Bognor face an injury crisis ahead of tomorrow’s Ryamn premier trip to Canvey Island.
Full-back James Crane will be ruled out for four weeks with a bruised ankle picked up in the 1-0 defeat at Carshalton in midweek and joins experienced duo Stuart Tuck and Michael Birmingham on the injury list.
Defender Duncan Jupp is also unavailable and boss Darin Killpartrick is desperately trying to bring in a striker and a central defender on loan.
Killpartrick said: “We’ve got four of our best players out so I’ve been on the phone non-stop trying to get some new faces in. We need cover at the back and somebody who is going to get us goals.”
Boss Tony Dolby says it is only a matter of time before Hastings start banging in the goals.
United were denied by a fine goalkeeping display as they were held to a goalless draw at Boreham Wood last Saturday while Sam Adams missed a penalty in the 1-0 defeat to Aveley in midweek.
Dolby will stick with striker Ade Olorunda and Scott Ramsay for tomorrow’s visit of Dartford with only defender Josh Jirbandey missing from the squad.
Dolby said: “The fact we haven’t scored yet doesn’t concern me as if you look at the chances we are creating it is just a matter of time before we start knocking them in. Ade and Scott are proven goalscorers so there is no reason to worry.”
John Maggs will fine his unruly players as he cracks down on discipline at Horsham.
Hornets have already had 12 players booked in two Ryman premier games and Maggs’ assistant Mark Hawthorne was sent to the stands during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Sutton United when seven Horsham players picked up yellow cards.
He said: “I want us to compete physically and not allow teams to boss us around but I won’t put up with silly bookings. We had four for dissent and one for kicking the ball away so those players will be hit in the pocket.
“At this rate we’re going to be playing an important FA Cup tie in three weeks without two or three players. The boys have got to learn you can’t win with referees.”
Hornets entertain bogey side Harrow Borough at Gorings Mead tomorrow with doubts over striker Pat Harding, who missed the Sutton game because of flu and has not been able to train.
Defender Scott Harris will be out until the end of September after a scan revealed he has bone bruising in his right knee. Ben Andrews and Lee Carney picked up knocks on Tuesday but should be fit.
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