Kane gets straight into action

Action from last season's fixture between Horsham and Hastings United. Picture by Steve Cobb

Barely 24 hours on from his appointment yesterday, Kane will begin his second stint in the United hot seat with an important game away to Horsham. Kick-off is 7.30pm.

Having slid to 20th in Ryman Football League Division One South as a result of taking six points from their last nine games, United are sorely in need of a positive result against a Horsham side five points adrift at the foot of the table.

A victory would move United up a couple of places and they will make the journey to Gorings Mead buoyed by an encouraging display in the narrow 2-1 defeat at home to unbeaten leaders Burgess Hill Town on Saturday.

Horsham have lost all of their last three fixtures, conceding 11 goals and scoring just one, but interim manager Anthony Storey - a former United and Rye United midfielder - has made five new signings ahead of tonight’s clash.

Storey - who is being assisted by former United and Rye United assistant boss Cliff Cant - will be keen to make his mark as Horsham work towards appointing a permanent successor to player-manager Gary Charman, who departed last Friday.

This is the first meeting between the two sides this season, although last term’s three games produced 11 goals and three red cards. United won twice at The Pilot Field, including a stormy FA Trophy tie, and lost away from home.

Three United players - goalkeeper Josh Pelling, and forwards Ashley-Paul Robinson and Evan Archibald - could feature against their former club.

Kane, who steered United to promotion from the same division in 2007, has succeeded Dom Di Paola, who stepped down after the 2-0 defeat away to Hythe Town on New Year’s Day.