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Stadium: Pilot Field (Capacity: 4,050)
Table Position: 10th
Top Scorer: Femi Akinwande (2)
Manager: Paul Barnes
Nickname: The U's
2023/24 average attendance: 912
Concord Rangers are back on the road this weekend with Sammy Collins' side travelling to Sussex to take on Hastings United.
The U's underwent a huge shake up this summer with manager Gary Elphick alongside most of the squad that got promoted from step four two years ago departing Pilot Field.
Former Dulwich Hamlet boss Paul Barnes has since taken charge of the club and has thus far enjoyed an unbeaten start to life as Hastings manager - recording one win and two draws.
On the other hand new Concord boss, Sammy Collins, hasn't enjoyed quite as much success with the 34-year-old still awaiting his first point in management following a 2-1 loss to Margate last time out.
However Collins will be able to take some comfort in the fact that Concord are somewhat of a bogey team for Hastings; unbeaten in six against the U's since 2010.
Although having said this, Hastings haven't lost at home since January (their only defeat at Pilot Field in 2023) whilst Concord haven't won away since March.
Three points will be vital for the Beach Boys in order to get their campaign up and running ahead of their island derby with Canvey on Bank Holiday Monday.
Key Player
Femi Akinwande
A former Beach Boy who has enjoyed a fine start to life at Pilot Field following his summer switch from Carshalton Athletic with two goals in three games.
Last season Akinwande was the Robins second highest scorer with 11 goals to his name, one of which came against Hastings in February, and looks on track to beat that number with a fast start to the new campaign.
The 27-year-old spent the 2017/18 season with Rangers scoring five goals before departing to Haringey Borough.
Akinwande has also previously seen playing time with the likes of Dartford, Colchester United and Stevenage.
Familiar Faces
Only one member of both squads has played for Hastings and Concord and that is the aforementioned Akinwande.
Hastings' new Swiss attacker Davide Rodari returned for a second spell with the U's this summer. On Good Friday of last season he bagged a brace for Worthing against Concord in the Beach Boys' 7-0 defeat.
Another new face at Hastings, Adam Lovatt, was part of the Farnborough side that beat Concord 2-1 in injury time in March.
Hastings goalkeeper Charlie Grainger played in goal for Dulwich Hamlet at the Aspect Arena last August. The game finished 1-1 thanks to a Ricky Modeste equaliser 15 minutes from time.
Form
Hastings United
D - 1-1 vs Cheshunt (H)
D - 0-0 vs Whitehawk (A)
W - 2-1 vs Dulwich Hamlet (A)
Concord Rangers
L - 0-3 vs Enfield Town (A)
L - 1-4 vs Hashtag United (H)
L - 1-2 vs Margate (H)
Recent meetings
02/02/2013: Concord Rangers 4-0 Hastings United
08/12/2012: Hastings United 2-2 Concord Rangers
07/04/2012: Hastings United 1-1 Concord Rangers
10/09/2011: Concord Rangers 2-2 Hastings United
23/11/2010: Concord Rangers 2-1 Hastings United
By Nathan Williams
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