'We are everyone’s cup final at this level' - Hastings United boss Chris Agutter

Chris Agutter believes playing Hastings United is everyone else’s ‘cup final’ this season.
Kenny Pogue celebrates one of his hat-trick goals against Haywards Heath Town. Picture by Scott WhiteKenny Pogue celebrates one of his hat-trick goals against Haywards Heath Town. Picture by Scott White
Kenny Pogue celebrates one of his hat-trick goals against Haywards Heath Town. Picture by Scott White

After having dominated last season promotion was cruelly snatched away from them because of the lockdown, Agutter believes every side brings ‘their best level’ when they play United.

And they face a tough test this week when table-toppers VCD Athletic visit the Pilot Field.

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Hastings United hit five against Haywards Heath Town - but it was the defending ...
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But Agutter is not looking at the table just yet and is confident his side can build on Tuesday’s 5-1 hammering of Haywards Heath Town.

He said: “I think this time last year we played Sevenoaks who were top and we beat them, then we played Whitehawk, who were top, then beat them.

“I really wouldn’t read too much into the league at the minute. With what happened last year we are looking to put what we feel was wrong. But on the flip side to that we are everyone’s cup final at this level. When Faversham got a point here they treated it like a World Cup final.

“It’s great and a privilege for us to have to deal with that pressure and we know when teams are going to play us the are going to bring their best level because we are target to be shot at. But to be fair to the lads, it’s something they thrive on.”

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United may have gone out of the FA Cup last Saturday on penalties to Ebbsfleet but Agutter was full of praise for his side. And he also believes his players made up for a lack of goals in previous games with Tuesday night’s win.

He said: “Saturday we were brilliant. It’s the best we have played since I have been at Hastings.

“We completely dominated them, all that was missing was the end product, but we more than made up for that last night.

“It was really decent. But as I said with the firepower we have got it was only a matter of time before we gave someone a good hiding.”

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Hastings’ injury list grew on Tuesday night with Aaron Capon and Sam Scott added to the already injured Lloyd Dawes, Sam Cruttwell and Ben Ward.

But the good news is Davide Rodari will be in the squad to face VCD Athletic. Agutter said: “The last time he came back from injury was against VCD and he scored. He’s been in full training for two months and now he’s ready to go and that’s really exciting for us.”