Harrow Borough v Hastings United - Saturday 20th December 2008

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Earlsmead Stadium Harrow, where Hastings United visit Harrow Borough

Hastings United have entered into the Christmas festivities somewhat earlier than usual. Just a fortnight ago they generously gave away five goals at Ashford Town Middlesex through slack defending, mostly min the opening period. A courageous second half comeback saw them narrowing the margin to five goals to four, at a time when points were crucial.

Since then,  their defensive generosity in the league  has spilled over to cup games and  elimination has occurred in both the league cup and Sussex Senior Cup. The scores in these games were defeats by 3-2 and 5-2, with serious questions again being raised about defensive frailties. Fortunately persistent rain led to a waterlogged Pilot Field last Saturday, and postponement against
 Boreham Wood, temporarily stemming the goal rush.Certainly the departure of andy ballardand injury to Nathan Russell have provrf costly.

This afternoon United make the journey to Earlsmead Stadium to again play Harrow Borough, who they defeated  3-2 in the FA Trophy earlier in the season. Harrow are just one place below United, with both clubs looking anxiously at the relegation zone. If ever there was a time for the Hastings defence to forget the adage “it is better to give rather than receive” it is this fixture just before Christmas

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at Earlsmead Stadium Harrow

Match Report

Harrow Borough ( 1  ) Hastings United ( 1 )
Hastings earned their first draw of the season after 21 league attempts this season alone in a match between two Ryman League strugglers that rarely set the pulses racing. Countering an alarming tendency to leak goals at the back, Hastings opted for safety in numbers, relying over much on the long balls to Frankie Sawyer to chase. Hastings did start brightly with an early effort from Sam Adams but soon retreated into their defensive shell.
Robin Shroot, just returned from a week’s trial with Birmingham City, was the home danger man and his flighted free kick on 24 minutes was well saved by Nessling as he palmed the ball over the bar.
Hastings opened the scoring on 32 minutes with a well worked training routine. Adams near post corner kick on the left was flicked on by Russell and eventually fell to Frankie Sawyer who, back to goal, hooked the ball over his shoulder for the opening goal.
The second half saw Hastings defending too deeply, perhaps believing that the misfiring home side would continue to frustrate their home supporters. Inevitably Hastings did concede with Robin Shroot firing home from close range but the protest of angry Hastings defenders suggested that there may have been more than a hint of offside in the final execution. Ben White was booked for his protests.
The game belatedly sparked to life after the equaliser, with Sawyer going close and with penalty shouts at both ends which referee Leaf dismissed. So Hastings clung onto an untidy draw, which at least halted a recent alarming dip in league form.

Roger Sinden at  Earlsmead Stadium, Harrow for Saturday Sport
where it finished
Harrow Borough (1) Hastings United (1)