Hastings United vs Sevenoaks Town – A preview of Saturday’s top of the table clash
Action returns to the Isthmian league on Saturday 5th October when Hastings United welcome South East Division league leaders Sevenoaks Town to the Pilot Field. Prepare yourself for a top of the table clash with only a solitary point separating the teams after seven games, writes Bob Quinn.
Each team has started the season in rude-health. Both have headed the table, and neither will want to concede ground in what is developing into a close fought battle at the top. It is also proving to be tough staying at the summit. The number one spot has already been occupied by six different teams.
Chris Agutter’s side will be eager to be back playing, after a free weekend, and determined to maintain their 100% home record.
Form and status (league games)
In their previous league game, United were frustrated to be held to a goalless draw away to VCD Athletic while Sevenoaks beat Faversham Town 3 – 1 at home, results which saw United relinquish top-spot to Saturday’s rivals.
United sit 3rd in the table on 15 points, their form shows a sequence of win-win-draw. Meanwhile our visitors Sevenoaks are top with 16 points having won their last three games.
The teams
United are unbeaten in the league this season, and their robust defence has been breached just once in seven games. That’s six clean sheets for goalkeeper Louis Rogers and the back-four. It’s a remarkable and unrivalled statistic across all four Isthmian leagues. Their home form is also untarnished having played 3 and won 3. United’s top-scorer is Ben Pope who has hit 5 league goals.
Sevenoaks have themselves only been beaten once in the league, a 1-0 defeat self-inflicted by a late own-goal away to Cray Valley. Overall Sevenoaks’ away form is not too shabby, they have won 3 and lost 1. And they’ve scored eight of their thirteen goals on the road. Sevenoaks’ top-scorer is Kyle De Silva who has also bagged 5 league goals.
All told, there is a vibrant sense of an immovable object about to meet an irresistible force.
Recent meetings – 2018/19
Last season United captured all six points with single-goal victories. First, an early season 3 – 2 away triumph in a to and fro encounter. And United won again on Boxing Day, a 1 – 0 home win which moved the U’s up-to second in the table.
Bottom line
These are two teams who are flying high and, even at this early stage in the season, a win will be a clear statement of intent which will reverberate throughout the top six.
It has all the hallmarks of what should be a cracking game!
Match Information
The game kicks off at 3pm, the Pilot Field (Elphinstone Road, TN34 2AX)
Bob Quinn