United boss aiming high

Sean Ray is aiming high after his goal saw in-form Hastings United upset another of the top teams in the Ryman Premier.

The player-manager was on target in a superb 1-0 win away to title hopefuls AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday night.

Seven days previously they got the better of third-placed Lowestoft Town.

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The result lifted the 17th-placed U’s six points clear of the relegation zone in the Ryman Premier and they also have a game in hand over Leatherhead, the team in the fourth and final relegation berth.

But Ray has his sights set much higher than simply avoiding the drop. “It’s not just about being safe - I don’t just want to stay up by the skin of our teeth like we have done in previous seasons,” he said. “I want to finish the season as high as possible and get some momentum going into the summer.”

“It’s one game at a time but I’m looking at where we can finish in the league. We’ve got 33 points to play for and we’re more than capable of getting 20 points. The form we are in we are capable of beating anyone in this league.

“We have become hard to beat by building from the back and keeping clean sheets which is the starting point for anything. There is a nice balance about us and the boys are working hard, and as a manager you can’t ask any more.”

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Hastings, who play their first competitive Saturday home match for seven weeks when Canvey Island visit The Pilot Field this weekend, have released recent signings Ben Davisson and Tamer Tuna, pictured.

Skipper Josh Jirbandey and Jamal Willer return to the squad after being unavailable in midweek. Return to this website this evening for a summary of the match.

TODAY’S SENIOR FOOTBALL FIXTURES (3pm)

Ryman League, Premier Division: Hastings Utd v Canvey Island.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Selsey v Rye Utd.

Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Littlehampton Town; Little Common v Dorking Wanderers; Westfield v Oakwood.

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