The Blues head to the seaside on Saturday with a trip to Hastings United, looking to end our five-game losing run in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Gary McCann’s side have been on a bad run of form of late which culminated in a 4-2 defeat to Hashtag United last time out. Recent loan addition Callum Jones cancelled out Sakariya Hassan’s opener but the Tags accelerated into a comfortable lead thanks to a Luke May-Parrott brace and Jermaine Anderson’s strike with Alfie Cerulli’s late goal counting for nothing.
Hastings were a mid-table outfit when we last faced off in October but they are now only five points off of the play-off places.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
Saturday’s hosts have risen up the table in recent months with Paul Barnes departing in October and he was replaced by Chris Agutter.
After failing to pick up a win in their first two games of the season, they won three consecutive league matches Dulwich Hamlet, Concord Rangers and Cray Wanderers.
An inconsistent run of results then followed, losing five games in a row which coincided with Barnes’ departure. Coming in his place was Agutter who is a familiar face at The Pilot Field after a previous four-year stint and he oversaw an immediate improvement in results.
Beginning his reign with a 2-1 win at Margate, only Enfield Town beat them in a run of one defeat in five outings.
Heading into the New Year, Hastings have been in an excellent run of form. They started 2024 with a 3-2 victory over Cheshunt before a draw to a 2-2 draw to Dulwich Hamlet, a 2-1 loss at Carshalton Athletic as well as a 2-0 win over Hashtag United.
Victories over Margate, Kingstonian and Lewes followed and Davide Rodari and John Ufuah, the latter featuring for the Blues last season, have played key roles in the goalscoring success of the U’s this term.
Following the postponement of their game against Wingate & Finchley on Saturday, the U’s had another postponement on Tuesday as their trip to Potters Bar Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
FORM GUIDE
Hastings have lost their last two in the league after winning their last three.
The Blues have lost their last six in all competitions with five of them being in the league.
SUPPORTER INFORMATION
Tickets are available online or at the gate with admission prices detailed below. Online tickets can be purchased through Hastings’ website by clicking here.
Adult – £12
Concession – £8 (Over 65’s and Blue Light Card)
Under-16s – Free (ID may be required)
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Chatham Town, looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Carshalton Athletic, host Concord Rangers. Two play-off hopefuls, Enfield Town and Lewes, lock horns in North London.
Bognor Regis Town vs Hornchurch
Canvey Island vs Wingate & Finchley
Chatham Town vs Concord Rangers
Dulwich Hamlet vs Whitehawk
Enfield Town vs Lewes
Folkestone Invicta vs Kingstonian
Haringey Borough vs Cheshunt
Hashtag United vs Margate
Horsham vs Carshalton Athletic
IMAGE CREDITS: Stephen Mold/Photofold Camera Club
