Old boy Sawyer haunts United

The dimunitive striker, who had a brief and unsuccessful second spell at Hastings before Christmas, scored both goals as Hastings lost 2-0 at fellow strugglers Croydon Athletic.

Sawyer intercepted a Harry Beautyman pass across his own penalty area to open the scoring in the 22nd minute and doubled Croydon’s advantage nine minutes later after Josh Millwood failed to cut out a cross.

The result plunges Hastings further into relegation trouble and leaves new boss Jason Hopkinson still searching for his first point.

Elsewhere, Sidley United were convincing 4-1 winners at home to Westfield in round one of the Hastings & District FA Senior Cup.

Jason Taylor and a Terry Payne penalty put Sidley two-up in 13 minutes. Taylor added a third on the hour, and although Joe Barham pulled one back three minutes later, Sean Kelly restored the three-goal cushion two minutes after that.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.