Hayling United bid for Hampshire Premier League shock at table-topping Bush Hill

The Humbugs travel to Test Park to face a Bush side who have averaged five goals a game in their opening 11 Senior Division matches.

Top scorer Mark Barker, Callum Draker and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner all fired hat-tricks in a 9-1 slaying of rock bottom Lyndhurst at the weekend.

It took Barker’s seasonal tally to 20 in just 11 league and cup starts.

And the prolific striker certainly has form when it comes to playing against Hayling.

Barker scored an astonishing 14 goals in just three matches against the Humbugs in 2018/19 – the season he belted 62 goals in just 32 appearances.

He netted seven times in a 9-0 HPL Cup rout before hitting four goals in a 5-2 home league victory. In the return fixture on the island, he collected another hat-trick in a 6-1 romp.

Hayling also lost 4-0 at Bush at the beginning of last season but Barker didn’t play in that game.

‘We’re looking forward to this match,’ said Hayling boss Dan Bishop.

‘It should be a good pitch and they’ll look to get the ball down, which will suit us.

‘Bush Hill were the best footballing side in our division last season.

‘But we don’t fear them - I’m sure there will be goals at both ends.’

Former Baffins Milton midfielder George Way is due to make his Hayling debut in Southampton as United seek their first ever HPL win against Bush.

Jack Bishop and Alex Jerrom, though, are both sidelined through injury.

Tuesday’s game will be Hayling’s 12th in the HPL in 2020/21, and their fifth midweek encounter.

‘I think playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday so often has hurt us,’ said Bishop. ‘Players have picked up niggly injuries as a result and we haven’t been able to get a settled side out.

‘Having a month off might help us in a way.’