Albion in town for glamour game

A bumper crowd is expected for Hastings United’s prestigious pre-season friendly at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Championship outfit is due to send a squad packed with quality to The Pilot Field today (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.

By the time they visit, Gus Poyet’s Brighton side will have played three pre-season friendlies. They won 5-0 at Maidstone United last weekend and 3-0 away to Lewes in midweek, and were due to visit Dorchester Town last night.

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Hastings chairman Dave Walters said: “They are taking two strong squads to both games (Dorchester and Hastings). There is every chance that (Wayne) Bridge and Vicente will feature in ours as both have been held back due to injury but Gus Poyet has said they will play at the weekend.

“We are very busy with preparations and hope for a big crowd. The last time a club of Brighton’s size came down for a genuine first team friendly was Nottingham Forest some 15 or so years ago and the crowd was in the region of 5,000.

“It won’t be that but I hope that people in Hastings take the opportunity to see not only a genuine Championship side play on their doorstep, but one that is highly fancied to do well and could be a Premier League side sooner rather than later.”

Ticket prices on the day will be £12 for adults and £5 for under-18s. Admission to the main stand will cost an additional £1 for all but space is limited.

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The car park to the north of the ground will be open and patrolled throughout the game, cost £1. Supporters are advised not to park with wheels on or over the kerb if parking on the road as they will in all probability get a parking ticket.