Battle-weary U’s back in action

The U’s must somehow get their tired legs from the penalty shoot-out victory over Harrogate Town ready for a Ryman Football League Premier Division match away to Thurrock.

And it’s quite an important game too because Thurrock are third-from-bottom with 12 points from 13 games, while United are three places and two points better off.

It’s a tough ask for United to go again so soon after their considerable endeavours against Harrogate and any sort of a result in Essex would represent a very good effort.

Player-manager Sean Ray has rotated his squad in recent weeks to cope with the hectic fixture schedule and it seems inevitable that several of the substitutes against Harrogate will feature today.

The U’s will head up the A21 unbeaten in eight and having lost just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions.

Elsewhere today, Rye United will be desperate to stage their FA Vase third round tie at home to South Park after it was called-off at the first time of asking last weekend due to a waterlogged pitch.

Having been reinstated in the national competition after second round conquerors Amersham Town were discovered to have fielded an ineligible player, Rye will be gunning for a win to set up a last 32 clash at home to Guernsey.

TODAY’S SENIOR FOOTBALL FIXTURES (3PM UNLESS STATED)

Ryman League, Premier Division: Thurrock v Hastings United.

FA Vase, 3rd round: Rye United v South Park.

Sussex County League, Division 1: Sidley United v Ringmer.

Division 2: Saltdean United v Little Common; Storrington v Bexhill United; Westfield v Steyning Town 2.

Follow @SimonNewstead on Twitter for news of any postponements.