FOOTBALL: U23s are the Future
In contrast to their senior club-mates, Hastings United’s Under-23s team showed no anxiety or nerves in storming to victory over Horsham YMCA in the Sussex Under-23s Cup final played at Lancing last week.
The academy side conceded an early goal, but hit back within five minutes with a deft finish from captain Archie Baker after a fine run and perfectly weighted pass by Charlie Scarles. Horsham had chances to regain the lead either side of the half time interval, but two excellent strikes from winger Ayo Olasimbo gave Hastings a clear advantage, and it was rammed home in the closing minutes with further goals from Elijah Shute and Seb Kane to make the final score 5-1.
Although the competition was billed as for under-23s, United went through it with a squad averaging several years younger, including several 16-year-olds. They had won 5-2 against Little Common and 6-0 over Horsham Crusaders in early rounds, beat reigning cup holders Hassocks on penalties in the quarterfinal (with six of the squad still under 17), and trounced East Preston 8-0 in the semifinal.
Of the team that played in the final, only Joe Clifford has had regular games for the ‘U’s first team in the Isthmian League.
Team manager Jon Gardner said after the final: “I couldn’t be prouder of this young squad. To win the County Cup – and in such emphatic fashion over a strong Horsham side – speaks volumes about their character, talent and togetherness.
“Every one of them has shown maturity beyond their years, not just in the way they played, but in how they prepared, supported each other, and handled the big occasion. This group represents the future of Hastings United, and today they showed exactly why we believe in them so much.”
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