We must be on our guard, says United boss

Garry Wilson has stressed that Hastings United’s footballers must be on their guard to avoid being on the receiving end of an FA Cup surprise.
Sam Crabb on the ball for Hastings United against Carshalton Athletic at The Pilot Field last weekend. Picture courtesy Joe KnightSam Crabb on the ball for Hastings United against Carshalton Athletic at The Pilot Field last weekend. Picture courtesy Joe Knight
Sam Crabb on the ball for Hastings United against Carshalton Athletic at The Pilot Field last weekend. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

The U’s will host Thatcham Town - who play their football one level further down the non-league pyramid - in first round qualifying today (Saturday).

United manager Wilson warned: “This won’t be an easy game. They’re a team that’s used to winning and scoring goals, and when you come up against opposition like that you’ve got to be ready and prepared.

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“We’ve got to forget about divisions and leagues, and see it as an FA Cup tie. We need to battle and play properly to win the game.”

Thatcham boast 15 points from a possible 18 in the Hellenic League Premier Division, while United - who will again be without the suspended Sam Cole - have 12 from 24 in Ryman League Division One South following back-to-back single goal defeats.

Wilson said the performance at home to Carshalton Athletic on Saturday was not at an acceptable level, but got the response he was looking for against Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday.

“If we play like that in most of the games, we won’t be too far away,” he added. “We were very unfortunate not to take something from the game.”

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

FA Cup, 1st round qualifying: Hastings Utd v Thatcham Town.

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Macron Store Southern Combination League, Division 1: Little Common v Saltdean Utd.

Reserve Section (East): Haywards Heath Town v Westfield 4.30.

Sussex Intermediate Cup, 1st round: Brighton Electricity v Peche Hill Select 2.30;Ditchling v Hollington Utd 2.30; Westfield v Rustington.

Macron East Sussex League, Premier Division: Mountfield Utd v Ore Athletic; Robertsbridge Utd v Battle Baptists; Rock-a-Nore v Hawkhurst Utd; St Leonards Social v Sedlescombe Rangers.

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Division 1: AFC Hastings v Ticehurst; Eastbourne Rangers v Wadhurst Utd; Hollington Utd II v Sovereign Saints; Old Hastonians v The JC Tackleway; Sidley Utd v Crowhurst.

Division 2: Bexhill AAC v Little Common III; Herstmonceux v Hastings Rangers; Icklesham Casuals v Catsfield; Peasmarsh Utd v Northiam 75; Peche Hill Select II v Eastbourne Athletic.

Division 3: Burwash v St Leonards Social II; Mayfield v West Hill Utd; Orington v Bexhill Utd II; Sedlescombe Rangers II v Hooe Sports; Westfield III v Herstmonceux II.

Division 4: Battle Baptists II v Bexhill Rovers; Bexhill AAC II v Grasshoppers Old Boys; Hawkhurst Utd II v Punnetts Town; The JC Tackleway II v Conquest Utd; Victoria Baptists v Wittersham II.

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Division 5: FC Westridge v Robertsbridge Utd II; Magham Down v Icklesham Casuals II; Parkfield v Hampden Park Utd; Sedlescombe Rangers III v Battle Baptists III; St Leonards v Sandhurst.

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