Hastings United vs Whitstable Town – League Preview
On Saturday 7th March, Hastings United welcome Whitstable Town to the Pilot Field for an Isthmian League match as we head into the final two months of the season.
Form and status
After another postponement last weekend, thankfully Tuesday evening’s game survived, and we finally got to watch some first-team football again. United followed up their home win against Sittingbourne with an even more impressive win away to Burgess Hill Town.
Impressive not only in the score line but in the manner of the victory too. A controlled performance full of pace, aggression, patience where necessary and assurance throughout. The last two games have seen a welcome return to form with seven goals scored and only Burgess Hill’s last second penalty conceded.
The ‘U’s six-game form is now three wins, two draws and one defeat, which has lifted them from twelfth to eighth in the form guide table on eleven points.
And in the most important table, United remain second to Ashford United on goal difference. Both teams are level on fifty-nine points though the ‘U’s have two games in hand, which have now been rearranged. Firstly, a trip to Chichester City on Tuesday 24th March and then another evening out this time over to Hythe Town on Tuesday 7th April.
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Whitstable Town are 14th in the league after winning nine games, drawing eight and losing ten. In terms of their away form, they’ve won four, drawn two and lost seven times.
The Oystermen’s most notable away performances this season are a two – nil triumph at Guernsey and a commendable one – one draw at Chichester City. But they’ve also suffered some heavy defeats on their travels including at Sevenoaks, Whitehawk and Herne Bay.
Whitstable’s six-game form is three wins, one draw and two defeats, which places them ninth in the form guide table on ten points. Though those three victories were at the start of the sequence and they lost one – nil at VCD last weekend.
Away from the league Whitstable have reached the semi-final of the Kent Cup after beating Ramsgate in the quarter-final.
Recent meetings
The sides met at the beginning of December with United coming away from the Belmont Ground with a three – one win. A second-half Gary Elphick brace, adding to Davide Rodari’s early goal, were enough to bring home three points.
Bottom line
Perhaps it is too early to be counting down the games to play, after all United still have eleven fixtures remaining. That’s more than a quarter of the overall campaign. Even so, as we approach the point where games to play will be in single figures the excitement is going to build and build, and build a bit more. With only five home games left and the weather set fair, the Pilot Field is definitely the place to be this Saturday.
Match information
The game kicks off at 3pm, the Pilot Field (Elphinstone Road, TN34 2AX)
Admission is £10 for adults, £6 for concessions with Under-16’s free (as normal)
Bob Quinn
Twitter: @BobJQuinn