‘Let’s get back to being hard to beat’

Action from Hastings United's 3-2 victory over Worthing in November's reverse fixture. Picture by Stephen Goodger

United have won just two of their last seven matches and their place in the Ryman Football League Division One South play-offs is starting to come under threat.

White wants to rediscover the formula which yielded five wins and a draw from the opening six games of the season when he and Mark Stapley led the side in a caretaker capacity.

“We’ve got to get into these play-offs by fair means or foul,” said United’s manager. “I’ve tried to send the team out to play fancy football. At the start of the season I sent out teams that were going to be hard to beat and play with a bit of passion, and that’s what I’m going to go back to now.

“As much as I would like to go out and play flowing football, I’m not judged on that. I’m judged on points gained and positions in the league. “At the start of the season we were getting a goal when we were on top in games and nicking a point or three, but the luck seems to be going against us at the moment.”

Fifth-placed United still hold the final play-off spot, but in-form Merstham are now only two points behind them, albeit having played an extra game. The first of United’s nine remaining matches is at home to Worthing this afternoon (Saturday).

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

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

Sussex County League, Division 2: Bexhill Utd v AFC Uckfield 2; Wick & Barnham Utd v Westfield.

Reserve Section (East): Bexhill Utd v Hurstpierpoint 4.30; Hailsham Town v Little Common; Westfield v Newhaven.

National Christian Cup semi-final: Bethel v Battle Baptists 2.30.

ADA East Sussex League, Premier Division: Hollington Utd v Rock-a-Nore 1.30; Ninfield Utd v Robertsbridge Utd 3.30; Peche Hill Select v Ore Athletic; Ticehurst v Iden.

Division 1: Bexhill AAC v Sedlescombe Rangers; Hollington Utd II v Crowborough Athletic III 3.30; Icklesham Casuals v Sandhurst; Mountfield Utd v Orington.

Division 2: Ninfield Utd II v Hawkhurst Utd 1.30; Wadhurst Utd v Little Chelsea; Windsor v Herstmonceux; Wittersham v JC Tackleway.

Division 3: AFC Hastings v St Helens; Bexhill Utd III v Rock-a-Nore II; Conquest Utd v Northiam 75; Herstmonceux II v Pebsham Sibex; Punnetts Town v Eastbourne Athletic.

Division 4: Bexhill-On-Sea v Sovereign Saints; FC Bexhill v Peasmarsh Utd; Peche Hill Select II v West Hill Utd; St Leonards Social II v Mayfield; Westfield III v Burwash.

Division 5: Battle Baptists II v Little Common III; Grasshoppers Old Boys v Herstmonceux III; Hailsham Athletico v Victoria Baptists; Magham Down v Wittersham II; Sedlescombe Rangers II v Bexhill Rovers.

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

Hastings & District FA Junior Cup semi-final: Old Hastonians v Catsfield 2.30.