‘A long way to go’ says boss

Although nicely on course as we head into December, Maggs stressed that there is an awful long way to go in the Ryman Division One South promotion battle.

Maggs said: “We’re only just getting to halfway. You might say first half we’re on course if you like, but there’s a long way to go. I’ve seen so often in my time in management where clubs have been in a similar position this time of year, and things haven’t gone right for them in the new year and they’ve fallen away a bit.

“Our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen and we continue to get stronger. We’ve got to keep totally focused on what we’re doing and remain in a challenging position. It’s all about the end of April.”

United - who still boast the division’s meanest defence and the only remaining unbeaten home record - will seek to make it 26 points from a possible 30 at The Pilot Field today (Saturday) against third-bottom Three Bridges.

“It’s going to be difficult for us every time we hit the field,” continued Maggs. “In Three Bridges’ case, they’re not going so well, but they will want to come and turn us over because that might kick-start their season.”

Bailo Camara is unavailable due to work and Bruno Pacheco has gone back to Portugal for family reasons. Tom Vickers hoped to do some light training on Thursday night having missed the last two games through injury.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Hastings Utd v Three Bridges.

FA Vase, 3rd round: East Preston v Rye Utd.

Sussex County League, Division 2: Little Common v Seaford Town; Oakwood v Bexhill Utd; Westfield v Midhurst & Easebourne 2.

Reserve Section (East): Bexhill Utd v Westfield.

ADA East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Iden v Hollington Utd; St Leonards Social v Ore Athletic.

Division 1: Mountfield Utd v Bexhill AAC; Sandhurst v Battle Baptists.

Division 2: Catsfield v Herstmonceux; Ninfield Utd II v Crowhurst; JC Tackleway v Little Chelsea; Wittersham v Eastbourne Rangers.

Division 3: Bexhill Utd III v Conquest Utd; Herstmonceux II v Northiam 75; Pebsham Sibex v Old Hastonians; St Helens v Punnetts Town; Visick v Rock-a-Nore II.

Division 4: Burwash v Peasmarsh Utd; FC Bexhill v Bexhill AAC II; Mayfield v Iden II; West Hill Utd v Peche Hill Select II; Westfield III v Bexhill-On-Sea.

Division 5: Battle Baptists II v Wittersham II; Bexhill Rovers v Grasshoppers Old Boys; Magham Down v Victoria Baptists; Sedlescombe Rangers II v Little Common III; Ticehurst II v Herstmonceux III.

Division 6: FC Westridge v Sandhurst II; Hampden Park Utd v Robertsbridge Utd II; Orington II v Battle Baptists III; Parkfield v Hawkhurst Utd II; Sedlescombe Rangers III v JC Tackleway II.

Sussex Junior Cup, 3rd round (1.30): Hailsham Athletico v Hollington Utd II; Lake Road Rangers v AFC Hastings; Rogate v Icklesham Casuals.

Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup, 1st round (1.30): Peche Hill Select v Ticehurst; Robertsbridge Utd v Ninfield Utd; Rock-a-Nore v Sedlescombe Rangers.