United focus on their own game

Sean Ray reckons his Hastings United side should just focus on themselves rather worry about how their relegation rivals are getting on.

The fight to avoid the Ryman Premier bottom four became a whole lot more intriguing last weekend after Leatherhead pulled off a shock victory at play-off hopefuls Cray Wanderers.

The result narrowed Hastings’ cushion over the drop zone to six points and Leatherhead, who despite the win still occupy the final relegation place, have home games to come against already down Horsham and virtually down Aveley.

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“We’ve just got to look after ourselves and not worry about anyone else,” said player-manager Ray. “If we keep playing as we have been then we should get the points to stay up.”

Hastings kick-off a hectic schedule of four games in 10 days starting with a trip to 16th-placed Carshalton Athletic today (Saturday).

Three points at the War Memorial Sports Ground would lift the U’s above their opponents and put them in good spirits going into the home game against FA Trophy semi-finalists Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

“We’ve got a massive opportunity on Saturday. Psychologically the higher up the league you are the more confident you feel so we’ve got to make sure we take this chance,” added Ray who returns to the squad after a three-match touchline ban.

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Hastings, who have already amassed two more points than they managed in the whole of last season, were intending to sign on a central midfielder and goalkeeper as emergency cover for the run-in.

TODAY’S SENIOR FOOTBALL FIXTURES (ALL 3PM)

Ryman League, Premier Division: Carshalton Athletic v Hastings Utd.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Pagham v Rye Utd; Sidley Utd v Chichester City.

Division 2: Midhurst & Easebourne v Bexhill Utd; Westfield v East Preston.