U’s kick-off busy festive schedule

Bailo Camara was left out of Hastings United's squad for the visit from Walton & Hersham on Monday night. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

The U’s will begin a run of four Ryman Football League Division One South fixtures in 12 days with a visit from Chipstead today (Saturday).

United manager John Maggs said: “I certainly won’t agree with the decision that’s been made (to abandon the game at home to Walton & Hersham due to a waterlogged pitch), but we have to move on and be prepared for Saturday.”

In-form striker Trevor McCreadie was among the substitutes for the Walton & Hersham game just four days after undergoing an MRI scan on an injured foot.

“Trevor’s worked really hard this week to get himself in shape,” continued Maggs. “The reason he didn’t start is we’ve not got a game now until Saturday so it does give him a little bit longer, but he was fit to play and he might’ve got some minutes on the pitch.

“I’ve had to leave two out tonight, Bailo (Camara) and Charlie Slocombe, and there’s competition for places which is good. Hopefully we can get through the Christmas period without any knocks.”

With heavy rain forecast for today, the area’s football programme could well be affected. Return to this website later this morning for news of the ‘ons and offs’.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

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

Sussex County League, Division 1: Rye Utd v Ringmer.

Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Haywards Heath Town; Little Common v Mile Oak.

Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup, quarter-final (1.30): Westfield II v Ninfield Utd.

Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup, 2nd round (1.30): Hawkhurst Utd v Bexhill AAC.

ADA East Sussex League (2), Premier Division: Iden v Rock-a-Nore; Peche Hill Select v Hollington Utd; Ticehurst v St Leonards Social.

Division 1: Battle Baptists v Langney Wanderers II; Hollington Utd II v Crowborough Athletic III; Icklesham Casuals v Sandhurst; Sedlescombe Rangers v Orington.

Division 2: Eastbourne Rangers v Ninfield Utd II; Herstmonceux v Crowhurst; JC Tackleway v Catsfield; Wadhurst Utd v Wittersham; Windsor v Little Chelsea.

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

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

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

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