Hastings keen to hit straight back

The U’s suffered their first Ryman Football League Division One South defeat since September 22 and first loss in any competition since October 10 when they went down 4-1 at home to Faversham Town on Tuesday night.

Wilson acknowledges that setbacks are going to happen with the games coming thick and fast, but it’s vital to respond quickly and not allow one defeat to be followed by another.

United are back at The Pilot Field today (Saturday) against Chatham Town, kick-off 3pm.

He said: “Although it’s a setback, we just need to bounce back from it and go again. Realistically you’re not going to win every game. It’s always disappointing when you lose a game, but you’ve got to move on and bounce back quickly.

“You will see some lacklustre performances because you won’t get that perfect performance every Saturday and Tuesday - there’s no chance at non-league level. But if you’re not playing at the top of your level, don’t concede silly goals.”

Wilson felt that none of the goals United let in against Faversham were ‘good goals’ and the loss came after the U’s had conceded just twice in their previous five matches.

“I was totally baffled,” he continued. “We’ve been the form team in the league all the way through October and first half I thought we played well, well enough to be in front.

“We should’ve protected that 1-0 lead and not let them back in. I don’t know why we started the second half so slowly, but it’s not the first time it’s happened. Going 3-1 down left the team a bit shellshocked and it’s hard to recover.”

United lie 13th in the table - when a win against Faversham would have put them seventh - but no team in the division has played fewer matches.

Sam Cole has one more game to run on his ban and was stuggling to walk on Tuesday night because of a leg problem picked up at Chipstead last weekend. Zac Attwood was this week due to see a specialist about the Achilles problem which continues to cause him a lot of discomfort.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Hastings Utd v Chatham Town.

Macron Store Southern Combination League, Division 1: Little Common v Southwick; Mile Oak v Bexhill Utd.

Division 2 (2): Upper Beeding v Westfield.

Reserve Section (East) (2): Westfield v Saltdean Utd.

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup, 3rd round: Bexhill Utd U21 v Bosham; Lindfield P Ore Athletic P.

Sussex Bluefin Junior Cup, 2nd round (1.30): Rottingdean Village II v Burwash.

Macron East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Hawkhurst Utd v Robertsbridge Utd; Hollington Utd P Sedlescombe Rangers P; Peche Hill Select v Mountfield Utd; Rock-a-Nore P Battle Baptists P.

Division 1: AFC Hastings P Old Hastonians P; Ticehurst v Eastbourne Rangers; Wadhurst Utd v The JC Tackleway.

Division 2: Bexhill AAC P Peche Hill Select II P; Herstmonceux v Catsfield; Northiam 75 v Hastings Rangers; Peasmarsh Utd P Icklesham Casuals P.

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

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

Wisdens Sports Challenge Cup, 2nd round (1.30): Little Common III P Eastbourne Athletic P.

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