FOOTBALL: United Unbeaten in Opening Games
HUGH SULLIVAN
Fielding an almost entirely new line-up of players, Hastings United have started the new Isthmian League season in a mood that suggests they can build the trust of local supporters quickly.
Femi Akinwande (in white) in action for Hastings at Whitehawk
A crowd of nearly 1,000 came to Pilot Field on the opening day, 12 August, to see them entertain visitors Cheshunt, relegated in April from the National League, and match them in an even contest that ended 1-1. Femi Akinwande, who has dual English and Nigerian citizenship and played the odd game in League 2 for Colchester United among his many previous clubs, scored for the ‘U’s from the penalty spot after a foul on Davide Rodari.
The following Tuesday they played at Whitehawk, a team promoted from the South-East Division and featuring several former United players who have migrated there over the summer. The result was another draw, this time 0-0, but if that suggests a match low in incident, it was anything but. Last season’s captain Jack Dixon was so anxious to impress for his new team that he got himself sent off within nine minutes; Ryan Worrall, another midfielder who jumped ship from Hastings with him, was also red-carded in the 75th minute, leaving their new team-mates to play out the rest of the game with only nine men left on the field. United will have been disappointed in these circumstances not to force a win.
They did better, however, four days later when they travelled to one-time famous amateur club Dulwich Hamlet in south London to play in front of a near-2,000 crowd. New ‘U’s manager Paul Barnes had managed Dulwich in the first part of last season in the National League South, though parting company before they were relegated. He will have enjoyed his return, as his new charges emerged 2-1 victors, scoring early through Akinwande, being pegged back to 1-1, then re-taking the lead in the second half with a direct free kick driven in by Dom Vose. Jason Fregene was sent off lateron for a second yellow-card offence, and then Vose had a penalty saved by the Dulwich keeper, but it was the visitors’ day, and the good proportion of the crowd who had driven up from Hastings celebrated noisily.
Next up (tomorrow, Saturday, at Pilot Field) are a third team relegated from the National League South at the end of last season, Concord Rangers, who hail from Canvey Island. The ‘U’s were originally to be without any fixture on Bank Holiday Monday, but the schedule has been re-arranged so that more habitual opponents Cray Wanderers will now come visiting that afternoon. Big home crowds can be expected to greet the club’s new owners – Dean White in particular – and their new-look team.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply