Stage set for biggest game of season

Tom Gilbert delivers a cross during Hastings United's most recent game at home to Burgess Hill Town. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

Hastings United manager John Maggs has described today’s (Saturday’s) game as the biggest of the season.

It will be third versus first at The Pilot Field as United host Peacehaven & Telscombe in Ryman Football League Division One South.

He said: “It’s certainly building up to our biggest game of the season. We’ve turned into the new year and it looks like three or four sides are looking good for a play-off position at least.

“With Peacehaven and ourselves, the result on Saturday is crucial to both clubs. If there’s a side who can stop Peacehaven, it’s us and we’re looking to win. If it’s a draw, nothing changes - it’s still wide open. A defeat would hurt us.”

United have picked up 29 points from a possible 33 on home soil, while Peacehaven - who possess easily the best goal difference in the division having scored far more than anyone else - have won their last seven games in all competitions.

“They’re flying,” continued Maggs. “They don’t just win 1-0; they seem to steamroll sides of late. They win comfortably. From our point of view it’s all in our hands; we’re not relying on other teams. We’ve got to play Peacehaven twice and if we can get two results from it, then we will be in pole position.”

Kick-off at The Pilot Field is 3pm and if you can’t make it to the game, you can get frequent updates by following @SimonNewstead on Twitter.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Hastings Utd v Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Rye Utd v St Francis Rangers.

Division 2: Midhurst & Easebourne v Bexhill Utd 2; Steyning Town v Little Common (pitch inspection 9am); Westfield v Rustington (pitch inspection 8.30am) 2.

Reserve Section (East): Bexhill Utd v Newhaven; Little Common v Hailsham Town; Southwick v Westfield.

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup quarter-final (1.30): Hollington Utd v Cowfold.

Sussex Bluefin Junior Cup, 4th round (1.30): AFC Hastings P Stedham Utd P; The View P Hollington Utd II P.

ADA East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Iden P Peche Hill Select P; Ninfield Utd v Rock-a-Nore; Ore Athletic P Ticehurst P.

Division 1: Langney Wanderers II v Battle Baptists; Orington P Icklesham Casuals P; Sandhurst v Bexhill AAC; Sedlescombe Rangers v Mountfield Utd.

Division 2: Eastbourne Rangers P Catsfield P; Herstmonceux P JC Tackleway P; Little Chelsea P Hawkhurst Utd P; Wadhurst Utd v Crowhurst; Wittersham v Ninfield Utd II.

Division 3: Bexhill Utd III v Punnetts Town (at Punnetts); Eastbourne Athletic P Conquest Utd P; Northiam 75 v Old Hastonians; Pebsham Sibex v Herstmonceux II; Rock-a-Nore II P Visick P.

Division 4: Bexhill AAC II P Westfield III P; Bexhill-On-Sea P Burwash P; FC Bexhill P Peasmarsh Utd P; Peche Hill Select II P Iden II P; St Leonards Social II v Mayfield.

Division 5: Bexhill Rovers v Victoria Baptists (switched to Old Town Rec); Grasshoppers Old Boys P Herstmonceux III P; Hailsham Athletico P Sedlescombe Rangers II P; Magham Down P Wittersham II P; Ticehurst II P Little Common III P.

Division 6: Battle Baptists III P Sandhurst II P; Catsfield II v Parkfield; Hawkhurst Utd II P Hampden Park Utd P; Robertsbridge Utd II P JC Tackleway II P; Sedlescombe Rangers III P FC Westridge P.