Fired up Hastings surge into top 10

The U’s hauled themselves up to 10th in the fledgling Ryman Football League Premier Division standings with wins against Wingate & Finchley and Harrow Borough.

“The boys have got the fire in their bellies and want to keep winning,” said Hastings assistant manager Mark Stapley. “The dressing room atmosphere is superb and confidence is high. We have just got to keep pushing on.”

Zac Attwood and player-boss Sean Ray netted in a 2-1 victory at home to Wingate before Bradley Goldberg grabbed the only goal away to Harrow.

The victories meant Hastings achieved their aim of seven points from the first four games after narrowly losing away to Hampton & Richmond Borough - the division’s early pace-setters - and being held by a Margate side which struck twice in the closing quarter-of-an-hour.

Hastings’ winning run is expected to undergo a severe examination today (Saturday) when fourth-placed Bury Town visit The Pilot Field.

The teams met three times last season - twice in the league and once in the League Cup - and Hastings lost all three without scoring a single goal. Bury also did the double against the U’s in the 2010/11 campaign.

Bailo Camara is expected to be out for a couple of weeks after suffering a groin injury against Wingate, while Ray is likely to return to the heart of the defence after sitting out Monday’s match.

TODAY’S SENIOR FOOTBALL FIXTURES (ALL 3PM)

Ryman League, Premier Division: Hastings Utd v Bury Town.

FA Vase, 1st round qualifying: Mole Valley SCR v Sidley Utd.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Chichester City v Rye Utd.

Division 2: Little Common v Storrington; Loxwood v Bexhill Utd; Westfield v Mile Oak.