THE pressure is now on the Anvils as they look to catch up with league leaders Three Bridges, meaning Saturday's match with Ringmer is now a must win game.

Crawley Down could potentially go into the Sussex County League Division One tie with Ringmer four points off the pace, and manager Darren Guirey is eager to close the gap.

"Bridges should obviously win their Tuesday night game at St Francis Rangers," Guirey mused.

"We can't wait for Saturday to get back to winning ways, though Ringmer are a funny side; they have had some really good results but also some really bad ones.

"But like with any team in Division One they are capable of putting up a good fight so we know we are going to have to be at our best."

At their best is not something the Anvils were last Monday according to Guirey, who was dismayed at the lacklustre performance that saw his team succumb to their first league defeat of the season at Three Bridges, and subsequently give up the top spot in the league.

And Guirey is looking for an improved performance when the two teams face each other again on January 29.

"That is going to be a hard game but I'm looking forward to it," he said.

"Hats off to Bridges for their performance but I know there are a few that could have done better for us and we missed lots of opportunities in front of goal in the last 15 minutes.

"Bridges did well, but I know we can step it up a few gears for the next match."

With last Saturday's league game away to Arundel being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, the Anvils hastily arranged a friendly with Ifield Edwards on a 3G pitch in Crawley.

Down won comfortably 8-0 thanks to goals by Tom Lyons, Nick Sullivan (2), Josh Allard (2), Joe Ranson, Wes Millis and Brad Curtis and Guirey was pleased for the run out.

"It was a good work out for us, Edwards are a competitive side," he explained.

"It was a good surface and I wanted to make sure we weren't too rusty so it was nice to have 90 minutes of football."