the station is The Lifeboat which is good for a post beach walk drink. Then on the High Street, The Seal had the best selection of beers while The Crown was good for the early kick off. The ground is then just off the High Street, through the Co-Op car park (which took me a short while to work out). The clubhouse was friendly and had the usual selection of drinks as well as the sports channels. I really enjoyed my trip to Selsey and as I said it's worth taking the time to visit.

Another view of the stand