United target top six finish

United face a daunting opening fixture against big-spending Ifield Edwards on the back of some slightly disappointing pre-season results. But reserve team manager Chas Tibbutt, who believes Ifield, Crowborough and Franklands Village will be the frontrunners, is confident that an improvement on last season's mid-table finish is on the cards.

He said: "I would like to think top half and then top six - that's got to be a realistic goal. There's a lot of encouragement down there despite the pre-season results (4-3 loss at Wick, 6-2 reverse at Worthing United and 6-0 defeat at Eastbourne United Association).

"I think they will be stronger than last year. Last year was very much a settling in season after the merger (with Bexhill Athletic) and there's been a lot of things learnt from last year that will hold the club in good stead for this season.

"The aim is to get off to a far better start than this time last year. I think it's important from a confidence point of view. It gives the players and the club a boost and builds confidence."

Three new faces have arrived at the Polegrove over the summer. Conrad Sparkes has returned to the club after a spell in the East Sussex League with Little Common and will be pushing for a starting role after impressing during pre-season. Keiran Martin joins an ever-expanding contingent of Hastings-based youngsters at the club while Aaron Heritage will slug it out with Adam Taylor for the goalkeeper's jersey following the work related departure of Neil Cheek. Guy Bentley has retired from Sussex League football but will play for the club's East Sussex League teams.

Danny Collins is expected to be out for around four weeks with a knee injury.