Phoenix Sports vs Hastings United – League Preview
Saturday 14th March sees Hastings United travel northwards on the A21 for their next Isthmian League encounter, on this occasion a match against Phoenix Sports.
Form and status
United are on a three-game winning streak having beaten Sittingbourne, Burgess Hill Town and last weekend a compact and well-organised Whitstable Town. This run includes scoring nine goals and conceding just two. Four of those goals are courtesy of the in-form Ben Pope who now has a fantastic twenty-five for the season.
United’s six-game form is four wins, one draw and one defeat, which has lifted them from eighth to sixth in the form guide table on thirteen points.
The latest round of games, United beating Whitstable coupled with an Ashford defeat, resulted in the ‘U’s moving three points clear at the top of the table. Not forgetting United still have two games in hand over their closest rival. It certainly was an excellent weekend!
_____
Phoenix Sports are 9th in the league after winning thirteen games, drawing twice and losing twelve. In terms of their home form, they’ve won seven times and lost six. Not a home draw in sight. Notable home victories include beating Cray Valley (2-0) and Haywards Heath (1-0).
Phoenix’s six-game form is three wins, one draw and two defeats, which places them ninth in the form guide table on ten points. And they’ve won their last two games, a 3-0 home win against Sittingbourne and last Saturday an impressive 1-0 away win at Haywards Heath.
Away from the league Phoenix reached the semi-final of the Kent Cup, including a 2-1 away win at Ashford in the quarter-final, before losing 1-5 away to Dartford.
Recent meetings
The sides met in the middle of November when United were 2nd in the league and Phoenix were 5th. United came out on top with a 3-1 win. Jack Dixon scored a brace either side of a Jake Elliott goal.
Bottom line
Ten games remain for United, four at the Pilot Field and six away. Whilst there are plenty of points still to play for the ‘U’s are in a strong position, they are playing good football, scoring plenty of goals and conceding few. Yet, of course, being in this position means the opposition will be even more ‘up for it’ and with back-to-back victories Phoenix will certainly be looking to throw a spanner in the works.
Match information
The game kicks off at 3pm, Mayplace Ground, Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath, DA7 6JT
Admission is £9 for adults, £5 for concessions and Under-16’s free (with paying adult)
Bob Quinn
Twitter: @BobJQuinn