BASILDON United boss John Sussex admits he is not looking forward to tomorrow’s clash with Witham Town.

Witham make the short trip to the Ho Ho Stadium knowing that defeat could see them suffer relegation from the Isthmian North if Romford get at least a point against Felixstowe & Walton United.

Sussex took over as Basildon boss last month - succeeding Neil Blackburn - having enjoyed a stint as assistant manager at Witham and he does not want to condemn the visitors to the drop.

“I really don’t want this game to take place because it’s the worst situation for me,” said Sussex.

“It would have been nice to have been playing a team who have nothing to play for and that would have allowed me to experiment with my side.

“But I have to put a strong side out because otherwise that would not be fair on Romford.

“I spent half a season at Witham and I brought in a few of the players there.

“I like to think that I have got some really good friends there and it will be very difficult for me to be jovial on the day if we send them down.

“I’m sure they will be determined to beat us because they want to stay up.

“It’s one of those occasions where I have to put friendships to one side because my loyalties lay with Basildon.

“My aim is to get the win because the fans deserve it for their support and I’m the manager of the club so I want to give them that to take into the summer.”

The Bees head into the home clash having successfully staved off an immediate relegation to the Essex Senior League despite a budget cut and large turnover of players and managers over the course of the season.

However, Basildon will take on Witham having suffered a 4-0 defeat to Canvey Island last time out.

And Sussex insists his side will need to be more clinical if they are to beat Witham this weekend.

“Canvey’s goalkeeper (Harry Palmer) made eight saves over the course of the game, whereas ours (Dylan Skinner) made one,” added Sussex.

“In all honesty, Canvey fully deserved to win but we created so many chances.

“Frankie Merrifield had two one-on-one opportunities and took both of them.

“We had four one-on-ones with their goalkeeper and he kept out every single one of them.

“On another day we might have drawn 2-2, but it wasn’t to be and Canvey were the better team on the day.

“We will need to be more clinical against Witham.”