Maidstone United v Hastings United - Saturday 3rd January 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Bourne Park, Sittingbourne where Hastings United visit Maidstone United ”

Hastings United are hoping that the New Year will bring them a change of fortune on the field, as the last month or so of the old year have seen an alarming dip in fortune. December brought a return of just one solitary point from three league matches, and they have sunk to a precarious position above the drop zone. The home Christmas fixture saw a defeat at the hands of Tonbridge Angels by a single goal in a match which was generally uninspiring and bereft of goal scoring opportunities for the home side.

Despite their troubled position off the field, with the relocation to a new Stadium still some way off, Maidstone are having a decent run on the pitch. They disposed of Hastings United in sunny August at the Pilot Field by the margin of four goals and are challenging for a play off position. Not bad for a club which was recently reported as being up for sale.

Hastings Manager John Lambert has a selection headache although his squad of players is small and does not present many options. Having tightened up the defence, after a worrying habit of conceding goals by the bucket load, goals have dried up at the other end. Marc Whiteman makes a rare start up front this afternoon in the absence of Frankie Sawyer. It is time though that fortunes changed.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at Bourne Park, Sittingbourne

Match Report

Maidstone United  ( 0) Hastings United (1 )

Dominant Hastings were good value for their excellent win at up for sale Maidstone United, in difficult pitch conditions. The home side, currently in a play off position, were strangely misfiring all afternoon and Hastings missed a hatful of chances before Antonio Gonnella’s match winner. The cause was unwittingly assisted by the absence of leading scorer Frankie Sawyer, resulting in Hastings opting for a strike force of Whiteman and Adams. They combined well and carved out numerous chances.

Maidstone looked most dangerous from Aaron Lacy’s long throws but Greg Nessling confidently commanded the penalty box. Hastings had two clear chances in the  goal less first half to break the deadlock. Sam Adams flighted corner was flicked on by Nathan Russell, only for the ball to rebound from the bar to safety. On the stroke of half time Gonnella raced clear from the half way line but the advancing Steve Northwood was relieved to see Gonnella’s shot clear the bar in a wasteful miss.

The second half saw persistent Hastings pressure, including four consecutive corners, and Marc Whiteman was well placed on two occasions with only goalkeeper Northwood to bet. The deadlock was finally broken on 74 minutes with, fittingly, Gonnella rectifying his earlier miss. He had time to place a shot into the top right hand corner from 20 yards for the crucial match winner.

Manager John Lambert immediately reshuffled, with five midfielders across the park, effectively blunting any final dangers that the home side presented.

Roger Sinden at Bourne Park, Sittingbourne for Saturday Sport
where it finished
Maidstone United (  0   ) Hastings United (   1   )