Hastings tackle FA Cup clash

Hastings United winger Taser Hassan tussles for possession during the 3-0 defeat at home to Tooting & Mitcham United on Monday night. Picture courtesy Joe Knight

The U’s have an important FA Cup second round qualifying tie away to higher grade Grays Athletic at Aveley FC today (Saturday).

United director Simon Rudkins said: “Saturday’s really, really important. Hopefully the players will respond in the right way. We all know how important the FA Cup is in terms of finances. We’re set to make a loss this season and any money we can make from the FA Cup will minimise that.”

Grays are seventh in the Ryman Football League Premier Division with 20 points from 12 games, effectively 36 places above Division One South side United.

A tidy £4,500 from the FA’s prize fund is at stake for the winners. United have already pocketed nearly £5,000 for their victories in the previous two rounds.

Assuming a replay isn’t required, United will host Folkestone Invicta in the league on Monday.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

(Kick-off 3pm unless stated)

FA Cup, 2nd round qualifying: Grays Athletic v Hastings Utd.

Macron Store Sussex County League, Division 2: Bexhill Utd v Wick & Barnham Utd; Little Common v Seaford Town 2; Westfield v Storrington.

Reserve Section Challenge Cup, 1st round: Seaford Town v Bexhill Utd.

Reserve Section (East): Little Common v Lingfield 4.15; Southwick v Westfield.

East Sussex League, Premier Division: Ninfield Utd v Battle Baptists; Ore Athletic v Sedlescombe Rangers; Rock-a-Nore v St Leonards Social.

Division 1: Hawkhurst Utd v Bexhill AAC; Little Chelsea v Wadhurst Utd; Sandhurst v Icklesham Casuals; Ticehurst v Hollington Utd II.

Division 2: Eastbourne Rangers v Wittersham.

Division 3: Herstmonceux II v Ninfield Utd II; Visick v AFC Hastings.

Division 4: Peasmarsh Utd v Westfield III; West Hill Utd v Little Common III.

Division 5: Battle Baptists II v Victoria Baptists; Hailsham Athletico v AFC St Leonards; Sedlescombe Rangers II v Parkfield; Wittersham II v Mayfield.

Division 6: Orington v Sedlescombe Rangers III; Punnetts Town II v FC Westridge; Robertsbridge Utd II v Sandhurst II.

Birchwood Group Challenge Cup, 1st round (2.30): Hollington Utd v Robertsbridge Utd; Iden v Peche Hill Select.

Wisdens Sports Challenge Cup, 1st round (2.30): Catsfield v Herstmonceux; Crowhurst v Old Hastonians; Mountfield Utd v Rock-a-Nore II; Pebsham Sibex v Sidley Utd; JC Tackleway v Punnetts Town.

Little Marabou Challenge Cup, 1st round (2.30): Bexhill Rovers v St Leonards Social II; Bexhill-On-Sea v Bexhill AAC II; Hastings Rangers v Conquest Utd; Hooe Sports v Burwash.

Eastbourne Coach Finishers Challenge Cup, 1st round (2.30): Battle Baptists III v Hawkhurst Utd II; Hampden Park Utd v JC Tackleway II; Icklesham Casuals II v Ticehurst II.