Hastings tackle Town in pre-season derby

Hastings United midfielder Matt Bodkin holds off a Welling United opponent at The Pilot Field on Saturday.

Ryman Football League Division One South club United should face a stern test against a Town side which finished second in the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League last season. Kick-off at The Saffrons is 7.45pm.

It will be the fifth of seven pre-season matches for United, who led National League South team Welling United at The Pilot Field on Saturday before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.

After an encouraging first half ended goalless, Frannie Collin put United ahead and they were good value for the advantage until conceding three times in the last 10 minutes or so following the substitution of one-time Chelsea goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley.

United starting XI v Welling: Pidgeley, Davies, Wilson, Watt, Welch, Stannard, Johnson, Bodkin, Butler, Harris, Collin.

Sam Cole and Sam Cruttwell were on target as United drew 2-2 away to AFC Uckfield Town last Thursday night.

Uckfield opened the scoring just before half time, but Cole equalised with a splendid free kick and Cruttwell put United ahead with a long range piledriver before Uckfield levelled things up five minutes from time.

Other than Cole and Cruttwell, other first teamers on show were Simon Johnson, Jerome Smith, Bright Temba, Chris Cumming-Bart and Liam Foster. The squad was completed by development squad and academy players, and triallists.

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