Ryan Light is happy with his squad as Bexhill United go in search of home comforts.
The Pirates suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss at Peacehaven on January 24 before they hosted high-fliers Newhaven on the final Saturday of January.
Weather permitting, they then had a run of three home matches at the Polegrove against Crowborough (February 1), Saltdean (February 4) and Midhurst and Easebourne (February 8).
A trip to Uckfield (February 11) is then followed by Steyning’s visit a week later before the month ends on the road at Crawley Down (February 25).
Boss Light admitted a home run after a tricky run of fixtures presented a chance to make hay as they chase another top-four finish this season in the Southern Combination League premier division.
Speaking before the Newhaven visit, he told the Bexhill News: “Our home record has been excellent over the last three years.
“I think we’ve lost twice, and that was recently, but before that we went on the run of three years unbeaten at home.
“We’ve only lost there twice recently, and that was against the top two sides Crawley Down and Broadbridge Heath. We always back ourselves at the Polegrove and we have we have made it somewhat of a fortress over the past few seasons.”
Light puts United’s home domination down to a number of factors.
He claimed: “I think it’s feeling comfortable at somewhere other teams don’t.
“I don’t think it’s ever a particularly great playing surface at the Polegrove by any means. And I don’t think it inspires teams to want to come to us.
“So that, coupled with us being quite a tenacious side who gives everybody a hard game, helps.
“Also, I think the home crowd over the years has grown and it’s quite vociferous. It’s a great home crowd to have behind us.”
A 2-1 win over visitors Little Common on Boxing Day and 4-1 success against Alfold in January have kept United ticking along but Light is not getting carried away despite last season’s great strides.
He said: “The rise over the last four seasons from the lower reaches and almost going out of senior football, to finishing top four last year in the county premier has been unbelievable.
“And the top four were miles clear of the rest of last season – it wasn’t a case we snuck into fourth.
“But what that means is expectations get heightened.
“And even though I think we’re having a decent season, which is only our second at this level for 30-odd years, there are expectations from last year with people expecting us to be running away with the league. It doesn’t work like that. We are still just little Bexhill.
“There is a long way to go yet and I think we’re doing all right. I am really happy with where the squad is at numbers-wise. We’ve had a few new faces come in and it’s really fleshed the squad out nicely.”
One of those recent additions is Stephen Okoh, the former Hastings United, Lewes, Whitehawk and Stranraer winger.
Okoh put United ahead with a superb header in a 1-1 draw at Eastbourne Town on January 21 before the hosts replied with a scrambled last-gasp leveller by Delwin Duah.
Light worked with the 28-year-old previously at Hastings and knows what he can bring to the Pirates.
He said: “I really liked him at Hastings and when they let him go and I was really surprised.
“He was a player that could get past players and they are not ten-a-penny.
“I followed his progress when he went to Stranraer and then he came down to Kent, where he lives and has flipped around a few clubs. I swooped in for him and so far, so good.
“He’s making the trip down and consistently shown a good attitude to getting his fitness back up and he’s great signing for us.
“I signed him to be a winger and didn’t expect rising bullet headers from corners!”
Photo: Joe Knight, Seaside Photography
