United tackle league leaders

The U’s will travel to Faversham Town in Ryman Football League Division One South having been fixtureless last weekend before their Parafix Sussex Senior Challenge Cup round two tie at AFC Uckfield Town on Tuesday succumbed to a waterlogged pitch.

United manager Dom Di Paola said: “We need to get the team gelling and playing games. It’s been so stop-start since we came in. We could’ve done with getting some minutes because there’s some lads who’ve not played much. Adam Hunt’s been out for a month prior to signing, Darren Boswell the same.”

Faversham have won 13 and drawn two of their 18 league games to date, and are easily the division’s highest scorers. United are 22 points and 18 places worse off.

“I’ve seen Faversham twice, and they’re a good unit, really experienced, well-organised, got goals in them, and we’ll have to contend and deal with that,” continued Di Paola.

“Every game in this league is winnable. I think Burgess Hill are a good side, but I don’t think they’re light years ahead of everyone else. If you’re 10% flatter than you should be, the other team will win. If you’re not on it on the day, you’ll get beaten.

“We could get a win; we could go to anyone and get a win. I’ll always go into any game hoping to win and putting a side out to win, but there’s other factors to winning.

“There’s a lack of confidence within the club and players, and that’s going to take time. Every time we lose a game we take a little step back.”

United have a trio of injury concerns, with Di Paola confirming Sean Ray (knee) is definitely out, Joe Shelley (groin) is around 50-50 and Marc Pullan (neck) is struggling.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Faversham Town v Hastings Utd.

Macron Store Sussex County League, Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Mile Oak; Little Common v Wick & Barnham Utd; Westfield v Steyning Town 2.

Reserve Section (East): Lingfield v Little Common; Southwick v Bexhill Utd.

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup, 3rd round (1.30): Ifield v Ore Athletic; Langney Wanderers v Westfield II; Peche Hill Select v Southwick.

Macron East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Battle Baptists v Ninfield Utd; Iden v Sedlescombe Rangers; Rock-a-Nore v Robertsbridge Utd; St Leonards Social v Hollington Utd.

Division 1: Bexhill AAC v Sandhurst; Hawkhurst Utd v Ticehurst; Hollington Utd II v Icklesham Casuals; Mountfield Utd v Sidley Utd; Wadhurst Utd v Little Chelsea.

Division 2: Crowhurst v Northiam 75; Old Hastonians v Pebsham Sibex; JC Tackleway v Herstmonceux; Wittersham v Catsfield.

Division 3: AFC Hastings v Hastings Rangers; Herstmonceux II v Sovereign Saints; Hooe Sports v Eastbourne Athletic; Ninfield Utd II v Peche Hill Select II; Visick v Bexhill-On-Sea.

Division 4: Bexhill Rovers v Peasmarsh Utd; Bexhill Utd III v Burwash; Conquest Utd v Bexhill AAC II; Little Common III v West Hill Utd 1.30; Westfield III v St Leonards Social II.

Division 5: Hailsham Athletico v Battle Baptists II; Mayfield v AFC St Leonards; Parkfield v Wittersham II; Sedlescombe Rangers II v JC Tackleway II; Ticehurst II v Magham Down.

Division 6: Hampden Park Utd v Hawkhurst Utd II; Icklesham Casuals II v Battle Baptists III; Punnetts Town II v Orington; Sandhurst II v Sedlescombe Rangers III.

Hastings & District FA Lower Divisions Cup, 2nd round: Robertsbridge Utd II v FC Westridge 1.30.