Home form key to United survival

The U’s have tumbled into the dreaded fourth and final relegation spot in the Ryman Premier as a result of picking up just one point from their last five matches.

Hastings now have only three games to save their season starting with a must-win clash against sixth-from-bottom Harrow Borough at The Pilot Field tomorrow (Saturday).

They visit third-placed Lowestoft Town the following weekend before ending the campaign at home to mid-table Metropolitan Police on April 28.

“We’ve got to get two home wins plain and simple. Bare minimum,” said player-manager Ray. “If we get six points out of nine and still get relegated you have to say we’d be very unlucky.”

Leatherhead, who not so long ago looked destined for the drop, occupy the final position of safety on goal difference after accumulating 10 points out of a possible 12.

Harrow have also enjoyed a good run of form at the sharp end of the season and picked up four points from their last two matches by following up a 2-1 win at Cray Wanderers with a goalless draw at home to in-form Wealdstone on Wednesday night.

Ray feels the Hastings supporters can play a huge part in preventing his team from slipping into Ryman Division One South and facing trips to the likes of Chipstead, Merstham, Crawley Down and Eastbourne Town.

“What we need is our 12th man. We need a big crowd, we need a noisy crowd and we need the crowd to be behind us and get us through it,” he said.

TODAY’S SENIOR FOOTBALL FIXTURES (ALL 3PM)

Ryman League, Premier Division: Hastings Utd v Harrow Borough.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Rye Utd v St Francis Rangers.

Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Steyning Town; Storrington v Little Common; Westfield v Loxwood.