FOOTBALL: United Struggle Against League Pace-Setters
9 November: Wingate & Finchley 2, Hastings Utd 1
12 November: Hastings Utd 2, Deal Town 0
16 November: Hastings Utd 0, Cray Valley PM 1
The ‘U’s came up against two of the Isthmian League’s form sides, Wingate & Finchley and Cray Valley Paper Mills, over the last two Saturdays. In both games they defended valiantly and kept their opponents goalless past the three-quarter mark, with goalkeeper Louis Rogers their stand-out performer. But both ended in disappointing defeats, which leave them once again close to the relegation zone. In between, a midweek win against South East Division side Deal Town in the third round of the Velocity (league cup) Trophy gave some solace but, ironically, the draw for the fourth round pitches them back into a return match with Cray Valley on 3 December.
Against Wingate & Finchley, Hastings stayed well in contention during the first half but missed chances to score past last season’s goalkeeper Charlie Grainger, who moved there following the return of Rogers. After the interval the North London side took control, scored from a penalty, and doubled their lead two minutes later. Substitute Fin Chapman scored a 90th minute consolation goal for the ‘U’s.
The match against Cray Valley last Saturday – bizarrely, United’s first home league fixture on a Saturday since August – attracted a crowd of over 1,300 to Pilot Field. Unfortunately, there was little for ‘U’s supporters to enthuse over as the visitors, currently lying second in the table, dominated throughout. A string of saves by Louis Rogers kept them at bay until the 70th minute, when another smart stop was netted on the rebound.
The Hastings team will have been in Sussex Senior Cup action on Tuesday of this week against Bognor Regis Town, then make another long away trip to Hendon tomorrow (Saturday) before two home league matches – against Carshalton Athletic next Tuesday (26th) and Dartford (30th). There’s surely enough talent in the side to arrest their slide down the league table, but interim manager Sean Ray will be keenly aware that they need to start showing it.
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