Guernsey clash could be a treat

Action from the FA Cup tie between Hastings United and Guernsey in September. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The U’s will host fellow promotion hopefuls Guernsey in a hotly anticipated Ryman Football League Division One South fourth versus third encounter at The Pilot Field.

White said: “It’s huge; everybody knows it’s huge. Everyone’s talking about the Peacehavens and Leatherheads, but I think technically and football-wise, Guernsey are the best team we’ve played this year on both occasions. If the pitch is as good as it is now, it should be a bit of a treat for everybody to watch.”

Accompanied by their large and vocal travelling support, Guernsey will make the trip onto the mainland three points better off than United having played four more matches.

The Green Lions are in decent form having picked up 13 points from a possible 15, while United have gained seven points out of nine so far this month.

As White alluded to, the teams have met twice already this season with Guernsey triumphing on both occasions including a 3-2 FA Cup victory at The Pilot Field thanks to an added time penalty from Ross Allen, who has scored 151 goals in 112 appearances for the club including 41 this season.

White, who is yet to lose as a league game as manager or caretaker boss this season, is hoping his players can reproduce the performance they delivered during the encouraging 3-2 win at home to Hythe Town on Monday night.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

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

Sussex County League, Division 1: Rye Utd v Lancing.

Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Haywards Heath Town; Little Common v Midhurst & Easebourne.

Division 2 Challenge Cup quarter-final: Oakwood v Westfield.

Reserve Section (East): Lancing v Little Common; Seaford Town v Bexhill Utd.

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup quarter-final (1.30): Cowfold v Hollington Utd.

Sussex Bluefin Junior Cup quarter-final (1.30): Hollington Utd II v South Coast City.

Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup quarter-final (1.30): Westfield II v Robertsbridge Utd.

Hastings & District FA Junior Cup quarter-finals (1.30): Battle Baptists v Crowhurst; Orington v Wittersham.

ADA East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Iden v Ninfield Utd; Ore Athletic v Rock-a-Nore; Ticehurst v Peche Hill Select.

Division 1: Bexhill AAC v Sedlescombe Rangers; Langney Wanderers II v Crowborough Athletic III; Mountfield Utd v Sandhurst.

Division 2: Hawkhurst Utd v Catsfield; Herstmonceux v Wadhurst Utd; Little Chelsea v Ninfield Utd II; JC Tackleway v Eastbourne Rangers.

Division 3: Bexhill Utd III v Pebsham Sibex; Northiam 75 v AFC Hastings; Old Hastonians v Herstmonceux II; Punnetts Town v Visick; St Helens v Conquest Utd.

Division 4: Burwash v West Hill Utd; Peasmarsh Utd v Mayfield; St Leonards Social II v FC Bexhill; Westfield III v Iden II.

Division 5: Bexhill Rovers v Hailsham Athletico; Herstmonceux III v Battle Baptists II; Victoria Baptists v Magham Down; Wittersham II v Ticehurst II.

Division 6: Hampden Park Utd v JC Tackleway II; Robertsbridge Utd II v Hawkhurst Utd II; Sandhurst II v Orington II; Sedlescombe Rangers III v FC Westridge.

ADA Challenge Cup semi-finals (1.30): Peche Hill Select II v Eastbourne Athletic; Rock-a-Nore II v Bexhill-On-Sea.

Eastbourne Coach Finishers Challenge Cup (1.30): Grasshoppers Old Boys v Catsfield II; Sedlescombe Rangers II v Parkfield.