Hastings target four more points

Hastings United need four points from their last two games to make sure of a play-off spot.
Sam Adams scores Hastings United's third goal in the 3-1 victory at home to Whitstable Town yesterday. Picture by Terry S. BlackmanSam Adams scores Hastings United's third goal in the 3-1 victory at home to Whitstable Town yesterday. Picture by Terry S. Blackman
Sam Adams scores Hastings United's third goal in the 3-1 victory at home to Whitstable Town yesterday. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The U’s will travel to runaway Ryman Football League Division One South champions Peacehaven & Telscombe tomorrow (Easter Monday) before hosting second-bottom Crawley Down Gatwick on the final day next weekend.

There was no change to the situation after the teams in third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh all won yesterday. United continue to occupy the final play-off spot of fifth after they overturned a 1-0 second half deficit to record a crucial 3-1 win at home to Whitstable Town.

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They might have hoped to pull clear of their nearest pursuers, but sixth-placed Burgess Hill Town came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 away to second-placed Leatherhead and seventh-placed Merstham won 3-1 at home to Herne Bay. Both teams remain three points behind United, albeit with better goal differences.

Fourth-placed Guernsey are three points better off than United, but they too possess a better goal difference than the U’s. If Guernsey therefore match or better United’s result tomorrow, they will be out of reach.

The play-off semi-finals - scheduled for Tuesday April 29 - will see second host fifth and third entertain fourth. The winners of those two games will meet in the final, which is scheduled for Saturday May 3. As things stand, United would visit Leatherhead in the semi-finals.

Ryman Football League Division One South play-off run-in - Hastings United: April 21 Peacehaven & Telscombe (a), April 26 Crawley Down Gatwick (h).

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Guernsey: April 21 Walton Casuals (a), April 25 Folkestone Invicta (h).

Burgess Hill Town: April 21 Corinthian-Casuals (h), April 26 Sittingbourne (a).

Merstham: April 21 Folkestone Invicta (a), April 26 Horsham (h).

Ryman Division One South top seven (played-points): 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 44-104 (+74 goal difference), 2 Leatherhead 44-88 (+45), 3 Folkestone Invicta 44-85 (+42), 4 Guernsey 44-79 (+28), 5 HASTINGS UNITED 44-76 (+11), 6 Burgess Hill Town 44-73 (+18), 7 Merstham 44-73 (+18).