FOOTBALL: United Resume Winning Ways
4 November:
Hashtag Utd 1, Hastings Utd 2
11 November:
Hastings Utd 3, Kingstonian 2
HUGH SULLIVAN
How much of sport is talent, how much is work, how much luck, how much self-belief? Supporters of Hastings United will have been wondering about each of those elements, as their team has resumed winning ways under returning manager Chris Agutter.
Davide Rodari – a trademark shuffle
The new-look United side were unbeaten in their first eight league and cup matches up to mid-September. They then lost seven of the next eight matches, their only success a narrow victory in the inconsequential Sussex Senior Cup over South-East Division side Three Bridges. Exit their short-lived manager Paul Barnes on the heels of a couple of apparently key players. Re-enter Agutter after an absence of two years. And – lo and behold – an immediate return of good results: four wins out of four prior to Tuesday’s home game against Carshalton (taking place after this paper has gone to press).
There do not seem to have been any radical differences in the way the team has been set up by Agutter, though the loss of Femi Akinwande as principal striker has forced a somewhat different approach in attack. Davide Rodari played as an outright centre forward in last Saturday’s game against Kingstonian – not the battling physical presence which Akinwande, and before him Ben Pope, used to provide, but always a goal threat.
ENTER TOMMY PENFOLD
Meanwhile, Craig Stone, United’s key central defender over the last five years, has departed for Ramsgate, but has been immediately replaced by Tommy Penfold, recruited from Isthmian Premier rivals Cray Wanderers. The same pivotal role seems to be expected of the new recruit. Agutter told the Hastings Observer last week: “Seeing Craig move on is a huge loss, but I’m really pleased to sign Tommy. I coached him when he was a 13-year-old 5-foot winger, and he’s now a 6-foot 5-inch centre-half.” On the league website Agutter describes him as “a big and powerful left-footed centre back who will add quality, physicality and personality to the team. Most importantly, he’s the right type of character that we want to see in a Hastings United shirt.”
Away at Basildon side Hashtag United on 4 November, the ‘U’s took the lead midway through the first half with a Jason Fregene goal, were immediately pegged back to 1-1, went ahead again shortly after halftime through Tayo Oyebola, then absorbed a lot of pressure to keep the 2-1 scoreline intact till the finish. Penfold, playing the whole of the second half as a substitute, made a promising debut.
HEAVY PITCH
Last Saturday’s opponents Kingstonian, although without an away win in the league this season, had beaten Hastings at Pilot Field in the FA Trophy on 7 October during the latter’s losing streak, and for much of the game seemed very capable of repeating that victory. In bright autumnal sunshine but on a heavy pitch clogged with recent rain, the ‘U’s methodical possession football created nothing of note. Midfielders Adam Lovatt and Jamal Lubanga both sat deep, and the home crowd (numbered at 883) became impatient at the lack of engagement up front. A long-range effort from right back Sam Okoye was virtually their only shot of a dismal first half.
Charlie Grainger, in the home goal, was much the busier of the two keepers, and after 18 minutes conceded a penalty when Penfold lost his bearings and misjudged a high ball hoisted over his head. Kingstonian duly scored, and the ‘U’s were frankly fortunate to turn around only 1-0 down.
Agutter brought on Freddie Legg in place of Lubanga at the start of the second half, deploying him to push up the right wing and provide more physical assistance to Rodari in the centre. Immediately, there was forward momentum that had been previously absent. The equalising goal came from a traditional route: a long throw by another of Agutter’s former academy protégés, Ollie Black, a ricochet, and a back post prod by Fregene. Three minutes later John Ufuah chased a long ball out of defence and screwed his cross back to Rodari, who had found a pocket of space beyond the penalty spot. With a trademark shuffle, the Swiss forward bamboozled the defender in front of him and rifled in with his left foot: a scintillating strike to put the ‘U’s 2-1 up.
Kingstonian were quickly back on level terms when Grainger, unbalanced by an opponent’s challenge, dropped a corner over his own line. But Hastings remained in the ascendancy, and soon Penfold – making up for his first half error – headed powerfully in from a corner at the other end. The remaining 20 minutes, plus five of added time, were vigorously contested, but with Adam Lovatt careering around midfield and the rest of his team galvanised to protect their lead, there weren’t any undue alarms to shake the final 3-2 score-line.
Talent? Work? Luck? Elements of all three were on show in this performance. But what Agutter certainly seems to have brought to the players on his return is some self-belief. United supporters may dare to share it, as their team ended the day fifth in the league table.
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