Manager Jude Macdonald is expecting Whitehawk to have one of their toughest games of the season tonight when they travel to high-flying Hastings.

The U’s sit top of the PitchingIn Isthmian South East having picked up 14 points from their opening six games and are unbeaten.

The Hawks are 16th in the table, with five points from their first five leagues matches of the campaign.

But Macdonald is aware of how stern a test Hastings will provide for his side.

He said: “It will be one of the toughest games of the season.

“It comes at a bad time not in terms of performances, but in terms of recent results.

“We have played really well, bar in one game and should have had a hell of a lot more points.

“However, if we want to be up towards the top of the league at the end of the season then these are the sort of games we need to be winning.”

The two Sussex sides met four times last season.

Two of these came in the league where the Hawks lost 2-0 away from home and then drew 2-2 at the TerraPura Ground.

They also met in the FA Trophy second qualifying round, where they drew 2-2 before the replay saw Hastings narrowly win 2-1.

Despite not beating the U’s last season, Macdonald knows his side can be a handful for any team if they are on their game.

He said: “When we faced Hastings for the first time last season, we lost 2-0 and it was like men against boys.

“In the other league meeting and in the FA Trophy I thought we were the better side and we got a 2-2 draw in both of them.

“When we get the bit between our teeth, we are a force to be reckoned with, as we have a very good squad.

“We have to respect Hastings they are one of the best sides in the division, but we need to not show them too much respect and end up with it being men against boys.”

Tonight’s fixtures 7.45pm kick off unless stated:

Vanarama National League South: Hampton & Richmond v Eastbourne.

PitchingIn Isthmian Premier: Potters Bar v Worthing.

Isthmian South East: Chichester v Three Bridges, Hastings v Whitehawk, Phoenix Sports v East Grinstead, Whyteleafe v Burgess Hill.

Southern Combination Premier: Crawley Down v Broadbridge Heath (7.30pm), Horsham YMCA v Loxwood (7.30pm).

Division One: Wick v Selsey (7.30pm).

Sussex Senior Cup second round: Little Common v Lewes (7.30pm).