Hinsh happy with United response

The U’s turned in a strangely subdued display in the 1-0 defeat at home to Wingate & Finchley on Saturday before running out deserved 2-0 winners away to East Thurrock United on Tuesday night.

“It was one extreme to the other,” said Hinshelwood who took charge of the team in the absence of manager Jason Hopkinson in midweek.

“We went from a lacklustre performance on Saturday to a high energy, high tempo, smash bang wallop display on Tuesday. It wasn’t pretty at times but we looked a bit more solid and comfortable, but we’ll take positives from both games.”

Former Brighton & Hove Albion star Hinshelwood was delighted with the improvement from a very young Hastings side and believes this performance has set the benchmark.

“Everyone was on a high after the game and I said to them ‘if you win that’s the kind of feeling you will get’, but it’s down to them to get that feeling by turning in that level of performance week-in, week-out,” he continued.

Hopkinson will be back to take over the reins for the busy bank holiday weekend when Hastings face a long trip to Bury Town today (Saturday) followed by a home match against Margate on Monday. Both games kick-off at 3pm.

The holidaying Jack Dixon missed the East Thurrock game and is also unavailable for both of this weekend’s matches, while Lee Carey is rated extremely doubtful after turning his ankle in training on Monday.