Hastings boss: Such a shame we can't let more fans into Pilot Field

Chris Agutter toasted another double winning week – but spoke of his sadness Hastings’ success couldn’t be watched by more supporters.
Ben Pope celebrates Hastings' second goal v Whitehawk with the fans - but the club would love to get more than 400 into the Pilot Field / Picture: Scott WhiteBen Pope celebrates Hastings' second goal v Whitehawk with the fans - but the club would love to get more than 400 into the Pilot Field / Picture: Scott White
Ben Pope celebrates Hastings' second goal v Whitehawk with the fans - but the club would love to get more than 400 into the Pilot Field / Picture: Scott White

United won 1-0 at Sevenoaks at the weekend and followed it with a 2-1 home victory over Whitehawk on Tuesday night.

The victories put them six points clear at the top of the Isthmian south east division as they look to make sure of the promotion this year they were robbed of last season.

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Agutter said his players were answering every question asked of them and it was just a shame home crowds were limited to 400.

Chris Agutter is delighted by his team's winning form / Picture: Scott WhiteChris Agutter is delighted by his team's winning form / Picture: Scott White
Chris Agutter is delighted by his team's winning form / Picture: Scott White

Billy Wood (CEO) told us we could have had twice that number in the ground for Whitehawk but for the current limit,” Agutter said.

“It’s a shame for the fans who can’t get in to see a winning team, and I feel sorry for the players too – they are playing excellent football and aren’t able to get the bigger support they normally would. But it is what it is and we have to be patient.”

United go into a week of knockout football – they host Ashford Town in the FA Trophy tomorrow and Eastbourne Borough in the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday – in fine fettle.

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They’ve won six in a row in the league and Trophy since their unlucky FA Cup defeat at Ebbsfleet and confidence is high.

Agutter said: “The Sevenoaks and Whitehawk games were both great results. At Sevenoaks we had to be patient and the goal came. We’d had a lot of possession and just had to keep knocking on the door, then we saw the game out comfortably.

“At Whitehawk we were more dominant than I thought we’d be, because they are a very strong team. I watched it back on video and was surprised how much of the play we had.They got one back and that always brings an element of doubt but I always felt we’d hold on.”

Agutter does not mind the break from league action that now arrives – he sees the Trophy and the county cup as competitions United could feasibly win.

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“At the moment we are picking the strongest team to win each game and going into every one believing we can win it,” he said.

Defender Gary Elphick is out for a week or two with a hamstring strain but otherwise Agutter has a full squad from which to pick.