Crucial three days for United

Action from Hastings United's goalless draw away to Whyteleafe in October. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

United sit five places from the bottom of Ryman Football League Division One South ahead of successive home games against Whyteleafe today (Saturday) and Corinthian-Casuals on Monday night.

Whyteleafe occupy the final play-off spot of fifth, and have won twice as many away games as they have at home.

Kane said: “Whyteleafe are much better away from home. We need to approach this like a semi-final in the cup. We’ve already beaten them this season in the FA Cup, then played out a goalless draw in the league so maybe Whyteleafe could think of us as a bad omen.”

Casuals are two places and two points better off than United with five games in hand. Both clubs have picked up seven points from the last 24 available.

Kane said: “They have to travel down the A21 on a Monday night and it’s a must win game. We’ve been competitive in every game and made ourselves difficult to beat; we need to keep this going.”

Sam Cruttwell could be fit for today’s game and Evan Archibald is expected to be back after illness, but Fraser Logan is still doubtful.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Ryman League, Division 1 South: Hastings Utd v Whyteleafe.

Macron Store Sussex County League, Division 2: Oakwood v Bexhill Utd; Westfield v Mile Oak 2.

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

Macron East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Ore Athletic v Hollington Utd; Peche Hill Select v Sedlescombe Rangers; Robertsbridge Utd v Ninfield Utd.

Division 1: Hawkhurst Utd v Mountfield Utd; Hollington Utd II v Sidley Utd; Sandhurst v Ticehurst.

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

Division 3: Hooe Sports v Visick; Ninfield Utd II v Hastings Rangers.

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

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

Division 6: Battle Baptists III v Hawkhurst Utd II; FC Westridge v Sandhurst II; Icklesham Casuals II v Hampden Park Utd; Punnetts Town II v Robertsbridge Utd II.

Birchwood Group Challenge Cup semi-final (1.30): Iden v Battle Baptists.

Wisdens Sports Challenge Cup semi-finals (1.30): Eastbourne Rangers v Bexhill AAC; Wadhurst Utd v Old Hastonians.

Little Marabou Challenge Cup semi-finals (1.30): AFC Hastings v Peche Hill Select II; Sovereign Saints v Eastbourne Athletic.

Eastbourne Coach Finishers Challenge Cup semi-finals (1.30): Orington v Hailsham Athletico; Ticehurst II v Grasshoppers Old Boys.