Hastings hit by injury blow

Hastings United’s play-off bid has been hit by an injury to key man Tom Vickers.
Tom Vickers goes in for a tackle during Hastings United's 2-1 win away to Three Bridges last weekend. Picture by Simon NewsteadTom Vickers goes in for a tackle during Hastings United's 2-1 win away to Three Bridges last weekend. Picture by Simon Newstead
Tom Vickers goes in for a tackle during Hastings United's 2-1 win away to Three Bridges last weekend. Picture by Simon Newstead

The 20-year-old midfielder was told by a physio on Wednesday evening that he will be sidelined for at least three weeks.

Should that diagnosis prove correct, Vickers will miss all of United’s remaining five Ryman Football League Division One South matches and a potential play-off semi-final should the U’s get there.

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United manager Terry White said: “It’s not looking good for Vickers. He’s done some damage to his calf or Achilles and he’s out for three weeks minimum, which is a huge blow. He couldn’t even get on his toes when I spoke to him on Wednesday.”

Vickers, a former Brighton & Hove Albion youth team captain, had to be helped off near the end of last weekend’s 2-1 win at Three Bridges and missed Tuesday night’s defeat away to Sittingbourne.

Injuries have struck United at just the wrong time. Andy Henson won’t play again this season, while the trip to Horsham today (Saturday) is likely to come too soon for Tim Olorunda, but Tuesday night’s game at Folkestone Invicta is a possibility.

Sam Cruttwell should return from illness for today and Taser Hassan, who got poked in the eye against Bridges and had no vision in it, is also expected to be back.

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United continue to occupy the final play-off spot of fifth, but are only three points behind third-placed Folkestone and three ahead of sixth-placed Merstham, with a game in hand on the latter.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Horsham v Hastings Utd 3.07.

Sussex County League, Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Broadbridge Heath 2; Little Common v Loxwood 2; Westfield v Storrington 2.

Reserve Section (East): Bexhill Utd v Southwick 4.30; Hurstpierpoint v Little Common 4.30; Westfield v Seaford Town 4.30.

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ADA East Sussex League, Premier Division: Iden v Peche Hill Select; Robertsbridge Utd v Hollington Utd.

Division 1: Battle Baptists v Sedlescombe Rangers 1.30; Crowborough Athletic III v Mountfield Utd; Hollington Utd II v Orington; Icklesham Casuals v Bexhill AAC.

Division 2: Crowhurst v Eastbourne Rangers; Hawkhurst Utd v Wittersham (double header 2 & 3.30); Little Chelsea v JC Tackleway; Ninfield Utd II v Windsor; Wadhurst Utd v Catsfield (double header 2 & 3.30).

Division 3: AFC Hastings v Northiam 75; Eastbourne Athletic v St Helens (double header 2 & 3.30); Old Hastonians v Conquest Utd; Pebsham Sibex v Visick; Rock-a-Nore II v Herstmonceux II.

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Division 4: Bexhill AAC II v Westfield III; Bexhill-On-Sea v Burwash (double header 2 & 3.30); Peche Hill Select II v FC Bexhill (double header 2 & 3.30); St Leonards Social II v Sovereign Saints (double header 2 & 3.30); West Hill Utd v Peasmarsh Utd (double header 2 & 3.30).

Division 5: Battle Baptists II v Ticehurst II 3.30; Herstmonceux III v Victoria Baptists; Little Common III v Grasshoppers Old Boys 4; Magham Down v Bexhill Rovers; Wittersham II v Sedlescombe Rangers II.

Division 6: Catsfield II v Parkfield; FC Westridge v Battle Baptists III; Sandhurst II v Robertsbridge Utd II; JC Tackleway II v Orington II.

Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup quarter-final: Rock-a-Nore v St Leonards Social 2.30.