U’s desperate to get game on

Hastings United's away fixture against Hythe Town back in August was played in heavy rain. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The weather forecast is promising yet more strong winds and heavy rain from late morning right through the afternoon on the first day of 2014.

United’s award-winning groundsman Simon Rudkins wrote on social network site Twitter yesterday: “Going to bust a gut to get this one.”

The games are already stacking up for a United side which is yet to reach the midway point in its Ryman Football League Division One South programme.

The visit from Chipstead - which succumbed to appalling weather on Saturday December 21 - has this morning been rearranged for Monday January 13, meaning the U’s have midweek fixtures scheduled for every week in January and the first half of February.

Third-placed United came from behind to win 2-1 in August’s reverse fixture against 11th-placed Hythe thanks to a double blast from substitute Kenny Pogue. The U’s have since snapped up midfielder Ronnie Dolan from the Kent side.

Assuming the match goes ahead, kick-off at The Pilot Field will be 3pm. Return to this website tomorrow (New Year’s Day) to find out if it beats the weather.

United are running a supporters’ coach to the away game against Redhill on Saturday, leaving The Pilot Field at 11.45am. The cost is £10 for supporters’ club members, £12 for adults and £5 for under-18s. Email [email protected] to book a place.