Sidley boss calls for top five finish

United booked an RUR Cup semi-final meeting with Selsey on February 25 courtesy of a stunning 6-3 demolition of Arundel on Saturday to keep their season alive.

They currently sit 13th in Sussex Division One but Heritage thinks a top five place could be in the offing if they can maintain their form. He said: "If we can look like that and show the same amount of commitment and effort there's no reason why we can't do it. We want to finish as high as we can - it's in our hands. I think it might make Bexhill quake in their boots a bit more as well. I think sometimes the lads don't realise how good we can be. Other teams still look at us and think 'they are a good side'. I still think we will have a big say in who the league goes to this year.

"We have only drawn a couple of games - if we could have converted some of those losses into draws we would have been right up there. Hopefully we can put a good little run together."

Heritage also offered a glowing reference of Chris Copley and Russell Eldridge after the red-hot duo were called up to the Sussex squad that played the Army in the South Western Counties Senior Championship on Tuesday night. Commenting on Copley he raved: "He's as good as anyone attacking the ball as I've ever seen. He's a great leader - he's a bit of a stalwart for us really."

Eldridge has blossomed in recent weeks after returning to the club after an unsuccessful spell with Dr Martens League outfit St Leonards. Heritage continued: "For the last five weeks he's probably been our most consistent performer. He does well going forward and he's also got his defensive side sorted out."

Graham Morris will return for tomorrow's (Saturday's) visit from Chichester City United, kick-off 3pm. Jimmy Watson may also come into the reckoning having played for the reserves last weekend to top up his fitness after holiday and Heritage has no fresh injury concerns.