FOOTBALL: United Up And Running
HASTINGS UNITED 2, HORSHAM 0
HUGH SULLIVAN
Hastings United made an encouraging start to their Isthmian Premier League season last Saturday when they beat Horsham 2-0 at the Pilot Field. They had lost three times to their Sussex rivals at the back end of last season – defeat in the league both home and away, then a 3-0 reverse in the Sussex Senior Cup Final. But, playing now under new manager Danny Bloor and with some key changes in both style and personnel, the ‘U’s merited their change of fortune to come out with all three points after a hard-fought encounter.
Jack Dixon (in claret and blue) in action for Hastings earlier this year
The surface of the Hastings pitch, baked hard by recent sun and blustery wind, made ball control difficult, and combative tackling and covering by both defences limited attacking options on either side. Nevertheless, a crowd of nearly 1,200 were treated to an entertaining end-to-end contest with both sides preferring to hit the ball early and long, rather than essaying the patient build-up of the Agutter era.
The ‘U’s retain last season’s league top scorer Davide Rodari; he was joined up front on Saturday by two former Arsenal youth players, Billy Vigar and Tyrese Briscoe, each making a promising league debut. In midfield, Adam Lovatt, Kian Moynes and Tommy Fagg ran their collective socks off, while full-backs Kane Penn and George Walker made enterprising sorties down the wings. In central defence, Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite had a shaky start but was dominant in the air. Alongside him was stand-out performer on the day, Jack Dixon, who seemed to be everywhere that mattered most, marshalling his fellow-defenders while making a heap of last-ditch tackles, interceptions and blocks on his own account. In goal, Louis Rogers, sporting a flamboyant all-orange kit, showed he has also retained the quick reactions and safe handling skills that marked his previous career at the Pilot Field before he spent last season elsewhere.
TWO PENALTIES
Visitors Horsham, who are among the promotion favourites in this season’s league roster, started rather the brighter: another former Hastings favourite now in their ranks, Daniel Akajaiye, outran the home defence on a couple of occasions early on and set up near-misses. But eventually the ‘U’s responded with more of their own attacks. Walker penetrated down the right wing, and Vigar was shoved from behind as he chased a ball in the Horsham penalty area. The defenders protested in numbers and with vigour against the spot-kick award, but referee Daniel D’Urso, who had an excellent game, was unmoved. Rodari scored with aplomb.
Then, at the other end, a stray hand intercepted a ball from the Horsham right, and a reciprocal penalty was awarded. This time the kick cannoned against the crossbar and bounced over, to leave the ‘U’s still 1-0 ahead at the interval.
They retained their shape and organisation for the second half, but were gradually being pushed back as Horsham upped the pace of their attacks. With 20 minutes remaining, Bloor replaced Vigar and Briscoe with Freddie Legg and Fin Chapman. He was rewarded ten minutes later when a break down the Hastings right wing opened up the visitors’ defence, and Chapman scored with a spectacular volley from the left edge of the penalty area that swerved across the goalkeeper and nestled high in the far corner – a goal worthy of deciding any football match.
The Horsham players seemed to agree, creating little threat of note in the last ten minutes of regular time, nor in the further five minutes added. They will surely have better, or luckier, days ahead. This day belonged to Hastings.
By the time you’re reading this, the ‘U’s will already have played again, away at Whitehawk, and be preparing for tomorrow’s match (Saturday) at home to Bognor Regis Town. Be prepared for further entertainment.
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