Ashford Town v Hastings United - Saturday 6th December 2008

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at  Short Lane Stadium, Stanwell where Hastings United visit Ashford Middlesex. Hastings United found the light last Saturday when a battling win over Wealdstone by the odd goal in three brought an end to a winless sequence of four league games. The decisive goal was a memorable volley from Antonio Gonnella from the edge of the area which sent the technically superior visitors crashing to defeat. Hastings survived a nervy last half hour without conceding to a rampant Wealdstone side.

Travelling mid week to Burgess Hill for the Ryman League Cup, Hastings quickly lost the light along with everyone else, when an electrical fault at the Leylands Park ground necessitated an unwelcome postponement.

For the visit this afternoon to Ashford Town Middlesex, Hastings welcome back midfield dynamo Sam Adams after a one match suspension. He was sorely missed last Saturday in a depleted midfield, which also saw the early departure of Ben White with injury. Hastings opening fixture of the season was the visit to Ashford Town to the Pilot Field, resulting in a 2-1 defeat to the home side.

The visitors were far superior that afternoon and Marc Whitman’s consolation goal on 90 minutes was the only shot on target all afternoon. Ashford are on the fringe of a play off position and in form defender Billy Jefferys was named player of the month with some impressive displays in the Tangerine’s defence. The Ryman league is as congested as ever, with Hastings trailing Ashford by three points, albeit having played two extra games.

A bizarre fact is that together the two clubs have started 36 league games this season and have yet to register a draw. From that perspective at least there should be a decisive result this afternoon, one way or the other.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at Short Lane Stadium, Stanwell

Match Report

Ashford Town (Middlesex) ( 5) Hastings United (4 )

Had Hastings shown the same urgency at the beginning of the match as they did in the opening stages they may have got something from this bizarre game which was littered with schoolboy errors. The Hastings defence was absent for much of the first half and the hosts stormed to a four goal lead. It was a triumph for Gavin Smith, making his 100th appearance for Ashford, as he grabbed a first half hat trick.

His second minute header was adjudged to have crossed the line for the opening goal and then a low shot on the turn on 8 minutes zipped inside the post from 18 yards. The embarrassment continued on 17 minutes when a corner from the left was partially blocked by Rhys Whyborne and Harrison hit the roof of the net. It was one way traffic as Smith nodded in a low long throw by Hollis on 35 minutes to earn the match ball.

The pendulum swung Hastings way and Frankie Sawyer on 37 minutes took advantage of goalkeeper Burgess mis kicking his clearance and further indecision allowed Antonio Gonnella to make it 4-2 on 40 minutes.

With their tails up Hastings needed an early goal to maintain the pressure and momentum. Sadly Josh Jirbandi deflected a low cross into his own net in an endeavour to clear on 47 minutes to make it 5-2, but within 4 minutes the same player scored from close range at the other end to make it 5-3. When Matt Darby hit the goal of the match on 67 minutes to make 5-4, the impossible seemed possible, but strangely the goals dried up at the crucial time.

Roger Sinden at Short Lane Stadium, Stanwell  for Saturday Sport
where it finished
Ashford Town ( Middlesex) (5 ) Hastings United (4 )