United target place in cup semi-finals

The U’s take on Bury Town in the quarter-finals of the Alan Boon Ryman League Cup at The Pilot Field tonight (Tuesday), kick-off 7.45pm.

United player-manager Sean Ray said: “The League Cup is a competition I’m taking seriously and I will be putting out as strong a side as possible. Luckily we are at home but Bury are a good side and we will probably start as underdogs.”

It’s been a fair few years since Hastings last made such an impression in their league’s in-house knockout competition.

In fact, you have to go back to their days in the old Southern League for the last time United featured in the latter stages.

They were runners-up in 1999/2000 season when it was sponsored by Dr Martens and five years previously lifted the trophy after seeing off Leek Town over two games.

The teams met on the second weekend of the Premier Division league campaign and Bury - who sit just outside the play-off places in seventh - ran out 5-0 winners at home to fifth-bottom United.

The other last eight ties see East Thurrock United take on Maidstone United, Lewes entertain AFC Sudbury and Lowestoft Town face Canvey Island.

Leading scorer Zac Attwood will return after missing the league trip to Leatherhead on Saturday through suspension, although Matt Whitehead and Nick Gonsalves are cup-tied.

A summary of the match will appear on this website later tonight.